Every relationship faces moments where communication breaks down, tension rises, or emotional walls go up. You may find yourself walking on eggshells, feeling unseen, misunderstood, or stuck in the same unresolved cycles. But change is possible — with the right space, guidance, and tools.

Our private Emotional Safety & Communication Retreats offer couples a sanctuary to reconnect, speak honestly, and feel truly heard. Through expert-led therapy and custom exercises, you’ll develop the skills to listen with empathy, express with clarity, and co-create a secure emotional bond.

What Sets These Couples Communication Retreats Apart

• Private, Judgment-Free Space: Just you, your partner, and a licensed couples therapist in a luxurious, peaceful environment.
• Expert Therapeutic Support: Using evidence-based models like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Method, we gently guide you through the most difficult emotional patterns.
• Real-World Tools: We don’t just talk — we teach practical tools and scripts to help you handle tough conversations long after the retreat ends.
• A Trauma-Informed Approach: For couples navigating emotional injuries or trust ruptures, we ensure a compassionate, paced process.

This Retreat is Ideal If You:

• Feel emotionally disconnected or stuck in defensive cycles
• Struggle with frequent arguments, tension, or avoidance
• Want to deepen trust and emotional intimacy
• Need help expressing needs without triggering conflict
• Are recovering from betrayal, emotional injury, or past trauma
• Desire a healthier, more open and emotionally supportive partnership

Marissa Nelson is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) and Sexuality Educator (CSE), TEDx Speaker, Entrepreneur and Relationship Expert.

An internationally recognized expert, she is the creator of IntimacyMoons Couples Retreats, rated by Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel, and Travel Curator Magazines as one of the top luxury couples retreats worldwide. She has also been featured in over 150 national and international media publications including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

She consolidated her expertise into the popular TEDx talk “We all experience sexual rejection - and it’s not about sex”, which has been selected by  TED Conference as an editor's pick. In 2023, Marissa was selected as one of INNOVATE Washington’s Top 100 innovators. In 2024, Marissa is the 2024 recipient of the Award for Integrative Approaches to Sex Therapy from the American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). She was also award Businesswoman of the Year by G.I.R.L. Inc.

Marissa is the Washington DC facilitator of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton Women’s Circle.

Marissa is a proud graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a Masters in Education Entrepreneurship, and also possesses a Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy from Drexel University. Marissa also pursued post-graduate studies, receiving a Certificate in Sexual Health & Sex Therapy from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.