Dr. McNulty specializes in providing weekend "intensives" (also called marathons or retreats) for individual couples 

What are intensives? 

Intensives in our model involve a rapid and comprehensive assessment of a relationship, followed by several hours of focused treatment over a 3 day time period.  The treatment is evidenced-based and focused on the goals most important to both partners. 

What are the advantages of intensive couples therapy versus weekly couples therapy?

Because the sessions occur one after the other without one-week interruptions, intensives offer the equivalent of 3-6 months of couples therapy in just one weekend.  They better position couples to make breakthroughs because the partners can focus uninterrupted on specific concerns. 

When and where do they occur? 

Dr. McNulty is available to conduct weekend "intensive" or "marathon" sessions in Evanston, IL and Bellingham, WA, or through telehealth. These sessions typically take place on Friday evening from 6 PM to 8 PM and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Other times may be possible. 

Half day and one day intensives are also possible for couples who would like to follow after their first full weekend intensive.   

Dr. McNulty's Training and Level of Experience Doing Intensives and Areas of Specialty

Dr. McNulty has completed over 100 intensives in the past six years.  He is a certified Gottman relationship therapist (since 2005) and an advanced trainer for The Gottman Institute (since 2007).  In addition, Dr. McNulty is trained in and practices psychoanalytically informed psychotherapy, drawing upon contemporary theories in his work that emphasize empathy, connection, and secure attachment. He also completed the 4 day externship in EFT, and has taught attachment and trauma at the doctoral level.  He is EMDR trained. 

Dr. McNulty has received training in conducting intensive couples therapy directly from Drs. John and Julie Gottman. He has also been trained by The Gottman's in affair recovery, trauma, and addictions. He is an expert in neurodiversity, and regularly leads The Gottman Institute webinars on neurodiversity.   He also has a strong interest in and has written about ambiguous loss theory, which helps couples dealing with unanticipated losses in their life that are difficult to understand or make sense of.   He has vast experience working with cultural differences. Dr. John Gottman has referred to Dr. McNulty as "the most culturally sensitive man I know."

What couples can benefit from intensive couples retreats? 

Because they are designed to help couples make progress through providing structured, focused,

uninterrupted, evidenced-based assessment and treatment, all couples who are appropriate for couples therapy can benefit from this form of treatment.  

For engaged couples, they can provide an overview of how relationships work and evidenced based ways to approach the common challenge that arise in marriage. They can also be a great option for busy professionals who are unable to commit to weekly therapy sessions. 

They are particularly beneficial for couples who feel that weekly therapy alone lacks the necessary structure to achieve their goals. Intensive couples retreats can be helpful for couples facing challenging situations who need to make a lot of progress quickly.  Examples might include couples pursuing affair recovery, or important divisive issues that are damaging their relationship.  

Finally, they can an excellent experience for couples who are seeking marriage renewal. 

How do I book an intensive with Dr. McNulty?

Click on the link below to contact him.  He will then schedule a 20 minute, no cost, no obligation meet and greet with you. During that meeting, he will explain more about how intensives work and who he works in that context.  He will answer any questions you have about the process. 

If you decide you would like to pursue an intensive,  you then book and pay for it. The cost is $6500 for an intensive. That weekend is reserved for you and your partner.  

Is there any work to do before the intensive? 

Once your intensive is booked, you will be sent links to fill out extensive questionnaires about your relationship.  You will also fill out questionnaires about your life, where you can write as much as you would like to tell Dr. McNulty about yourself, your history, and your perspective on the relationship.  All of that information is reviewed before the intensive, so Dr. McNulty will know you and your partner and your relationship well before the intensive starts.  

For more information on intensives and how they can help your relationship, please contact Dr. McNulty at mikemcnultyphd@gmail.com or call 847-328-0106.