Workshop vs. Therapy: Which Is Right for You?

You might currently be seeking support for your relationship. This is a big step! Whether you’re hoping to feel closer to your partner, communicate more effectively, or simply shake off a feeling of disconnection, you have a few routes to choose from.

Commonly, many couples wonder whether a weekend workshop or ongoing therapy will serve them better.

Well, I’d say that it all depends on what you and your partner are going through and what kind of support feels most helpful right now. 

Below, I aim to help you and your partner understand the key differences between a workshop and therapy. Hopefully, the distinguishing features of workshop vs. therapy help you decide what you need, enabling you to make the right decision for your relationship.

What to Expect from Couples Therapy

Couples therapy is typically a two-on-one experience with a licensed mental health professional. It’s tailored to your unique relationship history, your personal stories, and the dynamic you bring into the room together.

Therapy is often the best fit when:

• There are unresolved hurts or ongoing conflicts

• One or both partners are struggling with mental health

• There’s been a betrayal, trauma, or breakdown of trust

• Communication feels impossible, or conversations seem to always end in frustration

Therapy allows couples to move at a pace that allows for deeper processing. You’ll explore patterns, uncover underlying pain points, and learn tools to shift the dynamic in meaningful, lasting ways.

What to Expect from a Couples Workshop

Workshops, especially those based on methods like the Gottman Method, are designed to teach couples practical tools and strategies they can start using right away.

Unlike therapy, a workshop is more educational than exploratory in nature. It focuses on learning specific skills like:

• Listening with empathy

• Communicating during conflict

• Building fondness and admiration

• Creating shared meaning

Workshops can be live or self-paced. They may be done in a group or privately with just your partner. Either way, they’re time-limited, structured, and action-oriented, which is ideal for couples who want to reconnect and grow without delving into more intensive therapeutic work.

Workshops are a great fit for couples if you’re:

• In a generally healthy relationship, but want to feel more connected

• Curious about relationship work but not ready for therapy

• Looking for a flexible, lower-cost option to support your relationship

How to Decide What’s Right for You: Workshop vs. Therapy

Therapy is a longer-term commitment with many couples often agreeing to several weeks of ongoing communication and repair. On the other hand, a workshop may only be a few hours or cover one weekend, leaving couples to commit to doing much of the work in their own time.

Still not sure which route is best for your relationship? Here are a few questions to help you decide:

• Are we feeling disconnected (workshop) or are we in distress (therapy)?

• Do we want to heal from something painful (therapy) or simply strengthen what’s already good (workshop)?

• Would we prefer a structured, educational approach (workshop) or a personalized, therapeutic one (therapy)?

• Is one of us unsure about therapy but open to trying a self-led or group workshop?

Can You Do Both?

Of course! In fact, many couples benefit from both.

A workshop can give you a powerful jumpstart or an intense period of connections, helping you build communication habits, reconnect emotionally, and get on the same page.

Therapy can then support you in sustaining those changes and navigating deeper or more complex challenges as they arise.

Alternatively, couples that start with therapy may use workshops as a way to reinforce what they’ve learned in a fresh, engaging format.

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose therapy, a workshop, or some combination of the two, the most important thing is this: You’re taking a step toward your relationship. That alone says a lot about your values and your commitment to each other.

No path is better than the other. Only the one that best fits your needs right now. If you’re curious about upcoming couples workshops or wondering how to begin, I’d love to help you explore your options.

Let’s find what works for you, together.