Couples Therapy Retreats in Ohio.

Our Retreat

Private intensives for couples who want change—now, not someday.

Science-based. Emotionally honest.
Grounded in care.

In Ohio, our couples therapy intensives are built to help you stop the spiral—not just talk about it.

We know how easy it is to get caught in the same fights, the same silence, the same distance. And we know how exhausting it is to wonder if things will ever really change.

Whether you’re fighting loudly or drifting quietly apart, we help you name what’s really happening—and practice a different way forward.

Because it’s not enough to talk differently.

You have to live differently. Right there, in the middle of it.

Entrance to a historic brick house in Cincinnati with autumn foliage.

Why a Retreat?

Because one hour a week can’t always carry the weight.

These aren’t ordinary therapy sessions. They’re immersive, private retreats led by seasoned clinicians who know how to go deep, fast—and stay steady when things get hard. Whether you’re on the edge or just tired of feeling disconnected, this is focused, high-impact therapy designed for people who still believe their relationship is worth saving.

Cleveland and Cincinnati offer two distinct but equally rich backdrops for doing this work. One, vibrant with art, culture, and green spaces. The other, warm with Midwestern character and easy calm. Choose the location—and the therapist—that best fits your needs.

Walls keep you safe.
They also keep you lonely.

What Happens During Your Retreat

Your retreat begins long before you arrive. Our team works with you to ensure the process feels clear and grounded from the start. That includes a two-week lead time for submitting your intake materials—because your therapist won’t just scan them, they’ll study them.

We take your time seriously, and we don’t waste it.

More time = deeper work.
More focus = faster insight.
More privacy = fewer defenses.

This isn’t therapy as usual. It’s a reset.

One designed for couples who are ready to stop spiraling—and start rebuilding.

Meet Your Ohio Therapists

Dr. Carolyn Cole

Cleveland, Ohio

Dr. Carolyn Cole brings over 35 years of clinical experience—and a calming, clear-eyed presence—to her private retreats on Cleveland’s East Side. Known for her steadiness and depth, Dr. Cole is especially gifted at helping couples who are conflict-weary or emotionally distant reconnect with purpose.

Whether you’re recovering from betrayal or just tired of talking past each other, she’ll guide you with structure, compassion, and clinical clarity. Her office is warm, welcoming, and just minutes from the Cleveland Museum of Art and Botanical Gardens—an ideal space to pause and repair.

Explore working with Dr. Cole

Debbie Woodall Carroll

Cincinnati, Ohio

Debbie Woodall Carroll is a no-nonsense, big-hearted therapist with a remarkable gift: helping couples move from avoidance to honest connection without shutting down.

Based in Cincinnati, she offers weekend intensives for couples ready to face the hard stuff—with kindness, structure, and a whole lot of hope.

A skilled bridge-builder, Debbie knows how to hold space for both partners, even when trust is shaky or communication has stalled. Her office provides a private, grounded setting for transformative work, just a short drive from the Cincinnati Art Museum and Eden Park.

Explore working with Debbie


Serving couples across Ohio—from Cleveland to Cincinnati.

A Quiet Space to Do the Work That Matters

Ohio holds space for couples in a way few places can. From the private quiet of Beachwood’s East Side to the steady calm of Sharonville, this is a place to slow down, reflect, and do something different.

This isn’t about escaping your life. It’s about returning to it—with intention. Whether you’re decompressing after a breakthrough session or sitting in silence side by side, Ohio offers something quietly rare: room to feel, without the noise.

We chose these offices for a reason. They’re private. Grounded. Easy to reach, but tucked just far enough from the rush. In spaces like these, hard conversations don’t just happen—they land.

Some couples stay an extra day, just to let it settle. Others say the shift begins the moment they arrive.

Let this be your turning point—rooted, real, and right here in Ohio.

Cleveland, OH

Quiet clarity on the East Side.

Our Cleveland-area office sits on the quiet East Side—in a setting that’s private, steady, and built for real work. It’s just a short drive from the Botanical Garden, but feels a world away from daily noise. Focused. Grounded. Unrushed.

“Some couples say the shift begins the moment they walk through the door.”

Cincinnati, OH

Grounded presence.

Just north of Cincinnati, our Sharonville office offers calm without pretension. Tucked inside a quiet professional park, it’s easy to reach—and easy to settle into. No distractions. No pressure. Just time and space to do the work that matters.

“This isn’t therapy as usual. It’s a reset—with structure, clarity, and care.”

The Unseen Cost of Relationship Distress

When connection breaks down, the impact isn’t just emotional.

It spills into your sleep, your health, your parenting, your performance at work.

Even joy starts to feel like effort.

And when you’ve already tried to fix it—when you’ve put in the effort and it still feels like you’re missing each other—the exhaustion runs deep.

You don’t need more effort.

You need guidance. Focus. A therapist who can help you hear what’s really being said.

“Couples don’t fail for lack of love. They fail from a lack of clarity.
That’s what this retreat gives you—space to see clearly, speak honestly, and rebuild with purpose.”
— Dr. Kathy McMahon, Founder, Couples Therapy Inc.

Is an Intensive Retreat Right for You?

Our retreats are designed for couples who are:

  • Facing infidelity, separation, or crisis
  • Stuck in patterns traditional therapy hasn’t shifted
  • Navigating long-distance or high-demand lives with limited time together
  • Preparing for marriage with depth, clarity, and intention
  • Hoping to strengthen an already solid bond

If you’re coping with untreated mental illness, active addiction, or domestic violence, those concerns deserve specialized care—and we’re happy to refer you to professionals who can help.

We are not a fit for every couple.

Still wondering if this kind of retreat is right for you?

It’s not a magic fix. It’s not a pause button.

It’s a working weekend—one that helps you understand yourself and your partner in ways that change what’s possible.

You’ll leave knowing exactly what you need to do next.

Healing takes courage. We work best with couples ready to show up with heart, honesty, and effort.

Connection takes risk.
But so does staying stuck.

After the Retreat

Your retreat may be over, but the shift doesn’t stop there.

You’ll leave your intensive with clarity—and a plan. We offer structured follow-up options to help you maintain momentum:

  • Online check-ins
  • Personalized home practices
  • Continued therapy (in-person or virtual)
  • Annual “reset” intensives, if desired

This isn’t a one-time fix. It’s the beginning of something stronger.

How is all of this done?

We don’t expect you to know. That’s our job.

That’s why we’ve designed a clear, guided process—human to human. No guessing. No “pick from a list of strangers.”

Just a conversation that starts with listening—really listening—and leads to a therapist who truly fits.

We’ll walk you through what to expect, how we personalize the experience, and what it’s like to work with someone who actually gets it.

Whether you’re arriving with doubt, hope, or just a deep sense that something needs to change—this is your first real step.

Let’s Begin

It’s easy to pull away.

Harder—but braver—to lean in.