Relationship Retreat Weekends
Reignite, Renew, and Reconnect Your Relationship
Escape the distractions of daily life and immerse yourselves in a transformative Couples Intensive Weekend on the serene shores of Lake Norman, North Carolina. Designed for couples at every stage of their journey, our carefully curated experiences offer up to 16 hours of immersive therapy, interactive workshops, and enriching activities tailored to your relationship’s unique needs. This intensive growth opportunity is perfect for relationships of any sexual orientation, background, and for those who engage in a variety of romantic orientations. This weekend would benefit those who see the value in couples or family counseling but want to jump-start their therapy journey with intensive work.
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This experience may be a good fit if you and your partner:
Want to move more quickly than traditional weekly therapy allows.
Have tried traditional therapy and would like to build upon the skills you’ve already gained.
Are in crisis, considering separation or divorce, and seeking clarity or renewal.
Wish to address specific issues in the evolution of your relationship, such as life transitions, communication challenges, or sexual concerns.
Feel ready to kick start meaningful change or desire progress to come sooner rather than later.
Are currently feeling stuck in therapy and want to break through old patterns with intensive support.
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This weekend is ideal for couples who:
Both partners want to change things quickly.
Feel distance or distress is becoming increasingly discouraging.
Have schedules that make attending weekly therapy difficult to maintain.
Feel that weekly therapy has stalled or plateaued.
Want to get to the root of their issues in a concentrated, supportive setting.
Value additional privacy or anonymity that their local area may not allow.
Find that the idea of getting away together brings a sense of relief.
This weekend may not be the best fit for couples who:
Are not both invested in participating fully in the process.
Are experiencing active domestic violence or situations where safety cannot be ensured.
Are dealing with active substance abuse without concurrent treatment and support.
Require ongoing crisis stabilization that exceeds the scope of an intensive retreat.
Are currently engaged in an active affair that has not been disclosed or addressed within the relationship.
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The all-inclusive cost for this transformational weekend is $6,500 per couple. This investment covers:
One chef-led interactive cooking experience & dinner
One dinner on the water experience (Charcuterie on a boat at sunset)
Light snacks for breakfast and private yoga session
Comfortable lodging on Lake Norman
16 hours of couples and group therapy
A personalized portfolio of your therapeutic work and progress that includes professional candid photos of experiential activities
Access to chosen excursions and enrichment activities throughout the weekend
Couples often ask if an intensive weekend is truly worth the cost. Consider this: in just a few days, you’ll engage in the equivalent of months of weekly therapy sessions, paired with enriching, relationship-strengthening experiences. The concentrated time together, away from daily stressors, allows you to make breakthroughs that might otherwise take much longer to achieve. You are not only investing in a weekend experience—you are investing in the health, longevity, and joy of your relationship.
Rediscover the joy, passion, and partnership that brought you together. Spaces are limited to ensure an intimate and personalized experience.
Reserve Your Transformational Weekend Today!
Why Choose a Couples Intensive Weekend?
Dedicated Time for Growth – Break free from the routine and devote uninterrupted time to your relationship.
Guidance from Relationship Experts – Work with professionals who provide compassionate support and evidence-based strategies.
Lasting Impact – Take home tools and techniques to sustain your connection long after the weekend ends.
What to expect in an intensive experience.
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What to Expect
Expert-Led Couples & Group Therapy Engage in deep, meaningful conversations guided by Dr. Merrill to foster connection and understanding.
Interactive Experiences Strengthen your bond through hands-on activities, including in-house yoga sessions, cooking classes, and thrilling ropes courses.
Personalized Themes Choose a weekend that aligns with your relationship goals:
Pre-Marital Connections Build a strong foundation for a lifetime of love and commitment.
Long-Term Relationship Tune-Ups Navigate major life transitions such as becoming empty-nesters or other significant changes together.
Sex Therapy & Intimacy Reconnection Explore topics like rekindling intimacy after menopause or discovering new dimensions of pleasure together.
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Comprehensive Treatment Approach
This Couples Intensive Weekend follows a structured yet personalized treatment plan to maximize your progress:
Initial Testing & Assessment We begin with a thorough evaluation of your relationship dynamics, communication patterns, and personal goals through scientifically validated assessments.
Review of Scores & Needs Dr. Merrill will analyze the assessment results, discuss key insights with you, and identify areas for growth and healing.
Tailored Therapeutic Portfolio At the end of the weekend, you’ll receive a customized portfolio recapturing your engaged events, learning activities, and progress in treatment. This serves as a roadmap for sustaining your connection beyond the weekend.
Rediscover the joy, passion, and partnership that brought you together. Spaces are limited to ensure an intimate and personalized experience.
Example Itinerary
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To maximize the impact of your experience, we guide each couple through structured preparation before the weekend begins:
6 Hours of Pre-Weekend Sessions – including intake, individual check-ins, and assessment reviews.
Assessment & Review – Complete scientifically validated assessments to uncover strengths, challenges, and areas of growth.
Goal Setting – Collaboratively identify your personal and relational goals for the weekend.
Objective Alignment – Ensure both partners’ needs and expectations are heard and integrated.
Personalized Schedule Confirmation – Receive a tailored schedule of therapy sessions and activities to best support your relationship.
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Late afternoon arrival
First block of couples therapy
Private cooking lesson & dinner
First group processing session
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8am-8pm
Morning Yoga
Second block of relational therapy
Intensive experiential activity
Break/Lunch (self-determined)
Intensive relational therapy- extended session
Boat & dinner cruise and concurrent second group processing session
Day concludes by sunset
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Intensive relational therapy- extended session
Break
Final group processing session
Late afternoon check-out
Cost Breakdown
To give you a clearer sense of how the $6,500 per couple investment is structured, here is a breakdown of the included elements:
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Accommodations on Lake Norman range from approximately $2,500 for a weekend. The per-couple lodging cost may decrease depending on the total number of couples attending (minimum 2 couples, maximum 6 couples).
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Your weekend includes enriching and restorative activities such as a private yoga session, a chef-led interactive cooking experience, a sunset dinner on the water, and access to a self-chosen interactive activity.
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16 hours of couples and group therapy facilitated by a licensed professional, plus a tailored portfolio documenting your engaged events, learning activities, and progress in treatment.
*The personalized portfolio includes professional candid photos of experiential activities throughout the weekend.
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 3, 4, & 5
Lake Norman, NC
Fall Retreat in Mooresille, NC
This upcoming Intensive Weekend is designed to help established relationships press the reset button on their relationship. Whether you’re looking to reignite your connection, strengthen your communication skills, or simply make space for joy and adventure together, this experience offers a powerful blend of therapeutic work and shared activities. In addition to intensive couples and group therapy sessions, partners will enjoy a private chef-led interactive cooking experience, morning yoga, a ropes course and other team-building challenges at the White Water Center, and a peaceful sunset boat excursion—creating opportunities to connect, grow, and have fun in equal measure.
Space is currently filled.
February 13, 14, & 15
2026
Lake Norman, NC
Rebuilding Romance & Adventure
Our special February weekend will focus on rebuilding romance, embracing new adventures together, and enhancing sexual satisfaction. Carefully planned excursions will nurture intimacy and spark excitement, blending relationship-focused therapy with experiences that bring joy and playfulness back into your partnership. Couples will enjoy activities designed to foster trust and closeness, from heart-pounding challenges at the White Water Center to the indulgence of a private chef-led cooking experience with foods that increase sensual exploration of taste and flavor. Morning yoga will set a calm, connected tone for each day and focus on body awareness and centering, while the sunset boat excursion offers a serene and romantic space to reflect, dream, and connect on a deeper level.
May, 2026 TBD
International Destination, Barcelona, Spain
International Destination Option
For couples seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, we also offer destination-themed intensive weekends in stunning Barcelona, Spain. In partnership with an all-inclusive resort, this option combines 16 hours of intensive couples and group therapy with enriching activities designed to celebrate Barcelona’s vibrant culture. Highlights include a guided bike tour with professional photography to capture your shared moments, immersive food experiences, and plenty of opportunities to explore the city together. Couples may also choose to join with up to three additional couples, creating a group dynamic that allows for shared learning, deeper connection, and a reduced group rate.
Cost TBD
Private intensive couples weekends or private group experiences are available upon request.
About Dr. Erica Merrill
Practicing since 2013, I am passionate about the intersections of mental health, sexual health, and spirituality. I believe in engaging others with compassion, curiosity, and respect both in my professional and personal life. I specialize in helping people develop emotional intelligence to create balance in personal living, social justice advocacy to promote community wellness, and sex-affirming practices to help people embrace themselves and their relationships.
I founded EWC to better address the needs of individuals, families, and communities by challenging stigma surrounding mental health, providing sexual education and support, and fostering compassionate communication. My expertise includes working with diverse relationship structures, particularly in supporting the Consensual Non-Monogamous Community. Through a compassionate and evidence-based approach, I provide the tools necessary to deepen your understanding, enhance communication, and cultivate lasting love.
