Faith - based Christian Counseling, non - profit, serving Sarasota / Bradenton and the Online Community Worldwide!

A Marriage Intensive is a private (one couple only) focused counseling experience designed for couples who need more support than traditional weekly sessions can provide. At Relational Skills Inc., our Marriage Intensives are a two-day event held in a confidential setting where couples can step away from daily distractions and focus fully on healing, communication, and rebuilding connection. Many couples seek a marriage intensive when they feel stuck, overwhelmed, emotionally disconnected, or on the verge of separation. Our goal is to help couples uncover deeper relational patterns, improve communication, and begin creating a healthier path forward together.

Weekly marriage counseling is often helpful for couples seeking gradual growth and maintenance in their relationship. A Marriage Intensive may be more beneficial when couples are experiencing repeated conflict, emotional disconnection, betrayal, communication breakdowns, or feel their relationship is in crisis. Intensives provide extended, uninterrupted time to address core issues more deeply and efficiently. During our initial consultation, we can help determine which option may best fit your current needs and goals.The number of sessions depends on your unique circumstances. After completing an intake form, we develop a personalized plan and reassess progress as needed.

Yes. Even if one spouse is hesitant, individual counseling can still bring significant change to a relationship. Often, when one person begins to heal, improve communication, set healthy boundaries, and respond differently, the relationship dynamic shifts. Many individuals seek counseling to gain clarity, reduce emotional overwhelm, process trauma, or better understand unhealthy relational patterns. Personal growth frequently creates healthier interactions within marriage and family relationships.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a gentle, evidence-based approach designed to help individuals process distressing memories, trauma, anxiety, grief, and emotional triggers. ART uses eye movements and guided techniques that help the brain reprocess painful experiences, so they no longer carry the same emotional intensity. Many clients appreciate that ART does not require lengthy retelling of traumatic events. This approach can often bring relief more quickly than traditional talk therapy alone.

Yes. We offer Christian counseling that integrates biblical principles, emotional healing, and practical relational tools. Our approach is compassionate, non-condemning, and centered on truth, grace, and restoration. While many of our clients specifically seek faith-based counseling, we also work with individuals and couples from various backgrounds who appreciate values-centered care and emotionally healthy relationship principles.

We work with individuals and couples facing a wide variety of challenges, including communication difficulties, emotional disconnection, conflict resolution, trauma, anxiety, grief, codependency, boundary struggles, betrayal, premarital concerns, spiritual struggles, family conflict, and life transitions. Our counseling approach is highly personalized, recognizing that every individual and relationship has unique experiences, wounds, and goals for healing.

Una vez que se envíen el formulario de admisión y las pruebas requeridas y se programe una cita, se reunirá con su consejero para repasar los resultados de la prueba y establecer metas para seguir adelante.

Relational Skills offers a unique husband-and-wife counseling perspective built on over 40 years of marriage, medical and counseling experience, and faith-integrated relational care. We strive to provide a warm, personalized experience where clients feel heard, valued, and supported. Our efficient intake process, practical tools, trauma-informed care, insights into temperament, and concierge-style communication help clients move toward healing with clarity and direction, rather than feeling lost in endless sessions.

La mediación matrimonial es la otra cara de la mediación de divorcio: la mediación matrimonial tiene que ver con la restauración; mediación de divorcio; separación.

Cualquier problema que perturbe la paz de un individuo tiene el potencial de aliviarse mediante el uso de A.R.T. tales como trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT), trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC), ansiedad generalizada, depresión, pensamientos suicidas, hipervigilancia, pesadillas recurrentes, trastornos alimentarios, dislexia, fobias. etc

Los clientes experimentan el alivio de los síntomas con un número mínimo de sesiones independientes, lo que lo hace conveniente y rentable y no requiere un relato detallado verbal o escrito de recuerdos traumáticos o experiencias angustiosas.

Yes. Relational Skills Inc. offers both in-person and online counseling sessions for individuals and couples. Virtual sessions provide a convenient and effective option for clients who prefer meeting from the comfort of their home or who live outside the Sarasota area. Because we practice as Clinical Pastoral Counselors, we are often able to work with clients in many different states and locations. We regularly meet with individuals and couples across the country who are seeking relationship support, trauma healing, Christian counseling, premarital guidance, or Marriage Intensives. Online counseling allows clients to receive personalized care, practical tools, and ongoing support no matter where they are located.

Appointment availability can vary depending on the season and the type of service requested. While some time slots may book several weeks in advance, we do our best to accommodate clients as quickly as possible, especially when individuals or couples are experiencing urgent relational or emotional concerns. At Relational Skills Inc., we encourage clients to schedule early, when possible, particularly for Marriage Intensives and Saturday and evening appointments, which tend to fill more quickly. If you do not see a suitable opening on the calendar, we encourage you to reach out by text or email. We will often try to work with clients to find an earlier appointment time when schedules allow.

The honest answer is that every person, couple, and situation is different. The number of sessions needed depends on factors such as the nature of the concern, how long the issue has been present, the level of motivation for change, and the goals you hope to achieve. Some clients experience significant progress within just a few sessions, particularly when addressing a specific issue or utilizing approaches such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for trauma-related concerns. Others may benefit from longer-term support as they work through complex relationship challenges, longstanding patterns, or multiple areas of growth. For couples experiencing significant distress, a Marriage Intensive can often accomplish in two days what might otherwise take months of weekly counseling sessions because of the focused time devoted to the relationship. At Relational Skills Inc., our goal is not to keep clients in counseling indefinitely. We strive to help individuals and couples identify the root issues, develop practical tools, and create a clear path toward healing and growth as efficiently as possible. During your initial session, we will discuss your goals and recommend a plan of care tailored to your specific situation.

In most cases, couples begin counseling together so we can gain a clear understanding of the relationship dynamics, communication patterns, strengths, and areas of concern. Our primary focus is helping the relationship heal and grow as a team. Depending on the situation, we may occasionally recommend one or more individual sessions to explore personal experiences, go over your temperament assessment, past wounds, trauma, or other factors that may be impacting the relationship. These individual sessions can provide valuable insight and often help accelerate progress within the couples work. Every relationship is unique, so the counseling process is tailored to the needs of each couple. During your initial session, we will discuss the most effective approach for your specific circumstances and develop a plan that best supports your goals for healing, connection, and lasting change. For Marriage Intensives, most of the time is spent working with the couple together. However, there may be brief individual conversations when appropriate to gather additional information or address specific concerns that could benefit the overall healing process. Our goal is always to strengthen the relationship while ensuring that both individuals feel heard, understood, and supported.

Yes. Relational Skills Inc. provides marriage counseling, couples counseling, premarital counseling, and Marriage Intensives for clients throughout the Sarasota and Bradenton areas, including Lakewood Ranch, Venice, North Port, Parrish, Palmetto, Ellenton, and surrounding communities. Our office is conveniently located in Sarasota, and we also offer secure online counseling sessions for couples who prefer the convenience of meeting from home. Many couples find that virtual sessions allow them to access support without the challenges of commuting or coordinating busy schedules. Whether you are struggling with communication, conflict, trust issues, emotional disconnection, blended family challenges, or simply want to strengthen your relationship, we provide personalized guidance designed to help couples build healthier, more connected marriages. We welcome couples at every stage of their relationship—from dating and engaged couples preparing for marriage to those seeking support during difficult seasons or considering a Marriage Intensive for more focused intervention. Our goal is to help couples move from frustration and disconnection toward understanding, healing, and renewed hope.