On site & online

Couple
Intensive Days

Working intensively on your relationship, whether acutely or preventively, can always be important and valuable – we are at your side for the next phase of your relationship

On site & online

Your starting sign for the next phase in your partnership

 

You probably didn’t think about couples counseling or couples therapy at the beginning of your relationship. But many couples now seek help before things get difficult. Others sense that there is a fire and that a lot of water is needed to put it out. And sometimes it simply makes sense to use an intensive format to give a concentrated starting signal for the next phase of the relationship.

It is in the nature of a partnership – and your relationship is not the only one – that things change. That you change. That your partner changes. In most cases, change, like stagnation, is a challenge for the relationship. The status quo at the beginning of the relationship cannot be maintained, which can frighten many couples and lead to a crisis.

However, crises also offer the opportunity to come together intensively and emerge stronger. Whether together or individually.

The couple intensive days can show you a way out of the crisis. The aim is to put your partnership on a trusting footing, allowing you to grow and rediscover intimacy. You will learn to understand ingrained relationship patterns and their interactions. You will learn new ways to communicate your needs and desires and to deal with those of your partner differently.

What you can expect

The intensive couple days work best on three consecutive days or within a week.

You can come to us in Berlin-Zehlendorf or participate via Zoom from home.

Session 1: Initial one-to-one meetings

Each partner initially shares their concerns and reasons for seeking counseling with one therapist at a time. Both biographical and current issues have their place in the one-to-one conversation. It should be noted that the open-secret policy applies in our practice, i.e. individual secrets cannot be kept by the therapists if they are addressed by the partner during the course of therapy. Details: approx. 60-90 minutes, 1 therapist at a time

Session 2: The eight-eyes conversation

In an initial joint discussion between you as a couple and two therapists, your concerns are moderated and discussed and dealt with in the presence of your partner in the sense of couples therapy. After the session, you go home with one or more homework assignments. Details: approx. 90-120 minutes, two therapists

Session 3: A Look in the eyes

On the third day, you review the homework and experiences of the last two days in the presence of both therapists – you take stock together and look ahead to the next few weeks. This session concludes the couple intensive days for the time being with further homework and/or recommendations. Details: approx. 60-90 minutes, two therapists

Session 4: Online check-in

Approximately 2-6 weeks after the first three sessions of the couple’s intensive days, 1 therapist will meet with you for a follow-up discussion. Here, open questions, difficulties and successes are discussed, further appointments are made if necessary or the conclusion is “celebrated”. Details: approx. 45-60 minutes, 1 therapist

Possible process

01

Make a non-binding inquiry or book an appointment for an initial consultation directly

02

Have a personal preliminary talk (approx. 10 minutes) and/or make an appointment directly

03

First therapy session on site or online (duration approx. 90 min.)

04

Discuss further course of therapy – usually approx. 5–8 appointments

Intimacy generates
Desire.

– David Schnarch –

Erfahrungen unserer Klient*innen

„Nach Erfahrung mit einer einzelnen Paartherapeutin haben wir bewusst ein Duo gesucht, von dem wir uns beide berücksichtigt und verstanden fühlen. Katharina und Ralf haben das, auch mit ihren unterschiedlichen Ansätzen, voll erfüllt. Wir sind gemeinsam an Grenzen gegangen und haben in der Folge eine neue Mitte zurückgefunden. Danke für unsere gemeinsame Reise und die herzliche Begleitung!“

(Ehepaar, Ende 30, 1 Kind)

„Fragen gestellt zu bekommen, mit denen ich mich direkt auseinandersetzen musste, meine Gefühle dazu anzuschauen, zu fühlen und dann darüber zu sprechen. Und vor allem der Perspektivwechsel – sich eindenken in den anderen, möglichst wertfrei, und schauen was das mit meiner Einstellung, meinen Gefühlen und im Miteinander macht, hat mir geholfen aus der Ich-Perspektive rauszugehen, ohne mich selbst dabei hintenanzustellen. Die Verteidigungshaltung wurde zu einer offenen, neutraleren Anschauung.“

(Ehepaar, seit 15 Jahren)

„Mein Kinderwunsch hatte in unserer sehr glücklichen Beziehung plötzlich für Schwierigkeiten gesorgt, da ich die Befürchtung hatte, ein unerfüllter Kinderwunsch würde am Ende nicht nur mich im Leben unglücklich machen, sondern auch unsere Beziehung enorm belasten. In nur 2 sehr feinfühligen Sitzungen hat sich dieses Problem durch klare therapeutische Fragen und Impulse auf sehr tiefer Ebene gelöst.“

(Paar, Mitte 30)

Submit your inquiry today

Paartherapeut Berlin und Sexualtherapeut Ralf Sturm

Get in Touch

Please feel free to use the contact form for your first inquiry or send us an e-mail directly to: info@middendorf-sturm.de.

You can also leave a message on our answering machine. You can reach us on the telephone number 030 983 759 22

We will get back to you within 24 hours.

We look forward to hearing from you!
Ralf Sturm and Katharina Middendorf

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© Middendorf Sturm GbR, Couples & Sexual therapy, 2025

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