Plan For Your Intensive

"One of the greatest gifts we can give another person is our presence."

— Rick Martin

For many couples, life has become busy, demanding, and full of responsibilities. Before meaningful repair can happen, we often need to create space for it.

This page is designed to help you remove distractions, make practical plans, and create the conditions needed to focus on what matters most during your Relationship 911 Intensive: your relationship.

Create Space For The Relationship

The purpose of this page is simple.

We want to remove as many distractions as possible so that you can focus on the relationship during your Relationship 911 Intensive.

The less time you spend worrying about schedules, phones, travel, work, childcare, and other responsibilities, the more time and energy you can give to the work in front of you.

A little planning now can make a big difference later.

Use The Preparation Checklist

As you work through this page, keep your Relationship 911 Preparation Checklist nearby.

The checklist is designed to help you stay organized and keep track of important items before Day 1.

If a checklist item needs more explanation, you will usually find additional guidance within one of the Readiness Hub pages.

There is no need to complete everything at once.

Simply work through the list one step at a time.

Travel And Accommodations

If you are travelling to Red Deer, we strongly recommend arriving the day before Day 1.

This gives you time to check in, settle in, have a meal, and arrive rested for our 9:00 AM start.

Whenever possible, consider staying the evening after Day 3 before travelling home. Many couples find it helpful to have a little extra time to reflect, rest, and settle before returning to everyday life.

Our preferred recommendation for accommodations is the Red Deer Resort & Casino, with the iHOTEL also being an option.

Final details regarding your intensive location and therapeutic space will be confirmed with you before Day 1.

Childcare, Family, And Other Responsibilities

Take time to think about what needs to be covered while you are away.

This may include:

• childcare
• pet care
• family responsibilities
• appointments
• household commitments

Whenever possible, make these arrangements before you arrive so they do not compete for your attention during the intensive.

Work And Availability

For these three days, your relationship becomes the priority.

Before you arrive, we encourage you to clear your calendar as much as possible.

You may wish to:

• set an out-of-office message
• arrange coverage where needed
• notify important contacts
• postpone non-urgent meetings
• prepare your team or coworkers for your absence

The goal is not to disconnect from life completely.

The goal is to reduce distractions so you can stay focused on the work we are doing together.

Phones And Outside Communication

One of the most valuable gifts you can give this process is your full attention.

During our time together, phones are expected to remain turned off and put away whenever possible.

This applies to everyone, including Rick.

We understand that emergencies can happen, especially when children or family responsibilities are involved.

If something urgent requires your attention, we will work with that.

Outside of true emergencies, we ask that phones remain off and that messages wait until designated times.

This helps create a focused space where you can stay present with the relationship instead of being pulled back into the demands of everyday life.

Creating The Right Environment

Relationship 911 is designed to be more than a series of counselling sessions.

It is a focused period of time set aside for the relationship.

Everything on this page serves the same purpose:

To remove distractions.

To create space.

And to help you stay present for the work ahead.

Intensive Expenses And Additional Costs

The Relationship 911 Intensive fee covers the therapeutic work we will do together during the three-day process.

Additional expenses related to travel, accommodations, meals, therapeutic space, or other arrangements are separate from the intensive fee.

If your intensive takes place in Red Deer, you are responsible for your own accommodations, meals, and any agreed-upon venue or hospitality expenses.

If Rick travels to your location, travel-related expenses such as mileage, airfare, accommodations, meals, therapeutic space, and related costs will be billed separately.

Any expenses paid by Rick on your behalf will be invoiced at actual cost only.

There are no additional administrative fees, booking fees, or markups added to these expenses.

Whenever possible, expenses and arrangements will be discussed and confirmed before Day 1 so there are no surprises.

Questions Before Day 1?

If you have questions about travel, accommodations, scheduling, expenses, or anything else related to your intensive, please reach out before Day 1.

It is often easier to work through practical details beforehand so that you can arrive feeling clear, focused, and ready to begin.