Relationship Workshop for Iowa Couples
Just a Short Trip to Minnesota
Getting the right help that actually makes a difference for your relationship can be hard to find. And finding a high-quality couples workshop in Iowa can feel impossible. You know you need help — real, practical tools to fix what's broken — but your options feel limited. Most marriage workshops are either too theoretical or just plain unavailable.
That's why Iowa couples drive to Edina, Minnesota for the Relationship Skills Bootcamp.
Whether you're in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport, or Ames — Edina is just a 3–5 hour drive. It's an easy trip. And what you'll learn in those two days can change everything.
I'm Sarah Borrell, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist certified in Relational Life Therapy (RLT). This workshop is based on the work of Terry Real, whose approach is known for creating rapid, lasting change in relationships. It's not your typical marriage seminar. It's skills-based, direct, and it actually works.
Why Iowa Couples Travel to the Relationship Skills Bootcamp
Let's be honest, weekly therapy takes time. It can take months to see real progress. And when you're already struggling — when the distance is growing and the arguments are escalating — waiting for change feels unbearable.
The Bootcamp compresses what might take six months of therapy into two focused days. You get the foundation — the core skills that make relationships work — right away. From there, you can practice on your own or continue with therapy if you want to go deeper.
This immersive format works because it gives you focused, uninterrupted time to learn without the distractions of daily life. You step away from the routine. You focus entirely on each other. And you leave with tools you can use immediately.
Iowa couples choose this workshop because it delivers results quickly. The RLT (Relational Life Therapy) framework is practical, not preachy. And it gives you exactly what you need to break old patterns and build something better.
What to Expect at This Two Day Couples Workshop
The workshop runs over a full weekend. Each day includes teaching, small group discussions, and hands-on practice.
Day One : Self-Awareness and Insight
You'll learn about where your patterns come from. How your past shapes how you show up today. Why you react the way you do — and how to respond differently.
Day Two : Skills and Practice
You'll learn the practical communication tools that repair conflict and rebuild intimacy. You'll practice together (if you come as a couple) or with other participants (if you come solo). By the end of the weekend, you'll know exactly what to do differently.
This isn't group therapy. You won't be asked to share private details or air your dirty laundry. It's a learning environment — structured, supportive, and surprisingly hopeful.
Want to see what the workshop like? [Read about what happens at the bootcamp]
Skills You'll Walk Away With
The Bootcamp teaches specific, actionable tools of how to:
Stop the same fight before it spirals — you'll learn the five patterns (the "Losing Strategies") that kill intimacy and how to recognize them before they take over
Communicate when you're triggered — the Feedback Wheel gives you a step-by-step process for saying what you need without blame
Repair after a fight — conflict isn't the problem; it's how you repair that determines whether intimacy survives
Build healthy boundaries without shutting down — you'll learn how to protect yourself without pulling away
Listen without getting defensive — most people listen to respond. You'll learn how to listen to understand
These aren't abstract concepts. They're practical skills you can start using right away.
Worth the Drive
Two Days That Could Change Your Marriage
I know the drive isn't nothing. Des Moines to Edina is about 3.5 hours. Cedar Rapids is about 4 hours. But couples consistently say they are glad they made the trip.
Edina is just south of Minneapolis with easy access to hotels, restaurants, and activities. Many couples stay overnight to break up the travel and arrive ready to focus. The distance can actually work in your favor—you're away from home, away from distractions, giving your relationship the attention it deserves.
Your marriage is worth those hours in the car and two days of your time.
Nearby accommodations: Several hotels are within 10 minutes of the workshop location in Edina and Bloomington (listed below).
The Relationship Bootcamp is held in Edina, MN — a worthwhile drive from most Iowa cities:
UPCOMING WORKSHOP DATES
March 6-7
(Fri & Sat)
May 16-17
(Sat & Sun)
August 13-14
(Thur & Fri)
Oct 23-24
(Fri & Sat)
9am-5pm
Edina, Minnesota
This is an authorized presentation of Terry Real’s Relational Life Therapy Bootcamp, using the skills and principles from his Relational Life Therapy (RLT) model.
FAQs for Out-of-State Attendees
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Read more about what each day looks like and the skills you will learn here: https://sarah-borrell.com/blog/rlt-bootcamp-what-to-expect
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Yes. Iowa couples consistently tell me the drive was worth it. You'll learn in two days what most couples spend years trying to figure out. Plus, the time away gives you focused time together without the distractions of daily life.
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Absolutely. Many people attend solo — whether they're single, dating, or in a relationship where their partner isn't ready yet. The skills you learn apply to all relationships, not just romantic ones.
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Registration includes both full days of the workshop, course materials, and access to follow-up resources. It does not include accommodations or meals — you'll be responsible for booking your own hotel and planning meals (there are plenty of nearby options).
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No. Some couples leave the Bootcamp with everything they need and continue practicing on their own. Others choose to continue with ongoing couples therapy with renewed excitement and clarity about the work they want to do. It's completely up to you.
LOCATION
7201 Metro Boulevard
Edina, MN 55439
First Floor Conference Room
ACCOMMODATIONS
There are hotels near the event venue. Below are a list of hotels and their website links.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington - Minneapolis South
7800 Normandale Blvd
Edina, MN 55439
(952) 835-7800
Sheraton Bloomington Hotel
5601 W 78th St
Edina, MN 55439
(952) 835-1900
Renaissance Minneapolis Bloomington Hotel
5500 American Blvd W
Bloomington, MN 55437
(952) 831-8000
Don't let distance keep you stuck
Iowa couples travel to this workshop because it works. Register now or schedule a consultation call to learn more.
The drive is a few hours. The change could last a lifetime.
