Package Five: Intensive 2 Day Couples Marathon - Gold Coast (11 hours)
★★★★★ 5 Star Google Review: Retreat 2026: Our session with Ghita was exactly what we needed. She was calm, direct and incredibly intuitive. She didn’t allow us to stay stuck in blame or avoidance, but also didn’t let us bypass the hard truths.
For the first time in a long while, we both felt heard in the same room. She helped us identify the real issues underneath the conflict and gave us practical direction moving forward. It was confronting at times — but in the best possible way. We left feeling hopeful and clearer about what needs to change. Highly recommend for couples who are serious about growth. - Sheree
What is a Couples Counselling Marathon?
A couple’s therapy marathon on the Gold Coast, Australia is one way to create a valuable opportunity to reflect on your relationship and unpack the issues. So, what exactly is a marathon? And how can it help your relationship?
At Ghita Therapy there a four types of retreat/ marathon: Our couples' retreats are specifically for committed people who want to form a deeper connection with each other and/ or to repair.
Couples marathons offer a different container from weekly sessions: In a workshop environment, they allow you to stay with the process and momentum long enough for clarity and for noticeable change to occur. Couples can focus on specific problems and be safely vulnerable with each other - fully supported by a structured format and an experienced relationship counsellor. Often, what might take months of weekly therapy can unfold over one focused day.
Clients are always telling Ghita that they make headway in a much shorter time than in the couples therapy they have tried before.
Two Focused Days: Time to Get Underneath What is Really Happening
A relationship intensive, our marathon for couples in crisis is the perfect package for couples who need more time, depth and support than a one day retreat can offer. Giving you the support that you need, this package involves 11 hours of in-person therapy over two days (often a weekend) with your counsellor Ghita Andersen.
Moreover, the second day builds on the one before. The insights gained will turn into practical change and you will have a workbook to take home to remind you, so that you can practice your new skills.
When: 11 hours over Saturdays and Sundays
Where: Currumbin Beach, Gold Coast.
Availability: As available: The package can be booked directly online by selecting the Saturday start, however other days can be requested.
✅ Marathon Intervention: Who is it for?
✅ Cost Effective
The feedback we get from participants is that many marriages/ de facto relationships have been saved and the skills learned get used almost every day. Which means that retreats are worth it and probably the most affordable Couples Counselling Retreats on the Gold Coast.
Schedule:
The Weekend Breakdown
Designed for couples who have their own accommodation or who live within driving distance, this comprehensive retreat has been a life saver for many couples who were on the brink of separation but wanted to save their families for the sake of their children. Clients have come from Perth, Adelaide and New Zealand to benefit from Ghita's invaluable and sustainable methods for couples repair.
Held in a space that allows you to do exercises properly (without rushing), it gives you time to stay with the real issues, not just touch on a subject and leave. It looks at your family of origin and the relationship programming from your parents.
Day One:
The first day involves a Deep Dive Diagnostic: We begin by understanding both of you, not just the presenting issues. We look at the emotional patterns underneath the conflict. Your values and motives. Your parental relationship patterns and how these have shaped your responses. Eg: How you protect yourselves during conflict.
In the afternoon, we have the couples session where we unpack what we have learned and discuss how it has contributed to where you find your relationship now. By the end of day one you will understand yourself and your partner better.
Day Two:
Day two is the Communication Repair Day: where we work on how you hear, respond and repair. With the information gathered from day one you will now know what your strengths and vulnerabilities are and with this knowledge you will work on creating support for each other and learn how best to communicate - using conflict resolution methods, when life gets stressful.
You will have the tools to stay in discomfort when negotiating your needs or hearing your partner's. The communication workshop involves Active Listening (Invented by Carl Rogers). This will help you to stay in speaking or listening mode instead of reacting automatically (old patterns) and listening to your internal chatter - which was created by old programs.
By the afternoon on the second day, you will feel like you have had a Relationship Bootcamp, but find that there is a sense of hope. This is the place where new ways of responding can start to replace the old cycles. (Of course you have the option of booking in for further training if you so desire.)
'Couples often find the first day is all about unpacking the issues, but by the second day couples can feel there is a lot of traction and they start to feel really hopeful and relaxed.' - Ghita
We Turn the Work Into a Plan You Take Home
To consolidate your two date marathon, Ghita will collate the exercises and print-out sheets for you to take home in your personalised folder. The 'Couples' Relationship Toolbox' is a real RELATIONSHIP BLUEPRINT for you both to practice what you have learned and a plan for how you will handle things when difficult patterns show up again.
A couple’s therapy marathon on the Gold Coast, Australia is one way to create a valuable opportunity to reflect on your relationship and unpack the issues. So, what exactly is a marathon? And how can it help your relationship?
At Ghita Therapy there a four types of retreat/ marathon: Our couples' retreats are specifically for committed people who want to form a deeper connection with each other and/ or to repair.
Couples marathons offer a different container from weekly sessions: In a workshop environment, they allow you to stay with the process and momentum long enough for clarity and for noticeable change to occur. Couples can focus on specific problems and be safely vulnerable with each other - fully supported by a structured format and an experienced relationship counsellor. Often, what might take months of weekly therapy can unfold over one focused day.
Clients are always telling Ghita that they make headway in a much shorter time than in the couples therapy they have tried before.
Two Focused Days: Time to Get Underneath What is Really Happening
A relationship intensive, our marathon for couples in crisis is the perfect package for couples who need more time, depth and support than a one day retreat can offer. Giving you the support that you need, this package involves 11 hours of in-person therapy over two days (often a weekend) with your counsellor Ghita Andersen.
Moreover, the second day builds on the one before. The insights gained will turn into practical change and you will have a workbook to take home to remind you, so that you can practice your new skills.
When: 11 hours over Saturdays and Sundays
Where: Currumbin Beach, Gold Coast.
Availability: As available: The package can be booked directly online by selecting the Saturday start, however other days can be requested.
✅ Marathon Intervention: Who is it for?
- Have you separated or considered separation?
- Do you feel like you are at the eleventh hour?
- Do you want to make some immediate changes but don't know where to start?
- Are you looking to rapidly improve your relationship?
✅ Cost Effective
The feedback we get from participants is that many marriages/ de facto relationships have been saved and the skills learned get used almost every day. Which means that retreats are worth it and probably the most affordable Couples Counselling Retreats on the Gold Coast.
Schedule:
- Day One: Saturday: UNPACK THE ISSUES DAY (5.5 hours)
- Day Two: Sunday: COMMUNICATION REPAIR DAY (5.5 hours)
The Weekend Breakdown
Designed for couples who have their own accommodation or who live within driving distance, this comprehensive retreat has been a life saver for many couples who were on the brink of separation but wanted to save their families for the sake of their children. Clients have come from Perth, Adelaide and New Zealand to benefit from Ghita's invaluable and sustainable methods for couples repair.
Held in a space that allows you to do exercises properly (without rushing), it gives you time to stay with the real issues, not just touch on a subject and leave. It looks at your family of origin and the relationship programming from your parents.
Day One:
The first day involves a Deep Dive Diagnostic: We begin by understanding both of you, not just the presenting issues. We look at the emotional patterns underneath the conflict. Your values and motives. Your parental relationship patterns and how these have shaped your responses. Eg: How you protect yourselves during conflict.
In the afternoon, we have the couples session where we unpack what we have learned and discuss how it has contributed to where you find your relationship now. By the end of day one you will understand yourself and your partner better.
Day Two:
Day two is the Communication Repair Day: where we work on how you hear, respond and repair. With the information gathered from day one you will now know what your strengths and vulnerabilities are and with this knowledge you will work on creating support for each other and learn how best to communicate - using conflict resolution methods, when life gets stressful.
You will have the tools to stay in discomfort when negotiating your needs or hearing your partner's. The communication workshop involves Active Listening (Invented by Carl Rogers). This will help you to stay in speaking or listening mode instead of reacting automatically (old patterns) and listening to your internal chatter - which was created by old programs.
By the afternoon on the second day, you will feel like you have had a Relationship Bootcamp, but find that there is a sense of hope. This is the place where new ways of responding can start to replace the old cycles. (Of course you have the option of booking in for further training if you so desire.)
'Couples often find the first day is all about unpacking the issues, but by the second day couples can feel there is a lot of traction and they start to feel really hopeful and relaxed.' - Ghita
We Turn the Work Into a Plan You Take Home
To consolidate your two date marathon, Ghita will collate the exercises and print-out sheets for you to take home in your personalised folder. The 'Couples' Relationship Toolbox' is a real RELATIONSHIP BLUEPRINT for you both to practice what you have learned and a plan for how you will handle things when difficult patterns show up again.
Currumbin Beach, South Gold Coast
✅ The Skills You Will Learn...
✔️ Unpack the issues: Step by step diagnosis of your baggage.
✔️ Individual session stories: What baggage are you bringing into the marriage mix? And how do you see your partner's behaviours? Are there any counter-productive attachment styles?
✔️ What language are you using? What have you learned from your parents? (Fighting styles: Good and bad).
✔️ Authenticity training: Learning to be honest with each other
✔️ How to fight fair and communicate effectively
✔️ How to listen (Active Listening techniques)
✔️ Understand each others motivations (Love Maps)
✔️ Reduce Distress and Improve Intimacy
✔️ Create Safe Spaces
The Key Benefits of a Retreat:
✅ Privacy: One Therapist per Couple
Unlike some retreats, which have multiple couples, Ghita's intensive workshops are focused on only you, so her energy is not split. An intensive retreat is a workshop for couples who are serious about doing exercises and making major improvements to their relationship, and not just adding some therapy to a spa weekend.
✅ 50 Years of Evidence-Based Relationship Research
Couples Counselling is a process based on decades of research, that has been proven, time and again, to have been a lifesaver for many relationships. The methods included in this retreat to create your personalised 'Marriage Toolkit' are selected from the best of the best methods from around the world. From Andersen, Gottman, Rogers, Perel and Family Dispute Mediation, you can be sure these are tried and true methods...
What Kind of Problems Can be Solved in a Weekend Marriage Retreat?
What Cannot be Solved in a Couples' Retreat?
✔️ Unpack the issues: Step by step diagnosis of your baggage.
✔️ Individual session stories: What baggage are you bringing into the marriage mix? And how do you see your partner's behaviours? Are there any counter-productive attachment styles?
✔️ What language are you using? What have you learned from your parents? (Fighting styles: Good and bad).
✔️ Authenticity training: Learning to be honest with each other
✔️ How to fight fair and communicate effectively
✔️ How to listen (Active Listening techniques)
✔️ Understand each others motivations (Love Maps)
✔️ Reduce Distress and Improve Intimacy
✔️ Create Safe Spaces
The Key Benefits of a Retreat:
✅ Privacy: One Therapist per Couple
Unlike some retreats, which have multiple couples, Ghita's intensive workshops are focused on only you, so her energy is not split. An intensive retreat is a workshop for couples who are serious about doing exercises and making major improvements to their relationship, and not just adding some therapy to a spa weekend.
✅ 50 Years of Evidence-Based Relationship Research
Couples Counselling is a process based on decades of research, that has been proven, time and again, to have been a lifesaver for many relationships. The methods included in this retreat to create your personalised 'Marriage Toolkit' are selected from the best of the best methods from around the world. From Andersen, Gottman, Rogers, Perel and Family Dispute Mediation, you can be sure these are tried and true methods...
What Kind of Problems Can be Solved in a Weekend Marriage Retreat?
- One party or both are contemplating a Separation/ Divorce: Long term distress, resentment and lack of attachment.
- Post-Affair Repair: Delving into impact of the affair. Steps to rebuild trust, to forgive and to move forwards.
- Problems with Communication and Understanding Each Other: A framework for true honesty, vulnerability. Reestablishing a framework of communication
- Problems with Emotional and Physical Intimacy: Emotional distancing, attraction suffers, a cycle of disconnection. Tools for intimacy and trust.
- Living Like Flatmates/ Empty Nest Syndrome: Taking each other for granted, neglecting each other's emotional needs for periods. Reigniting the Flame.
- Mid-Life Crisis of one partner: Certain milestones in career, retirement, life changes etc. can make a person question everything. Coping skills.
- Pre-Marriage Contracts - Negotiating the deals and addressing issues before the problems even begin.
What Cannot be Solved in a Couples' Retreat?
- Abuse/ Toxicity: The core of this work is about establishing a foundation of trust. Every kind of family violence destroys trust and makes it impossible to safely open up to one another. Ghita does not take couples with a history of domestic violence.
- Anti-Relationship Behaviours: Active compulsive behaviours involving substances, gambling, or acting single interfere with relationships - especially trust, safety and finances.
- An Active Affair: A huge part of the retreat is the commitment to each other and the relationship. This is not possible with affairs or open relationships.
- Addictive Behaviours: Self-Sabotage/ Gambling/ Substance Abuse.
✅ Success Stories:
★★★★★ 5 Star Google Review: Marriage Counselling: Couples Package 2023:
Ghita provided real strategies that can be implemented to prevent conflict and more empathy within our relationships. We were able to be truthful and honest within ourselves from better self reflection and then she gave us the tools to be able to communicate our needs effectively. We both learnt how to actively listen to one another and remember the other person's needs are different. Ghita was absolutely warm and welcoming, would definitely recommend her intensive 3 step program, it has saved our marriage. - Nicole Eggleton (Coomera).
★★★★★ Feedback Testimonial Marriage Counselling Intensive 2022
We had been to Couples Counselling before with another counsellor. I was convinced that we were separating and it was too late. This session was very different. Ghita nailed our problem and made us negotiate. After many years of arguing over the same thing, she showed us how to do deals. We should have done a pre-marital agreement long ago. I can see that now. I was of the mindset to leave, but after the two hour couples intensive it turned around for us. Thank you Ghita. - J & A Tovey. (Hope Island, Gold Coast)
★★★★★ Google Review: 5 Weeks Couples Therapy Package 2024
'What a turn around!! My wife and I came to Ghita with very different communication skills. We were feeling EXTREMELY defeated in our marriage and were desperately seeking direction. After just 5 sessions our communication skills are in a place we didn’t know were possible.
It’s been about a month since our sessions and our marriage is still becoming stronger and stronger every day. Ghita is an amazing human. She is smart, professional and extremely passionate about her work. 10 out of 10 recommend!' - Jason Eichenburger (Northern Rivers)
Point of Difference
One of the highest rated Couples Counsellors on the Gold Coast, Ghita Andersen's relationship counselling style encourages a practical, light-hearted environment. And importantly, from her conflict resolution training and practice she uses a white board, so that you can easily identify patterns and cycles. (Sometimes people need a diagram for where they are going wrong.)
Clients are always telling Ghita that they make headway in a much shorter time than in the couples therapy they have tried before.
✔️ Over a decade of experience
✔️ Ghita is a certified Family Dispute Resolution Mediator (FDRP)
✔️ Excellent Reviews and Testimonials | Ghita's Bio
Select Package 5 on the booking portal (Ghita will book the second consecutive day). If booking via phone you can pay via credit card, paypal or bank transfer.
*Spots are limited
One of the highest rated Couples Counsellors on the Gold Coast, Ghita Andersen's relationship counselling style encourages a practical, light-hearted environment. And importantly, from her conflict resolution training and practice she uses a white board, so that you can easily identify patterns and cycles. (Sometimes people need a diagram for where they are going wrong.)
Clients are always telling Ghita that they make headway in a much shorter time than in the couples therapy they have tried before.
✔️ Over a decade of experience
✔️ Ghita is a certified Family Dispute Resolution Mediator (FDRP)
✔️ Excellent Reviews and Testimonials | Ghita's Bio
Select Package 5 on the booking portal (Ghita will book the second consecutive day). If booking via phone you can pay via credit card, paypal or bank transfer.
*Spots are limited
IF YOU ARE STILL READING, YOUR ALREADY KNOW THAT THIS IS SOMETHING FOR YOU.
If conversations keep circling back to the same issues, or you know the relationship needs more focused attention than standard sessions can offer, this retreat gives you two full days to work on it properly."
Complimentary Take Home Couples Workbook
Package Five 2026: Intensive 2 Day Marathon (Couples in Crisis 11 Hours): $2500
Tip: Check our monthly Promo Codes for savings.
Select Your Days: Most days are possible, however Saturday and Sunday are popular because you can book the retreat anytime directly on the booking portal. (If you would like to arrange 2 week-day times, please speak with Ghita as she is flexible on days.
Day One's Schedule: Saturday
DEEP DIVE DIAGNOSTIC:
Individual Sessions:
Day Two's Schedule: Sunday
'Couples often find the first day is all about unpacking the issues, but by the second day couples can feel there is a lot of traction and they start to feel really hopeful and relaxed.' - Ghita
COMMUNICATION REPAIR DAY:
Couple's Active Listening Training Exercises: Truth and Honesty
Over the two days you will collect a practical plan for the future and take home the a worksheet folder with many of the exercises to use at home.
Follow Up:
Your workshop will be followed up with an email after a few weeks to see how you are travelling and whether you need further appointments.
Tip: Check our monthly Promo Codes for savings.
Select Your Days: Most days are possible, however Saturday and Sunday are popular because you can book the retreat anytime directly on the booking portal. (If you would like to arrange 2 week-day times, please speak with Ghita as she is flexible on days.
Day One's Schedule: Saturday
DEEP DIVE DIAGNOSTIC:
Individual Sessions:
- 9am - 10.30am: Individual Session One (One party has a creek/ beach walk, coffee or tea at a cafe) One hour background information and half hour to do the Values Exercise / Limiting Beliefs exercise worksheet (Demartini/ Robbins).
- 10.30am - 12pm: Individual Session Two (One party has a creek/ beach walk, coffee or tea at a cafe) One hour background information and half hour to do the Values Exercise / Limiting Beliefs exercise worksheet (Demartini/ Robbins)..
- 12pm - 12.30pm: Lunch Break
- 12.30pm - 2.30pm: Couples Session: Unpacking the issues. Looking at the elements that both parties bring into the mix of the relationship. Looking at vulnerabilities, differences in values and why the couple trigger each other. Self awareness of patterns from childhood programming. Gender Currencies (Perel) (From vulnerability comes understanding.)
Day Two's Schedule: Sunday
'Couples often find the first day is all about unpacking the issues, but by the second day couples can feel there is a lot of traction and they start to feel really hopeful and relaxed.' - Ghita
COMMUNICATION REPAIR DAY:
Couple's Active Listening Training Exercises: Truth and Honesty
- 9 am - 10.30 am: Party one talks from their truth using the active listening method
- 10.30 am - 12pm: Party two talks from their truth using the active listening method
- Gottman Repair Checklist [Worksheet] (if time permits)
- 12pm - 12.30pm: Lunch Break
- 12.30pm – 2.30pm: What do I need from my partner? And what does my partner need from me? Exercises (Based on answers from the Active Listening exercise in the morning), What did I believe about my partner yesterday that I have reframed today? What did I believe about myself yesterday that I have reframed today? The Family Therapy Model/ Genograms (Satir), Communication Strategies: Code Words for Couples/ Vent or Fix?, (Andersen), Reframing Monkey Chatter and Internal Language (NLP/ Andersen), Appreciation Exercises & Love Maps (Gottman), Eye Gazing Exercise and/ or other Toolbox skills.
- Practising in real time old issues and getting proficient at these methods.
Over the two days you will collect a practical plan for the future and take home the a worksheet folder with many of the exercises to use at home.
Follow Up:
Your workshop will be followed up with an email after a few weeks to see how you are travelling and whether you need further appointments.
Currumbin Retreat Location: Set with beautiful views of Currumbin estuary and five minutes walk to the beach, our Currumbin location offers a cosy, comfortable lounge setting with relaxing herbal teas and espresso coffee. Parking is available on the street, and there is easy access to the local cafes: The Boatshed, The Tarte Beach House, Throwers Fish and Chips, Apperitivo and The Pines - during the breaks. *This retreat is therapy only and does not include accommodation or meals.
Locations and Accommodation Nearby: (Walking distance)
The Rocks Resort and Sanctuary Beach Resort
*We recommend that you book into accommodation the day before and do not travel on the same day as most couples find that they are tired afterwards or want to relax.
Locations and Accommodation Nearby: (Walking distance)
The Rocks Resort and Sanctuary Beach Resort
*We recommend that you book into accommodation the day before and do not travel on the same day as most couples find that they are tired afterwards or want to relax.
Currumbin Beach and Creek
Terms and Conditions of Package Five:
Have a chat to Ghita before booking if you have any questions.
Please read our terms and conditions below before purchasing. By booking this special, you agree to our terms.
Have a chat to Ghita before booking if you have any questions.
Please read our terms and conditions below before purchasing. By booking this special, you agree to our terms.
- Online bookings: Clients book the first day and Ghita books the following day (not on the diary)
- Full deposit is required upon booking this package (Full payment is required to confirm your date).
- Ghita does not accept couples with a history of family violence - including chronic verbal abuse, violence, intimidation, sexual abuse or financial control
- CANCELLATIONS: By booking this package you agree to our cancellation policy: NO REFUNDS WITH LESS THAN 14 DAYS NOTICE: Client Break-ups, Separations, Illness, Babysitting issues and travel problems are not valid excuses for short notice cancellations. We can offer video sessions, however we cannot fill a full diary day at short notice.
- If postponed (with 14 days notice) and credit retained the package is valid for 3 months from purchase date. The package will expire after this time.
- There is no guarantee that your Health Fund will rebate couples counselling. We do not have affiliations with any particular health fund as there are so many. Please check with your provider.
- If for any reason you cannot attend in person, you will be offered an online video session.
- Note: Private home venue: Accommodation and meals are not included. Teas and coffees however are included.
- Note: This type of retreat/ workshop can be used more than once to tackle different issues.
- Agreeing to our terms when booking and then later saying that you did not read them is no excuse
- Disclaimer
Copyright 2026 Ghita Andersen. All Rights Reserved. Photos by Ghita Andersen & Maarlen Noordanus.
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