What is a therapy intensive?
An intensive is a specific delivery method for therapy that involves longer sessions at an increased frequency. The aim is to produce accelerated results.
For a long time, the standard for outpatient mental health therapy has been 45 – 55 minute sessions each week. This is largely due to the influence of insurance companies and the types of services they will cover. However, given the changing nature of our daily lives (virtual accessibility, non-standard work hours, etc.), it may be time to re-think standard approaches. Early research has shown promise regarding the effectiveness of therapy intensives to rapidly produce positive results. Click here and here for examples.
Various scheduling options are available for intensives, depending on your goals and preferences. Most likely, your intensive will involve multiple sessions that are 2 or more hours in duration, over the course of a few consecutive days or within an abbreviated timeframe.
Why should I choose an intensive format?
- Highly customizable. Your intensive will be tailored to your specific needs, goals, and expectations. This includes collaboration with other providers when applicable.
- Relief — sooner rather than later. Compared to weekly sessions, less time is spent during intensives on checking-in, addressing current crises and concerns, and assisting clients with regaining composure after processing. This allows us to get to work quickly and accomplish more during our allotted appointment time.
- Efficient scheduling. With an intensive, you don’t have to worry about waitlists or finding an ongoing time to carve out of your busy schedule. For some people, it may be more feasible to commit to a “short burst” of intensive therapy and return for additional sessions as needed.
- A smart investment. Although the up-front investment may seem costly, the reality is that an intensive format may be more cost effective. Processing and resulting changes can occur faster, and reduce time spent in ongoing/maintenance outpatient therapy.
What happens during an intensive?
Your intensive may include any of the following services/approaches:
- Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
- EMDR protocols focused on reducing and healing from addictive urges
- The Flash Technique
- Ego State therapy (IFS & “parts work”)
- Polyvagal theory exercises to to help regulate your nervous system
- Trauma-focused Gentle Yoga
- Breathwork (pranayama)
- Buddhist-informed approaches to psychotherapy
- Mindfulness exercises
- Integration of creative processes (e.g., art, music) to facilitate meaning-making and healing
- Psychoeducation on relevant topics, such as: relapse prevention, boundaries, codependence, trauma responses, etc.
How can I get started?
Contact me via email or phone call: 773-340-9364 to schedule a consultation.
Intensives are billed at an hourly rate. Your insurance may cover a portion of the cost, depending on your specific benefits, as well as whether or not I am an “in-network” provider. We will discuss this prior to scheduling, along with policies regarding cancellation and refunds.