The HealingLives Center
presents:
HealingLives Marriage Intensive
A Private Weekend for Couples Ready to Fight for Their Marriage
— Cedarville, Ohio
Is This Where You Are Right Now?
Are you and your spouse struggling with any of this?
Feeling like no matter how many times you talk about it, nothing actually changes
Wondering if your spouse has already checked out
Carrying a betrayal that hasn't been healed — or even fully spoken about
Having the same fight, over and over, just with different words
Wondering if you're the only one still willing to try
Grieving the marriage you thought you'd have by now
Not sure whether to keep fighting for this marriage or start letting go
Feeling like a year of weekly counseling hasn't moved the needle
Desperate for real change — not just another conversation about your feelings
If any of this sounds like you, you're not alone, and you haven't run out of options. There is a path forward, and it doesn't have to take another year to find it.
Why a Weekend Can Do What a Year of Weekly Sessions Couldn't
Fifty minutes a week is rarely enough time to get past the surface argument to what's actually underneath it — and by the time you've warmed back up from last week, the session is already over. A Marriage Intensive removes that limitation. Instead of one hour a week, spread thin across months, you get two full, uninterrupted days devoted entirely to your marriage.
That kind of concentrated time changes what's possible. Old patterns get named instead of just repeated. Defenses have room to soften. And for many couples, a weekend is enough to feel something they haven't felt in a long time: real hope that this marriage can be different.
At The HealingLives Center, we believe your marriage is worth fighting for, and that healing is possible even in seasons that feel hopeless. This intensive is built to give you the focused time, the honest work, and the faith-centered support to find out.
What is a Marriage Intensive?
A Marriage Intensive is private, concentrated couples therapy — just the two of you and Dr. Gilbert, with no group setting and no other couples in the room. Over two full days, we go beneath the argument you keep having to the deeper patterns driving it: how you each learned to handle conflict, where trust has been broken, and what safety and connection would actually require moving forward.
The work is clinically grounded and practical, and it's held within a Christian understanding of marriage as a covenant worth protecting. You won't be handed platitudes. You'll leave with language for what's actually happening between you, and a concrete plan for what comes next.
Choose the Schedule that Works for You
The intensive is offered on two possible schedules — pick whichever fits your work and family commitments better:
Option 1: Friday Evening + Saturday
Friday, we can start as early as 4:00 PM and go as late as we need to. A general time frame is 5:00–9:00 PM — Orientation, history-taking, and setting the goals for your weekend
Saturday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM — Full day of intensive work, with breaks built in throughout
Option 2: Saturday + Sunday
Saturday, 10:00 AM–7:00 PM — Full day of intensive work, with breaks built in throughout
Sunday, Church, then we dive in at 1:00 PM – 5:00PM — Continued work, integration, and your take-home plan
(Exact times are flexible and will be confirmed with you ahead of your weekend.)
Your Investment
$4,500 per couple
Your investment covers a pre-intensive consultation call, an intake assessment so your time together is focused on what matters most, the full two days of private intensive therapy, and a written plan to take home for the weeks that follow.
Most insurance plans don't cover intensive formats, but we're happy to provide documentation you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and many couples use HSA or FSA funds toward the cost.
Where We Meet
Your intensive takes place in Cedarville, Ohio — a quiet, unhurried setting away from the noise of daily life, with none of the interruptions of home: no kids underfoot, no phones buzzing with work, no chores pulling your attention away from each other.
Lodging is not included in the cost of the intensive, but a hotel is available nearby, and we're glad to help you with recommendations and booking details once your weekend is scheduled.
Is This the Right Fit for You?
This intensive tends to be a strong fit for couples who:
Are willing to show up honestly, even if you're not sure what the outcome will be
Have tried counseling before but still feel stuck
Are facing a betrayal, an affair, or a loss of trust that needs focused attention
Want clarity on whether — and how — to fight for this marriage
Have schedules or distance that make weekly sessions difficult to sustain
This format is not appropriate as a first step for couples currently experiencing active domestic violence or untreated substance addiction. Those situations need safety and stabilization first, and we're glad to help point you toward the right resources before intensive couples work.
Dr. Corey Gilbert, PhD, LPC
Sex & Gender Expert
Coach, Counselor, Speaker, Author, Researcher
About Your Therapist
Dr. Corey Gilbert, PhD, LPC, founded The HealingLives Center in 2000. He has spent over 22 years as a university professor and more than 26 years in private practice, with a particular passion for marriages in distress, sexual health, and a biblical view of trauma, marriage, family, and parenting.
Dr. Gilbert has been married to his wife for over 23 years and is a father of three. The Gilbert family has homeschooled their children across three states — Georgia, Oregon, and now Ohio. When he's not in session, you'll likely find him on a road trip, riding his Harley, skiing, backpacking, or camping with his family.
Above all, Dr. Gilbert is passionate about God's beautiful design for marriage, sex, and family — and counts it a privilege to watch God do amazing, redemptive work in even the most difficult marriages, all to His glory.
Still Have a Few Questions?
FAQ's To Clear Things Up
If you'd like us to address a concern that's not listed below before purchasing, please feel free to email one of our team members at questions@healinglives.com.
Is this only for couples on the brink of divorce?
No. Some couples come to us at a breaking point, and others come because they don't want to wait for things to get that bad. Wherever you are, the goal is the same: clarity and real progress.
Will we be split up for individual sessions?
No. Your marriage is the focus, so the work happens together, in real time — not through separate conversations pieced back together. We can though. There are some conversations that might be helpful to have one on one in preparation of disclosing to their spouse a difficult revelation. We will do what’s best for you and are flexible to your needs.
Is this a group retreat with other couples?
No. This is entirely private. It's just you, your spouse, and Dr. Gilbert for the full weekend.
What if my spouse is hesitant about coming?
That's common, and it doesn't mean this can't work. Many spouses arrive unsure and leave with a very different perspective once they feel heard in a safe, structured setting.
Do you take insurance?
Most insurance plans do not cover intensive formats, but we can provide a statement for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and many couples use HSA/FSA funds toward the cost.
How do we get started?
Reach out for a brief consultation call. We'll talk through what's going on, answer your questions, and confirm the intensive is the right fit before you schedule.
Take the First Step:
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If you're ready to stop having the same conversation and start doing the real work, we'd love to talk with you.
Book a Zoom Consult with Dr. Gilbert by going to www.HealingLives.com and scheduling your free consultation.
Start by booking a free Zoom consultation with Dr. Gilbert at www.HealingLives.com. Think of this call as a two-way conversation — a chance for Dr. Gilbert to hear where you are, and for you to get a feel for whether he's the right fit to walk with you through this weekend.
Once we've connected and agree this is a good fit, we'll get your intensive weekend on the calendar. From there, you'll receive everything you need to plan your trip — flight and airport suggestions, car rental options, and nearby hotel recommendations.
Book A Free Consult
with Dr G
I'd love to spend a little time with you where we can see if we are a fit for working together. This is an important step in choosing a coach, counselor, or speaker.
+1 706-491-8284 (text first)
Cedarville University campus
Cedarville, Ohio
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