FAQs

Q: What is a first Couples session like?

A: Prior to coming to the initial 2 hour session, you will receive questions to reflect on as well as a document entitled “How to Get the Most out Of Couples Therapy”. The questions will be discussed in the session. The session will explore where you are in your relationship, where you have been and what your intentions and goals are. Many couples feel hopeful after the first session since they have a place to talk about themselves and their relationship in a safe, constructive and positive manner. Each partner leaves with a better understanding of their dynamic and each other.

Q: Do you offer counselling to just one person in a realtionship?

A: Yes, if you are in a couple and are seeking some assistance in your relationship as an individual, Kathleen offers individual counselling from the “relational paradigm”, holding your current relationship in the background. Note: Because of obvious biases, Kathleen avoids seeing couples if one person in the relationship has received individual counselling.

Q: Do you recommend the Couples Weekend Retreat or Couples Counselling?

A: The Couples Weekend Retreat is an educational and experiential weekend designed to give you a breakthrough in your relationship. Research shows that it is equivalent to three to six months of therapy.

Going to a Couples Weekend offers time away from the distractions of home allowing you to focus your attention on each other. Having attained a concrete foundation and learned the practical skills for a successful relationship, ongoing maintenance or a tune-up is often recommended after attending the weekend.

For more intense, deep work that is required, the couple is encouraged to participate in one-on-one private sessions at Kathleen’s office or via zoom videoconferencing. She recommends attending the Couples Weekend either before you start the counselling process to maximize your potential for a connected relationship or soon after the process has started.

Q: Do you recommend attending a private intensive for 2 days or attend the Couples Weekend Retreat?

A: If you want to have your own private time with your partner and learn and practice the tools for connection, then a private intensive is for you. The Couples Weekend Retreat has a group energy experience that accelerates the learning for all and thus cannot be created in a private office setting.

Q: What is a Couples Retreat?

A: Our couples retreats offer a special weekend for you and your loved one to reconnect and reestablish your love for each other. We focus on identifying what obstacles exist in your relationship and help you develop effective methods of communication to address them.

We do this by: 

• Encouraging couples to focus on why they are together in the first place.
• Promoting positivity and effective communication exercises and tools.
• Building a foundation of trust and understanding through an empathetic approach.
• Highlighting the unique struggles that you both face in a relationship.
• Creating a relaxing and stress-free environment where you can focus on being with each other without worrying about your daily struggles.

Relationships are complex and take time, and there isn’t a magic answer to why you may be experiencing problems. But with the right mindset and an empathetic approach, you can rekindle the flame.

Q: What is the schedule of the Banff Couples Weekend Retreat?

A: Hours:

Friday 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Sunday 9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Saturday and Sunday lunch breaks will be 1.5 hours in length. Tea and coffee are provided throughout the weekend.

Q: Where is the Banff Couples Weekend Retreat held?

A:The weekend is held atThe Juniper Hotel.

Q: Is accommodation included in the weekend retreat fee?

A: Accommodation and meals are not included in the weekend retreat fee. If attending the Banff Weekend Retreat, couples are encouraged to stay at the Banff Park Lodge where the weekend is held. This weekend is highly experiential and couples who have stayed at the hotel report that the “retreat atmosphere” allowed them to stay in connection without the common distractions.

Q: Is there a discounted rate at The Juniper Hotel while attending the retreat in Banff?

A:Yes, there are rooms allotted for the event on a first come first serve basis at a reduced rate.

Q: Do I have to stay at the Juniper while in Banff?

A:No, you are welcome to book your accommodation at any location in the area that is preferred.

Q: Where are the Calgary and Edmonton Couples Weekend Retreats held?

A: The locations of these weekends are to be determined and will be announced.

Q: What is the schedule of the Calgary and Edmonton Couples Weekend Retreat?

A: Hours:

Friday 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Sunday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Saturday and Sunday lunch breaks will be 1.5 hours in length. Tea and coffee are provided throughout the weekend.

Q: Is there anything I have to do to prepare for the weekend retreat?

A: Some information will be sent to you about a week prior to the Couples Weekend Retreat. The exercises are requested to be completed prior to attending. The only other preparation is to bring an open mind and heart, curiousity and a desire to have a better relationship.

Q: What is the cancellation policy? Can I cancel or postpone the weekend retreat?

A: A cancellation of 10 or more days prior to the weekend will result in reimbursement less a $100 administrative fee.  Less than 9 days, you may transfer your funds to a future weekend within one year.

Q: How will I know if there is availability at the Couples Weekend Retreat?

A:If there is availability, you will be able to complete the online registration.

Q: How many couples attend the weekend retreats?

A: Typically there are between 5- 10 couples that attend the weekend retreat.

Q: How do I register?

A: If you are paying by MasterCard or Visa you can:

a) Register on-line through our secure server or

b) Call 403.809.8282 or

c) e-transfer to [email protected]

Q: Who are the Couples Weekend Retreats for?

A: The Getting the Love You Want Couples Weekend Retreats are for:

• Couples who have a good marriage or relationship and want to make it even greater
• Couples who are wondering whether there is any hope for their marriage or relationship
• Couples who feel stuck and can’t seem to move forward
• Couples who want to discover the full potential of themselves and their relationship
• Couples who feel their relationship is stagnant or boring
• Couples who are near break-up and want clarification and help
• Couples who seem to fight about the same things over and over
• Couples who are disillusioned in their relationship, feel distant, alone or smothered in their relationship and need new ways of communication
• Couples who want to rekindle their love for one another
• Couples who are separated and want to make sense of themselves and their relationship
• Therapists who want to find a great resource for their clients (and their OWN relationship!)
• All couples regardless of sexual orientation

Q: What are some of the topics that will be covered?

A: Some of the topics that will be covered are:



• What is attraction all about and how do you know if you are with the right partner.
• Information that can help you realize more of your potential as an individual and as a couple
• How your past relationships (family and previous relationships) affect you in your current marriage or relationship
• Tools for transforming conflict into something that can bring you closer together instead of something that drives you further apart.
• Stages of relationship and how you can avoid getting stuck in any one—especially disillusionment/power struggle stage
• Skills in communication and understanding each other (this will be practiced)
• Rituals and tools to help you become successful in changing behaviours to create harmony and connection
• A path to create the kind of marriage or committed partnership you each want
• Skills in connecting with your partner in a way that touches your hearts
• Skills for balancing the need for closeness and separateness

Q: What is the purpose of the weekend retreat?

A: To provide couples with the state of the art tools and information that can empower them to create an exceptional marriage or relationship and also empower each partner to realize his or her full potential as an individual.



Q: Do I have to share with the group?

A: You will not be required to share more than your name with a larger group. Sometimes in small weekend retreats we may ask people to identify their first name and state three things that drew them to their partner when you first met and what brings you to the weekend retreat. Even when we do that, you always have the option to pass.

Q: What about confidentiality?

A: In order to help you everyone feel safe and comfortable, Kathleen emphasizes confidentiality in her weekend retreats and encourages all participants to respect it. Name tags will have first name only. You will never be asked or required to discuss anything you are not comfortable sharing with the group.

Q: Should I try couples therapy first or the Couples Weekend Retreat?

A: For the vast majority of couples, Kathleen recommends experiencing the Couples Weekend Retreat before entering couples therapy or soon after the therapy process has started. Research shows that this weekend retreat is equivalent to 3 months of therapy.

Q: Can just one partner from the relationship attend?

A: Unfortunately, not. The very nature of the weekend retreat promotes interaction and a deeper understanding between the two partners. Both partners must attend and should plan to commit to staying for the entire weekend retreat from start to finish. If your partner won’t attend a couples weekend, consider joining the Individuals weekend entitled – Keeping the Love You Find Weekend Retreat. You will find more information on this website.

Q: Is the weekend retreat religious?

A: No. Care is taken to respect each individual’s personal and religious values without judgement or attempts to change them. Hopefully, those with a religious background will learn to draw on that as a valuable resource in co-creating a successful marriage or relationship. We encourage people attending to use whatever images and language they are comfortable with in incorporating the concepts of relationship.

Q: How do I get my partner to come to a weekend retreat?

A: An invitation to a partner is best rather than an ultimatum or demand. A safe way to encourage attendance is: “I want to be a better partner to you. Will you join me at this Couples Weekend Retreat?” This takes the onus off the partner that they need to change. By coming to a weekend like this, you will learn the skills for a better relationship.

Consider validating your partner’s concerns and objections. Perhaps there is a lack of feeling safe or shame around attending something like this. By validating them, they can relax their defenses.

Engage them in the process of looking at the weekend retreat online and make the decision together versus unilaterally. There are many testimonials from past attendees. This is an educational and experiential weekend retreat designed to help you have a breakthrough and get better connected. It is not group therapy.

Q: Is there any follow up after attending the Couples Weekend Retreat?

A: Yes. Any couple that has participated in the Couples Weekend Retreat is welcome to take part in the Keeping the Connection Monthly Follow-Up calls that are held via zoom videoconferencing on the first Tuesday of each month. The timing is from 7-9pm MT and includes a review of a section from the Couples Weekend. There will be time to dialogue with your partner and ask questions. Drop-ins are available as well as a 3 or 6 month subscriptions (these are consecutive months).

In addition, Advanced Couples Weekends are hosted throughout the year and are announced on the website and newsletters. These weekends provide an opportunity to sharpen your skills and reconnect with your partner using the Imago Dialogue and processes. Other conscious, like-minded couples who have taken the Couples Weekend Retreat will be joining you for inspiration, motivation and encouragement.

Q: If I have a question(s), who can I contact?

A: You can call Kathleen Maiman at 403.809.8282 and have your questions answered. You may also reach her by email by filling out the contact form.