Why Sex Therapy Retreats Are Worth Considering
If you and your partner feel stuck, are struggling with desire discrepancies or just want deeper intimacy, a dedicated retreat can offer a concentrated dose of therapy and healing. Intensive programs condense months of progress into a few days and create an environment where breakthroughs can happen more quickly than in weekly sessions. For a deeper dive into how to choose and book a retreat, refer to The Ultimate Guide to Couples Therapy Retreats, which outlines five important factors to slecting the retreat that's best for you: (1) your relationship needs, (2) facilitator expertise, (3) retreat format, (4) location/environment and (5) investment considerations. Additionally, our separate post on How to Book a Sex Therapy Retreat in 2026 strips away the awkwardness (and avoid sleaziness) by explaining best practices on how to do this specifically for sex therapy retreats.
For inspiration on strengthening intimacy in everyday life, explore our posts on letting go of perfectionism in intimacy and healing after an affair—each offers practical insights to support you as you prepare for your retreat journey. Whether you opt for IntimacyMoons or another program, taking the step to invest in your relationship is a powerful act of care and growth.
Top 7 Sex Therapy Retreats in the United States
Below you’ll find several standout programs, each with a different style, price point and therapeutic orientation.
- Facilitator: All IntimacyMoons programs are led by Marissa Nelson, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Certified Sex Therapist (CST) and Certified Sex Educator. Nelson is an internationally recognized speaker and received the 2024 AASECT Award for Integrative Approaches to Sex Therapy. IntimacyMoons has been featured by major media outlets from The New York Times to Fodor’s Travel.
- Location & Format: IntimacyMoons offers three distinct experiences:
- The Lovers Society – a 100 % virtual membership launching in December 2025 that provides the self‑paced “Roommates to Lovers in 30 Days” program plus ongoing community support.
- Private Virtual Intensive – a two‑day intensive retreat conducted online. Couples receive a preliminary assessment call, six hours of therapy spread over two days and a follow‑up session.
- Private Destination Couples Retreats – four‑day, three‑night luxury retreats in Washington DC, Martha’s Vineyard, Barbados, St. Lucia, Miami and other bespoke locations. Daily sessions with Nelson are paired with curated wellness and romance activities.
- Approach: Nelson's sex therapy retreats lead couples through a step-by-step transformational process, beginning with alignment and emotional clarity, moving through healing past wounds and rebuilding communication, and culminating in revitalized intimacy and co-created pleasure practices that sustain long-term connection.
- Pricing: Pricing varies to suit different budgets: The Lovers Society costs $997 per year or $97 per month; the Private Virtual Intensive is around $4,000 per couple; Luxury Destination Couples Retreats start at approximately $12,000 in Washington DC and $15,000 in other destinations. These figures include Nelson’s time and most retreat activities, though travel expenses for destination retreats are separate.
- Notable Features: The variety of formats makes it easier to match your budget and comfort level while still receiving highly specialized expert guidance.
- Facilitators: Arielle Hobbs, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, leads these retreats. Hobbs is trained in Relational Life Therapy and the Murray Method, and she specializes in working with couples facing intimacy and communication challenges.
- Location & Format: The retreat spans three days (typically Friday through Sunday) in St.Augustine, Florida. Couples step away from everyday life to focus solely on their relationship. Hobbs designs a schedule of guided dialogues, experiential exercises and reflective downtime. Retreats are private, where only one couple attends at a time—and sessions take place in a calm, comfortable setting.
- Approach: Hobbs combines Relational Life Therapy and the Murray Method, blending cognitive and experiential work to heal resentment, improve communication and rekindle physical and emotional intimacy. Activities may include practicing new communication patterns, exploring attachment histories and addressing sexual concerns with a certified sex therapist.
- Pricing: About $4,900 per couple for the three‑day retreat. This fee includes the therapy sessions and exercises; lodging and meals are separate.
- Notable Features: The combination of evidence‑based methods, private attention and a supportive environment helps participants achieve significant progress in a short period. Couples leave with stronger communication skills, renewed intimacy and actionable strategies to sustain their growth.
- Facilitators: Maci Daye, a Certified Sex Therapist and mindfulness educator, founded Passion & Presence and leads the retreats alongside a small team of mindfulness practitioners. Co‑facilitators may include psychologists or counsellors trained in somatic and mindfulness‑based methods.
- Location & Format: Retreats take place in tranquil environments across the U.S. and abroad—often retreat centres near oceans or mountains. Programs typically span four to six days, blending small group instruction with private partner exercises. Couples participate in guided meditations, gentle movement and educational talks, then practise new skills in private sessions.
- Approach: Daye’s curriculum focuses on mindful sexuality. Participants learn to slow down and attune to their bodies, cultivating a “wakeful, engaged and heart‑full” intimacy. Workshops address common challenges like periods without sex, shame, trauma and bodily changes through mindfulness and somatic techniques. Couples practise exercises such as mindful touch, response agility and body awareness.
- Pricing: Fees vary by location, length and accommodations; programs generally fall into the mid‑range. Attendees should inquire directly with Passion & Presence for specific pricing.
- Notable Features: he retreats are intentionally inclusive, providing a non‑threatening space to explore intimacy. Participants appreciate the combination of contemplative practices and practical exercises, which help them slow down, listen deeply and reconnect.
- Facilitators: Drs. John and Julie Gottman—renowned psychologists who have studied relationships for over forty years—or their certified trainers lead these retreats. Each facilitator is a licensed psychologist and has extensive experience teaching the Gottman Method.
- Location & Format: This two‑day program takes place on Orcas Island, Washington. Groups are limited to about six to eight couples. Sessions alternate between lectures, science‑based information and exercises you practice privately with your partner. You are never pressured to share personal details publicly; exercises are done privately in your own space.
- Approach: The curriculum draws on the Gottmans’ Sound Relationship House model. Day one focuses on building friendship and intimacy: couples explore their Love Maps, practice fondness and admiration and learn to “turn toward” each other in everyday moments. Day two moves into constructive conflict management and creating shared meaning; you learn how to de‑escalate arguments, repair past hurts and uncover the dreams within your conflicts. Exercises like the Aftermath of a Fight questionnaire and the Conflict Regrettable Incident debrief help partners examine triggers and respond compassionately
- Pricing: Around $12,000 per couple, with lodging and meals separate. Lodging and meals are booked separately. Dates for upcoming retreats are announced annually; couples often reserve months in advance due to limited space.
- Notable Features: In addition to the Gottmans’ personal involvement, the retreat includes a comprehensive workbook and take‑home exercises, making it a strong option for couples who want research‑based instruction in an intimate setting.
- Facilitators: San Francisco Intimacy & Sex Therapy Centers is a network of licensed psychotherapists, sexologists and somatic sex coaches. Not all practitioners are licensed mental health providers, so couples can request to work with a licensed therapist or explore alternative coaching options.
- Location & Format: Couples choose from private or semi‑private intensives in San Francisco, Napa Valley and Berkeley, as well as destination retreats in Mexico, Costa Rica, Italy and other Northern California locations. Retreats can also be delivered virtually. A discovery call helps design a bespoke programme; most private intensives run for three consecutive days but can extend to four or five days for deeper transformation. The centre also offers custom vacations, such as four‑ or seven‑day retreats near Cancún, Mexico, where couples combine morning sessions with afternoons at the beach and evenings enjoying curated experiences.
- Approach: The retreats are attachment‑based and draw on neuroscience, sex positivity and somatic awareness to deepen emotional and sexual intimacy. Couples learn to identify feelings and desires, communicate boundaries, explore fantasies and practise new erotic and sensual exercises under the guidance of a therapist or coach. Programs can focus on sexuality or on repairing negative patterns without a sexual emphasis.
- Pricing: Fees vary depending on the length and location of the retreat. A custom four‑ or seven‑day retreat near Cancún costs around $1,000 per day per couple while standard three‑day intensives in Northern California generally start in the $3,000–$5,000 range (lodging, travel and meals extra). The centre does not bill insurance; licensed practitioners can provide invoices for out‑of‑network reimbursement.
- Notable Features: The integration of somatic and experiential practices, along with travel experiences, creates an immersive getaway. The programmes emphasize inclusivity and diversity and provide follow‑up support as needed.
- Facilitators: Sedona Soul Adventures contracts with over 50 “master practitioners” in Sedona—ranging from licensed therapists and bodyworkers to spiritual guides. Not all practitioners are licensed mental health providers so couples can confirm credentials and therapeutic approaches before booking.
- Location & Format: Your retreat takes place in Sedona, Arizona, but it isn’t tied to a single centre. After an initial intake call with a “Soul Guide,” a custom itinerary is created for you and your partner. Over the course of three to seven days, you will attend private one‑on‑one or two‑on‑one sessions with selected practitioners and have downtime to integrate what you learn.
- Sedona Soul Adventures does not run group workshops—each retreat is designed exclusively for one couple at a time, and sessions may include modalities such as breathwork, meditation, energy healing or guided communication exercises.
- Approach: The program is holistic rather than strictly clinical. Practitioners aim to uncover and heal the root causes of relational distress using a blend of talk therapy, somatic practices and spirituality. Couples can choose to focus on emotional connection, communication or intimacy issues; however, because not all facilitators are sex therapists, those seeking specialised sex therapy can clarify their relationship needs and desired facilitator credentials during booking.
- Pricing: Costs depend on the length and intensity of the retreat. You’ll need to contact Sedona Soul Adventures for a quote.
- Notable Features: Each retreat is completely bespoke and includes private sessions, giving couples the flexibility to focus on specific goals. There is an emphasis on spirituality and wellness, making it attractive for those seeking a holistic approach.
- Facilitators: Couples Therapy Inc employs licensed marriage and family therapists and psychologists under the leadership of Dr.KathyMcMahon. Each clinician is trained in intensive couples therapy, and many also have certifications in modalities such as Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy.
- Location & Format: Intensives are offered across more than a dozen states and internationally. The typical retreat runs from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon and is entirely private—no group sharing. Couples complete a comprehensive “BIG BIG Book” assessment before arrival; therapists review this relationship inventory so they’re prepared when you walk in. The weekend includes a welcome session on Friday, a full day of discovery and depth on Saturday (with guided conversations, video‑recorded interactions, individual sessions and therapist feedback).
- Approach: The intensive condenses months of therapy into a structured weekend. After the assessment, therapists help couples explore communication patterns, process emotional injuries and practice new ways of responding. They use evidence‑based techniques tailored to each couple’s needs, such as Gottman interventions for conflict or somatic tools for trauma. Couples leave with a detailed report and action plan for continued work.
- Pricing: Starts around $2,030 per couple and can exceed $4,500 with senior clinicians in major cities. Travel, lodging and meals are additional expenses.
- Notable Features: This programme is not a spa getaway but instead it’s deep, focused work. Couples value the thorough intake process and the clarity gained from the “BIG BIG Book” assessment. Because the retreat is entirely private, partners can address sensitive topics without distraction and walk away with practical tools to continue their healing journey.
Finding the Right Fit
Sex therapy retreats come in many formats, from self‑paced online programs and private intensives to group workshops. The right choice depends on your relationship goals, comfort level and budget. Evidence‑based approaches like those delivered by licensed mental health professionals with specialized sex therapy training, have been shown to improve marital adjustment and intimacy. However, but the experiential and holistic programs listed here may resonate with different couples.
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