PACT Couples Intensives | Electra Byers Psychotherapy (NC)

Couples Intensives: Your Questions, Answered

An alternative to weekly couples therapy.

What is a couples intensive?

A couples intensive is focused time—usually 3–7 hours over one or two consecutive days—dedicated to your relationship. Instead of nibbling at the same problem week after week, we set aside extended blocks so you can get traction quickly, practice skills in the room, and leave with clear, doable next steps.

Who is it for?

Couples who are ready to concentrate on their relationship, especially when:

You’re stuck in repeating cycles you can’t stop on your own.
The spark feels dim; you’re more like roommates than partners.
There’s resentment about domestic labor/mental load and it’s building.
You’re navigating betrayal and want a path forward.
You’re new parents and everything feels louder, faster, and closer to the edge.
You’re separating/divorcing and want cooperative co-parenting.
You’re exploring new relationship structures and need clear, fair agreements.

If there’s ongoing violence/coercive control, untreated active substance use, or an immediate safety risk, an intensive is not the right setting. I’ll provide referrals for higher-level or specialized care.

Why this method? (PACT & secure-functioning)

I use the method Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) which treats two nervous systems as one team. In session, we track micro-cues—facial expression, tone shifts, and body signals—and recreate the tough moments safely so you can work through them in real time. Because we stay with what’s actually happening between you, couples often gain traction in fewer sessions, and the long-format structure (sometimes 3–6 hours) allows deeper, lasting change. With your consent, I may video portions of the work to give you immediate, precise feedback.

What this looks like

Moment-to-moment tracking of each partner’s face, body, and voice
Live reenactments of the stuck pattern with coached care & repair
Sessions that exceed the 50-minute hour when helpful (3–6 hours available)
Often faster traction than traditional weekly models
Optional, consented videotaping for in-the-moment feedback

Secure-functioning means designing win-win agreements that protect the relationship—your “couple bubble.” In practice, we emphasize turning toward, repairing quickly, and responding to each other’s bids for connection so safety returns faster and sticks.

What happens in an intensive?

We always begin with a consultation. You can’t book an intensive without it. If we all agree it’s a fit, you’ll complete paperwork before your session or intensive (consent forms, brief questionnaires, and assessments).

Sessions or intensives begin with history and information gathering, airing arguments, and practicing in the moment repairs, skills, and connection.

When and where do you offer intensives?

Virtual (telehealth). You’ll need a private space, strong internet, and your device at eye level so I can see both of you clearly.

Scheduling: I offer intensives on weekdays, evenings, and weekends. A common format is Friday 4–8 pm + Saturday 10 am–3 pm with breaks. One-day or two half-day formats are also available.

Is an intensive better than weekly therapy?

It depends on your goals and bandwidth. Intensives are great when you need momentum, your schedules are tight, or the issue is hot and benefits from extended time. Many couples follow an intensive with one 50–90 minute session within 1–3 weeks to lock in changes. Some continue with periodic follow-ups; others return to weekly therapy (with me or another clinician).

What if one of us is hesitant?

Bring the hesitation. Doubt, questions, and caution are welcome. We always start with a free 50-minute consultation (both partners).

What about betrayal?

Betrayal is identified as any new information that was previously hidden that changes everything. This could be new information, financial choices, or infidelity.

We pace carefully. We’ll stabilize first (safety, boundaries, transparency), then address meaning-making and repair in ways that protect both the hurt partner and the relationship. PACT helps us track nervous-system overwhelm so we don’t flood either partner while still moving the work forward.

We’re new parents. Will an intensive help?

Often, yes. New parenthood can scramble sleep, time, identity, and fairness at home. Intensives give you space to reset roles, re-balance labor and mental load, and create fast, workable agreements for this season.

How should we prepare?

Choose a quiet, private space and test your tech.
Bring water, snacks, and a notepad.
Sleep as well as you can the night before.
Plan a low-key evening after Day 1—no big commitments.

Fees & logistics

We’ll discuss length, structure, and fees on a free consultation and tailor the format to your goals and budget. Intensives are therapy and are available to clients physically located in Colorado, North Carolina, or South Carolina at the time of session. I don’t bill insurance directly; I can provide a superbill for out-of-network benefits.