Two days to change
everything about how you relate.
Weekly therapy moves slowly. Some relationships don't have the luxury of time. The "Save the Marriage" Intensive is a concentrated, two-day couples experience in Caldwell, NJ — using Terry Real's Relational Life Therapy to break entrenched patterns fast and give you a real foundation to build on.
This isn't a retreat. It's two days of serious work.
The Intensive isn't a weekend getaway or a soft reset. It's structured, focused therapeutic work. The kind that requires both partners to show up fully and be willing to be honest. What makes it different from weekly therapy isn't just the pace. It's the depth. Two consecutive days creates a continuity that individual sessions simply can't replicate, we don't have to restart the engine every week.
The framework I use is Relational Life Therapy (RLT), developed by Terry Real — New York Times bestselling author of Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship. RLT is unusually well-suited to the intensive format because it moves quickly. It's not designed for gradual exploration, it's designed to identify the core relational pattern, name it clearly, and give couples the tools to do something different before they leave the room. Two days is enough to do that. Sometimes two days is all it takes.
People sometimes ask whether two days is really enough time to make a difference. The honest answer is: it depends on whether both people are willing to do the work. When they are, two days is a lot. We go places that weekly therapy can take months to reach, because we don't stop. The momentum matters as much as the method.
I work with couples from Caldwell, West Caldwell, Montclair, Livingston, Verona, and across New Jersey who need meaningful change fast, not in six months.
Apply for an Intensive"What I've seen in Intensives is that couples don't need more time to talk, they need the right container to actually change. Two days, full presence, no interruptions. Terry Real's Us framework gives us the roadmap. The Intensive gives us the time to use it."— Chris Tomkins, LPC · Caldwell, NJ
What two focused days can do that months of weekly sessions often can't.
The Intensive format isn't just a faster version of weekly therapy. It creates a different kind of change. Deeper, faster, and more durable.
Tell me a little about where you are.
I'll take it from there.
The Intensive isn't right for every couple and I want to make sure it's the right fit before we commit. Fill out the form below and I'll be in touch within one business day to talk through your situation and answer any questions.
Email me at chris@tomkinscounseling.com or call 973-500-8892. I'm happy to answer questions before you decide whether to apply.
Why couples choose this Intensive — and me
I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Caldwell, NJ, trained in Terry Real's Relational Life Therapy. The Intensive format is where RLT really shines — the model was built for concentrated, direct work, and two full days gives us the continuity to use it properly. I've worked with couples who came in convinced nothing could change and left with a completely different picture of what was possible.
My office is at 12 Smull Avenue in Caldwell, NJ — just off Bloomfield Avenue — and I'm currently accepting new couples for Intensives. I work with couples from throughout Essex County and across New Jersey. If you're not sure whether the Intensive is the right fit, I'd rather you ask than wonder. Reach out and we'll figure it out together.
Have questions before applying? Email me directly or call — I'm happy to talk through whether an Intensive is right for your situation.
Couples Intensive — your questions answered
What exactly happens during the two days?
Each day runs for approximately 6–7 hours of focused couples therapy work using Relational Life Therapy, with breaks. Day one typically focuses on understanding the relational cycle you're stuck in, where it came from, and what it's costing you both — drawing directly on the RLT framework Terry Real outlines in Us. Day two focuses on building new patterns — practical skills, shifts in how you show up for each other, and a concrete plan for moving forward. The work is structured but responsive to what's actually happening in the room. My style throughout is direct and honest. I am warm toward both of you, firm against the behaviors hurting the relationship.
Is the Intensive right for us, or should we do weekly therapy instead?
The Intensive is best for couples in acute crisis, couples who've stalled in weekly therapy, couples with scheduling constraints, or those who want a concentrated breakthrough rather than a gradual process. Weekly therapy is a better fit for couples who aren't in immediate crisis and prefer a more gradual, ongoing approach. Many couples do both, an Intensive to create a breakthrough, followed by weekly sessions to build on it. I'm happy to talk through which is the better fit for your situation.
Can the Intensive save our marriage if things are really bad?
I won't promise outcomes I can't guarantee. What I can tell you is that I've worked with couples who seemed genuinely out of options and came away with something real. The Intensive creates the conditions for change but both partners need to show up willing to look at themselves, not just at each other. If both of you are willing to do that, the potential is significant.
What if one of us doesn't want to do the Intensive?
It needs to be a mutual decision. An Intensive won't work if one partner is there under duress. If your partner is hesitant, it might be worth scheduling a free consultation first. Sometimes hearing directly from me about what the process looks like is enough to shift that hesitation. I can also meet with you individually first if that's helpful.
Where does the Intensive take place?
The Intensive is conducted in person at my office at 12 Smull Avenue, Caldwell, NJ — just off Bloomfield Avenue in Essex County. I work with couples from across New Jersey, including West Caldwell, Montclair, Livingston, Verona, Roseland, Bloomfield, and beyond. The in-person format is important, the depth of work we do requires physical presence.
How do we prepare for the Intensive?
After you apply and we confirm the dates, I'll send you a brief questionnaire to complete individually before we meet. This helps me understand your history, the specific patterns you're dealing with, and what each of you is hoping for. You don't need to prepare anything else. Just come ready to be honest and open to looking at your own part in the dynamic.
What happens after the Intensive? Is there follow-up support?
Yes. I strongly recommend at least a few follow-up sessions after the Intensive to consolidate what we've worked on and address anything that comes up as you practice new patterns at home. Some couples transition into regular weekly therapy; others check in periodically. We'll talk about what makes sense for you at the end of the two days.
What does the Intensive cost?
Please contact me directly for current Intensive pricing. I'm an out-of-network provider, — superbills can be provided, HSA/FSA accepted. Email me at chris@tomkinscounseling.com or call 973-500-8892 to discuss fees.
Two days.
Everything can be different.
I'm currently accepting new couples for Intensives at my Caldwell, NJ office. If you're not sure this is right for you, apply anyway or reach out. The application conversation is free and there's no commitment until we both agree it makes sense.
12 Smull Ave, Caldwell, NJ 07006 · 973-500-8892 · Essex County, NJ