Couples Therapy Retreats in Ohio.
Cleveland & Cincinnati
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.
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 36 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.
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.
Cleveland & Cincinnati, Ohio.
A Centered Place for Honest Work—Without the Noise.
Ohio offers something quietly special for couples ready to turn toward each other again. From the arts and gardens of Cleveland’s East Side to the riverside charm of historic Cincinnati, this state invites reflection without distraction. It’s not about escaping—it’s about grounding.
Whether you’re strolling through the Cleveland Botanical Garden after a breakthrough session, or decompressing with a slow dinner in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine district, Ohio offers a backdrop that’s calm, culturally rich, and emotionally restorative. No glitz. No pressure. Just space to do the work.
Both of our Ohio offices were chosen with care—for privacy, comfort, and access to beauty. You’ll find warmth, quiet, and the kind of steady presence that helps hard conversations feel more possible. Some couples stay an extra day to let the experience settle in. Others say the shift begins the moment they arrive.
Let this be your turning point—rooted, real, and right here in Ohio.
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:
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:
This isn’t a one-time fix. It’s the beginning of something stronger.
How is all of this done?
You’re not supposed to know.
That’s why we’ve mapped the path—step by step, human to human.
No guessing. No “choose from a list of strangers.”
Just a clear, guided process that starts with listening—really listening—and ends with a match that actually fits.
We’ll walk you through what working with us looks like, how we choose your therapist, and what to expect every step of the way. Whether you’re arriving with doubt, hope, or just a deep sense that something needs to change—we’ll help you take the first real step.
Let’s Begin
It’s easy to pull away.
Harder—but braver—to lean in.