Question 1

Why full-day intensive sessions?

Accepted Answer

Many couples find the traditional counseling format of 50-minute sessions every week to be slow and inefficient. To give couples the best opportunity to meet their goals, I schedule full-day appointments to start therapy.  Couples often find intensive sessions provide time to unpack the problems, practice interacting differently, make plans, and experience a change.  Once clients have experienced a full-day session, they may choose this format for continued work on their goals or switch to extended sessions of two or three hours for follow-up care, accountability and maintenance instead.

Question 2

What does a full-day intensive couple session look like?

Accepted Answer

The sessions start at 9:00 in the morning. Couples work together or individually with me for two to three hours before taking an hour lunch break. Clients return in the afternoon for another two to three hours and end by 3:00pm. Clients may schedule just one or multiple full-day sessions. Before scheduling, a brief phone conversation is encouraged to ensure an intensive experience is appropriate.

Question 3

How many sessions will be needed?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your goals and level of distress, you may choose one to six full-day sessions or between 5 and 30 therapy hours. Some couples schedule two or three intensive sessions within a month and then follow up with a one-day session several months later to solidify changes or address new issues.  Other couples schedule one full-day session and then follow-up with several two hour sessions over the next few months.  After your first full-day intensive you are encouraged to discuss with your counselor how you would like to proceed.

Question 4

Are there situations where an intensive program is not appropriate for married couples or relationships?

Accepted Answer

There are about three situations that reduce the likelihood of an intensive program being an effective option for couples. The first is if one or both partners are actively engaged in an affair. The second is if there is an ongoing untreated addiction. The third is if either partner does not feel safe within the relationship due to patterns of violence or abuse. For couples experiencing one or more of these situations, I encourage starting with individual counseling.

Question 5

What if my spouse or partner is not ready to commit to a full-day intensive?

Accepted Answer

Intensives may be done individually if your spouse or partner refuses to attend. However, if your spouse or partner knows that the experience is about understanding both perspectives rather than finding blame, punish or pressure, he/she is more likely to attend. The main goal of the intensive is to get to the heart of your pain and foster connection. We will work to discover what it will take to heal and rebuild your relationship. You do not need to figure everything out beforehand. You can attend the intensive even if your commitment to stay in the marriage or relationship is uncertain.

Question 6

Why are EFT and Gottman Couple Therapy primarily used when providing marriage counseling or couple counseling?

Accepted Answer

Using a collaborative model that combines these two therapies allows me to personalize a program for each couple based on their goals. Emotionally Focused Therapy and Gottman Couple Therapy and two of the most researched modalities for helping couples.

Question 7

Is this a religious or faith-based program?

Accepted Answer

Therapy sessions focus on reaching the goals articulated by clients. Some couples desire for their faith to be incorporated while others do not. Personally, I view God as the designer of life and marriage and have resources that I can bring into sessions if requested. However, I do not expect others to share my belief system and respect my client's wishes on if and how faith might be incorporated into their healing process.

Question 8

Are shorter sessions for individual or couple counseling available?

Accepted Answer

Once couples have completed at least one full-day intensive, shorter two or three hour sessions may be scheduled. Limited individual one hour sessions may be available as well.  Talk to Gina about these options.

Question 9

What days of the week are available for marriage or couple counseling intensives?

Accepted Answer

Intensives are scheduled on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.  Occasionally there are alternate days of the week available but not on weekends.  Shorter sessions are also during the day and not available on evenings or weekends.

Question 10

We want to schedule a full-day session, how do we proceed?

Accepted Answer

Look at your calendars for possible dates that might work on a Monday, Thursday, or Friday within the next three months.  Then call 715-446-0007.  Most likely you will need to leave a message and Gina will call you back as soon as possible. Gina will ask a few questions to make sure an intensive session is appropriate and give you a chance to ask questions as well. If everyone is comfortable moving forward, an appointment will be set, and a link will be sent to both of you via e-mail to access the client portal and fill out paperwork. Call today!

Question 11

How do we prepare for our full-day intensive with Gina?

Accepted Answer

Once you have scheduled an appointment, make sure  each of you received the login e-mail for the client portal.  As soon as possible, login and fill out the forms. This may take 20 to 30 minutes or more, so allow yourself ample time.  These forms will ask you questions about your concerns, goals, health, history etc.  Filling them out will help you articulate what you hope to achieve through our time together and changes you are hoping to make.  I ask that all forms be submitted at least 48 hours in advance to allow me time to prepare for the session.  If you have lost the e-mail, simply hit the Client Portal button on the top of my website to receive a new link.  If you did not receive the link, please give me a call.  I may have entered your e-mail incorrectly.  
Other action steps you could take include: picking out a place to go for lunch on the day of our meeting; reviewing your wedding vows; praying; jotting yourself notes regarding topics or situations you would like to address; or make a list of reasons you love your spouse/partner.

Question 12

How do we get to the office for Link Relationship Counseling?

Accepted Answer

The office is located at 3402 Oakwood Mall Drive, Eau Claire Wisconsin within the Regus building (also shared with Smiles in Motion).  Link Relationship Counseling is on the second floor in office 218.  Once you enter the building, take the stairs or elevator up and enter the Regus side of the building.  There is typically a receptionist there to greet you.  You may wait in the reception area until your appointment time.  Gina will come out to meet you there.

Question 13

What if we need to cancel an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Please call and leave me a message if you are unable to keep your appointment as soon as possible.  This allows me to potentially schedule other clients.  If you provide adequate notice, I will simply cancel your appointment and we can look for an alternate date.  If you cancel within 48 hours, I reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee.