How long are therapy intensive sessions?
Therapy Intensives can vary in length from 90 minutes to 3 hours or longer, depending on the clients goals and schedule and can occur in one day or over several days.
What is the process for therapy intensives?
Each new round of intensives first begins with an intake session to discuss needs, assess suitability, and ask questions, followed by a series of intensive therapy sessions and followed-up with an integration session to ensure lasting change. It is often possible to do an intensive while continuing to meet with a primary therapist, sometimes with the consent and collaboration of both therapists.
Who is a therapy intensive best suited for?
Therapy intensives are ideal for individuals or couples who want faster results, have a specific concern to address, feel stuck in traditional therapy, or have limited availability. Intensives work especially well for trauma, anxiety, relationship repair, burnout, and emotional overwhelm, as well as for motivated clients who want a deeper, more immersive experience.
Who is a therapy intensive not suited for?
Therapy intensives are not suited for individuals or couples who are emotionally unstable, experiencing active safety concerns, have vastly different therapy goals, or cannot tolerate extended therapeutic sessions.
Are therapy intensives effective for trauma, PTSD, or long-standing emotional patterns?
Yes. Trauma therapy intensives using EMDR or Brainspotting allow clients to complete full trauma-processing cycles and process long-standing issues, something weekly therapy often cannot accomplish. Many people experience significant relief, reduced symptoms, and improved emotional stability in a shorter timeframe than traditional therapy.
Are therapy intensives overwhelming or too emotionally intense?
Intensives are designed with pacing, stabilization, and regulation built in. Clients generally report feeling supported, empowered, and relieved, not overwhelmed, because they have adequate time to process and stabilize before the session ends.
Do intensives replace ongoing weekly therapy?
They can, but they don’t have to. Some clients use intensives as their primary form of therapy, especially for targeted goals. Others continue with weekly or biweekly therapy afterward to maintain progress. Intensives can also complement therapy you’re already receiving with another provider.
How do I prepare for a therapy intensive?
Before the intensive, your therapist will complete an assessment, help clarify your goals, review your history, and ensure the intensive plan is safe and appropriate. You may also receive psychoeducation materials, self-regulation tools or other guidance to help you get the most out of your time.
Are therapy intensives covered by insurance?
Most intensives are considered out-of-network services and may be partially reimbursable depending on your plan and your out-of-network benefits. You’ll receive a superbill (a detailed itemized receipt with service codes, diagnostic codes, etc) after each intensive that you can submit to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement. We can help you understand potential reimbursement via your out-of-network benefits before scheduling.
Can therapy intensives be done virtually?
Yes. EMDR intensives, Brainspotting intensives, and many forms of relationship and emotional work can be done virtually using secure telehealth platforms. Virtual intensives are especially helpful for clients out of state or those with travel limitations.
Are therapy intensives appropriate for clients who are new to therapy?
Yes, intensives are not just for long-term therapy clients. New clients often find intensives a powerful way to jump-start their therapeutic journey and gain rapid clarity and relief.
Can couples attend therapy intensives even if they are not in crisis?
Absolutely. Couples intensives are excellent for partners preparing for marriage, navigating transitions, strengthening communication, or intentionally investing in their relationship. Intensives are not only for conflict, they’re also for strengthening healthy relationships.
Will I need follow-up sessions after my therapy intensive?
Although many clients experience significant breakthroughs in a short time, some clients return for “booster” intensives, while others resume weekly or biweekly therapy. Your plan will be tailored to your goals and long-term needs.
Are therapy intensives the same as an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
No. Therapy intensives and IOPs are very different levels of care. Therapy intensives are extended sessions with one licensed therapist in a private practice setting. They are appropriate for clients who are stable, functioning, and safe, but want focused, accelerated support. IOPs are a higher level of care designed for people who need structured, multi-disciplinary treatment several days per week due to the severity of their symptoms.
Can a therapy intensive replace an IOP?
No. Therapy intensives do not replace IOPs and should not be used in place of a higher level of care when someone is in crisis, has severe mental health symptoms, or needs daily structure and monitoring. Intensives are designed for stable clients who want accelerated therapeutic progress, not for symptom stabilization or crisis management.
What if I’m not sure whether a therapy intensive is right for me?
We offer a consultation call to discuss your goals, symptoms, and concerns. Together, we determine whether a therapy intensive, traditional therapy, or a hybrid approach will best meet your needs.