What are Relationship Intensives?

Relationship Intensives are daylong workshops guided by the tenets of Intersectional Relationship Therapy (IRT) created by Co-Founders and Facilitators, Jacqueline Plante & Traci Medeiros. They are formatted to cut quickly to the core of relationship concerns and give partners a solid set of tools and new (and renewed!) empathy and understanding to move forward in their relationship. Investment for the day is $2999 which includes:

6-Hrs of structured exploration, skill-building, and intentional process facilitated by Gather & Grow OC Co-Directors and Relationship Specialists
Relationship assessment and relational session
Individual guided exploration sessions
Included meal with guided activities to share insight and practice tools
Relationship Intensive Handbook outlining Intersectional Relationship Therapy (IRT) with additional at-home activities and information to support continued relationship growth and healing

Relationship Intensives vs Therapy

The structure of Relationship Intensives offers a different format of support than ongoing therapy. Blocking out a day can support all partners showing up mindfully to the space and can feel more like a ‘getaway’ to focus on nurturing the good in their relationship.

Are Relationship Intensives Right for My Relationship?

Relationships are great for busy partners who have a challenging time scheduling ongoing therapy. They are also a different format and structure for intimacy building. Some relationships will go through the intensive once and feel like they have all of the tools they need, some will schedule to support their relationship during particularly challenging times, and some folks like to pop in now and then as a way to set intentional time aside to connect and honor their partnership. With Jacqueline and Traci’s combined background in traditional monogamy, life transitions, ethical non-monogamy, kink, lived experiences of people of color, and the LGBTQ community, Relationship Intensives at Gather & Grow OC are affirming and knowledgeable for most relationships.

The Framework: Intersectional Relationship Therapy (IRT)

Intersectional Relationship Therapy (IRT) is the place where intersectional feminism and early attachment meet. After years of working with diverse individuals and relationships, we found that personal healing work could not be extracted from the interactions we have with our loved ones, our community, and the world. While Attachment Theory offers foundational insight into our blueprints for connection, it fails to take into account the many facets of influence that come with our intersectional identities and the trauma that is sustained from the experiences of individual and collective marginalization.

What IRT Looks Like in Practice

IRT utilizes somatic settling practices like breathing, gentle movement, meditation, and visualization to draw the nervous system out of its survival state. Psychoeducation around trauma, activation, shame, power, self-compassion, and attachment are offered to increase self-awareness and agency and shift the conversation between partners from “Why would you say/do this to me?” to “Where is this response coming from?” Tools for consensual and egalitarian communication are employed to support the co-creation of relationships that are fulfilling to all parties who choose to be in committed deepening with one another.

Why Relationship Intensives are Different at Gather & Grow

Relationship Intensives at Gather & Grow OC are facilitated by Director & Couples Specialist, Jacqueline Plante, and Director & Intentional Relationship Specialist, Traci Medeiros-Bagan. Co-facilitation allows for individual and combined exploration and communication support. It also brings the multitude of experiences that Jacqueline and Traci hold in supporting a diversity of individuals and relationship structures. Learn more about the facilitators below.

About the Facilitators

Relationships Intensives are facilitated by Co-Directors and Co-Owners of Gather & Grow OC:

Jacqueline and Traci are California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) and Co-Owners of Gather & Grow OC, a group therapy and wellness practice based in Fullerton, CA.

Jacqueline and Traci met as therapists at The Center in Orange County where they offered mental health services and education to support the LGBTQ Community. They each had successful individual private practices focused on identity, attachment, and relational work before founding Gather & Grow OC in 2019 in the hopes of expanding affirming care options in Orange County and beyond.

With their shared background serving diverse communities and their passion for relational work, they have continued to deepen and synthesize their combined experiences to help individuals discern and build authentic, empowered, and fulfilling relationships! While their clinical caseloads are currently full, they are excited to be able to offer limited availability for Relationship Intensives utilizing their framework of IRT.

What People Are Saying

Selected Speaking/Interviews/Press

Go Mag, Autostraddle, Contemporary Relationships Conference, Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit, Kink.com's Educational Series, Catalyst Con, OC CAMFT, Bitch Magazine, Self Magazine's Podcast Checking In, Trust & Thrive with Tara Mont, TASHRA, Everyday Feminism, The Knot Magazine, Voyage LA