How Much Does a Couples Retreat Cost?

Does your marriage need healing? Has your relationship been neglected? Even when you’re putting in the effort, life can impede your ability to be truly intimate, physically or emotionally. Quality time with your partner can seem like a thing of the past. As time goes on, this takes a toll on your relationship. Despite being well-intentioned, you can end up feeling like there’s a great distance between you.

A couples retreat is a unique way to restore and rebuild your relationship. You can think of it as a mix of couples therapy and a vacation. A couples retreat is an opportunity to escape distractions and devote all of your attention to improving your connection with your partner. 

Maybe the word “retreat” conjures up a picture of luxurious oceanside resorts in faraway places, reserved only for the uber-wealthy. But there are plenty of options for couples on a budget. 

Maybe a retreat makes you think of a backwoods nature scene with hiking and camping. This certainly exists, but if it’s not your cup of tea, don’t worry. Couples retreats can be indoors or outdoors, active or relaxing. They can be down the road or a long plane ride away. In other words, you can find a couples retreat that fits your needs. 

How much do they cost?

A typical marriage retreat is anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 per couple with luxury retreats costing more than $10,000. 

So who are couples retreats for? 

As mentioned before, retreats are not just for the wealthy. If you’re a married couple who’s been experiencing a loss of connection, among other issues, a retreat is perfect for you. However, if you’re not married, a couples retreat can be just as beneficial for you, especially if you’re seeking premarital counseling. 

Essentially, couples retreats are beneficial for any committed couple who want to make changes to their relationship quickly and with lasting effects. 

Some of the common reasons people seek couples retreats:

• Sex and intimacy issues
• Recovery after an affair
• Financial pressure
• Parenting and blended families 
• Empty nest challenges
• Midlife crisis
• Communication problems
• Constant conflicts
• Contemplation ending relationship  

Whether you’ve been facing significant challenges in your relationship or things have been mostly “smooth sailing” the intentional one-on-one time with your partner is sure to bring you closer. 

Are Couples Retreats Worth it?

Whether or not a couples retreat is worth the time, energy, and money depends on the value you put on your relationship. However, one could argue that a happy, loving relationship is a priceless investment.

What will you gain from a couples retreat?

A couples retreat can give you the skills to:

• Strengthen your friendship
• Deepen your understanding of one another
• Spice up your intimacy
• Deal with conflict in a more productive way 
• Prioritize one another 
• Communicate more openly and honestly 
• Discover the values you share

Typically, a couples retreat hosts multiple couples together, with a combination of shared time in a group and time spent with just your partner. Some retreats host big

groups of say 50 couples at a time, while others limit it to less than 10 couples. Many people find a group setting beneficial as it reminds you that “you’re not alone”. You can gain insight from others who are on the same healing journey as you. 

And if you prefer a retreat without other couples, there are private couple retreats where you can receive personalized, special attention.

What Dose a Couples Retreat Consist of?

Couples retreats are intensive which means you can see change very quickly. In fact, a weekend retreat can be equivalent to months of (50-minute) therapy sessions 

A typical couples retreat will include a carefully crafted itinerary that focuses on growing and learning together through shared activities. There’s a mix of individual and group activities as well as one-on-one sessions with the facilitator(s). The facilitators are most often licensed therapists. 

Most commonly a couples retreat will include the following:

• Relationship assessment 
• Individual and couple therapy sessions
• Skill building exercises 
• Take-home materials 

Exercises are designed to improve problem-solving and conflict-resolution techniques, as well as communication skills. But it’s not all serious. There is time allotted for fun activities together and simply enjoying each other’s company. Most couples retreats will have some unstructured time that allows you and your partner to do what you please. 

Even happy couples are competing with the stress of everyday life which can cause couples to drift apart. Work, family, and everything in between can create a “routine of busy” that can stifle the passion you once felt for one another. 

While a weekend couples retreat can be transformative, it’s most effective as a supplement to regular couples therapy. Continue growing your love by tending to your relationship on a regular basis. The Couples Center has experienced therapists that can fit your relationship needs. 

Take the Next Step

Give yourself the gift of a more satisfying relationship, and start with a couples workshop. While most couples retreats are well over $1000, this weekend retreat located in the San Francisco area is only $850 per couple. You can also choose to participate in the workshop virtually. The workshop will focus on communication and intimacy. You’ll receive individualized attention from a relationship expert and not one, but two experienced therapists who are also the founders of The Couples Center - Gal and Liron.