Some things can’t be fixed by chipping away at it…

When you’re stuck in an acute place of distress, sometimes weekly therapy for 53 minute can feel more harmful than helpful in the long-run.

What is Marathon Therapy?

By the time you’ve addressed the paper-cuts of the week, your time is up… and that’s if you have enough time for all of the parties involved to speak their minds. At best, it can feel like you’re making progress on each of the symptoms, but you’re never really addressing the problem. At worst, it can feel like you’re blowing it up and JUST when you start to feel in a groove again, you’re back in session blowing things up. And that doesn’t even mention all the logistical hurdles of aligning schedules, prioritizing goals or focus points for the week, or negotiating in-person, telehealth, or all the non-therapy things week after week… While this approach has it’s place, it’s not the best approach for every person, relationship, or problem.

That’s why Tess offers “Marathon” appointments. These sessions go anywhere from 4hrs to entire weekends, depending on the people involved, the needs of the group, and the goals of the session. In this approach, we get enough time to:

  • Address the historical and individual aspects compounding the situation

  • Identify the goals each person has for the work, and everyone defines successful achievement of those goals

  • Bridge insight gaps between all parties involved

  • Repair historic ruptures

  • Sustainably problem-solve for differences and discuss strategies for getting through future ruptures

If traditional therapy is like going to see your primary care doctor, Marathon Therapy is like going to see a trauma surgeon or infectious disease specialist; they will take a broad look at the systemic factors influencing your health, but each take a more targeted focus on getting your body back to a healthy homeostasis.

Who are Marathon Sessions right for?

Whether you’re romantic or platonic partnership, polycule, friend group, or family system, Marathon Therapy is right for relationships that are “stuck” in acute distress or a persistent pattern of dysfunction and need something more targeted to get them back on track.

Marathon Therapy has been helpful for:

  • Young adults and their parents: Whether negotiating what it means to return from college, get kids “off the family payroll,” or similar points of transition, it can be incredibly helpful to have a mediator present to negotiate a new normal and establish clear expectations.

  • Couples/partnerships/polycules: No matter what constellation of relationship you exist in, or what the relationship conflict is, it’s hard to hold both your needs and the needs of your partner simultaneously. Whether you’re looking to discern if the relationship still make sense, considering making the leap to or from polyamory, or negotiating a major life transition (buying a home, moving, having kids, getting a chronic health diagnosis, etc), it can be incredibly helpful to have a translator there to ensure there’s no breakdowns in communication during major negotiations.

  • Friend groups/housemates: Adult relationships, even non-romantic ones, can be incredibly hard. From values discrepancies to capacity differences, renegotiating needs and expectations with people you care about is incredibly hard. Sometimes you need someone who can help you come up with a clear path to growing up together, or increase acceptance for the ways in which you have grown apart.

  • Individuals: This can also be a good choice for individuals who want to do a deep dive on a specific topic, reality test the feedback they’re getting from their primary therapist, or jumpstart their return to therapy while they’re waiting for a regular provider.

Whatever the conflict is, having someone neutral to reflect back to you what they’re seeing can be an incredibly powerful and joining process for a variety of relational and intrapersonal dynamics. Even better: having someone who can carve out several paths forward, all of which have different potential benefits and consequences, helps to ensure whatever you choose to pursue, it’s the least harmful choice for those you care about (including yourself!).

Unfortunately, insurance does not cover Marathon Therapy and this is an out-of-pocket expense. However, we like to think of this as an investment in your future to reduce the amount of therapy you need long-term.

Traditional Marathon Session

  • Cost: $1500

  • Time: 4 Hours

  • Location: In-Office or Virtual

Extended Marathon Session

  • Prices vary depending on location, duration, and number of people involved. Please send a request for more information to: info@tessagittleman.com.