Therapy Intensives:
Immersive sessions for deeper, focused work.
Therapy “intensives” have been taking the therapy field by storm, as they are more focused, allow greater access to care, and help accelerate big breakthroughs for clients.
What does a typical intensive look like (after consult, assessment, & intake)?
2-4 hours of concentrated work, with one break in the middle
Exploring (or “speaking to”) one specific part of you, or a cluster of parts that is gathered around a specific theme or topic in your life
Practicing nervous system techniques that will allow you to recalibrate your body
Wrap-up that includes reflective art-making, tea, & client-therapist interview (depending on preferences of the client)
Can be done in my office in San Diego, or virtually, in the comfort of your preferred location in California
Is an intensive is right for me?
All interested participants can schedule a complimentary call with me to discuss clinical fit.
Generally speaking, intensives might be a powerful experience for you, if:
You often feel that single 50-minute sessions are too short, or your sessions tend to end “at the good part”
You want to dedicate more time to a specific theme, pattern, or life transition
You prefer a retreat-like experience rather than a clinical or sterile experience
You have a packed schedule, but know you deserve profound healing & progress
How is an intensive different than a therapy session?
In traditional weekly therapy, progress is often limited to the time constraints of a session.
Complex topics that come up, don’t always have the time they deserve.
Some clients even feel anxiety about “leaving things hanging” in a therapy session, and then having to wait one or two weeks to circle back, after feeling so raw & vulnerable.
With an intensive, things are very different:
Sessions are extended and immersive, so you won’t be “rushed to wrap up”
Momentum builds across hours, instead of weeks or months
Uninterrupted time helps you heal the root, rather than put a bandaid on it
Breakthroughs can happen more quickly, with trauma-trained guidance
What if I’m already in therapy?
Perfect! Intensives can be a standalone experience, or they can complement what you’re doing in therapy already. Whether you’re feeling “stuck” in your regular therapy, or just wanting to spend more time on a persistent pattern, intensives allow you to do either.
“Integrated Self” Intensive
My “Integrated Self” Intensive is shaped by ideas from IFS (Internal Family Systems), and nervous system science.
IFS focuses on the emotional conflicts in our lives that stem from different “parts” within us. These “parts” of us work very hard to keep us safe, or make us feel powerful, but they often create problematic patterns and extreme behaviors. Additionally, our “parts” often manifest in our physical bodies, creating uncomfortable sensations like tightness in the chest, tension in the jaw, stomach pain, headaches, and more.
Having gotten certified in IFS Foundations through the IFS institute, I’ve designed the “Integrated Self” Intensive to help reset your nervous system, as well as address the inner “parts” of you that create contradiction, stuckness, or self-destruction, such as:
an intense inner critic that constantly belittles you
a lonely or insecure part that causes you to feel ashamed and alone
a intergenerational part that is still stuck in “survival mode”
an inner perfectionist that burns you out from over-performing and people pleasing
a part that keeps you disconnected from your emotions or body, due to fears of “feeling too much”
How much does this cost?
The cost can vary, depending on the amount of time a client would like to spend on a topic.
At the moment, considering the effort and advanced training required for this offering, my intensives cost my usual therapy rate per hour ($200/hour), plus $200 for assessment, preparation, and post-intensive support.
Please reach out even if this cost may not fit your budget; I believe in keeping business relational, and I’m always willing to collaborate on pricing as needed.
What to Expect: A Timeline
Every intensive is tailored to you, but here is a tentative timeline after someone expresses interest in doing an intensive:
Before the Intensive
We will hold a phone consultation to clarify your goals and determine the best structure
We will clarify focus areas and the appropriate pacing for your comfort
During the Intensive
We will allot 2-4 hours for the overall experience, depending on our pace
We will decide when to include breaks
We will pause along the way to document learnings and breakthroughs
After the Intensive
We will debrief to incorporate insights
We will discuss ongoing resources/strategies
We will schedule an optional follow-up
Next Steps
If you’re curious whether a therapy intensive might be the right fit—whether for EMDR or topic-focused work—I’d be glad to talk with you.
You can reach out to schedule a consultation or ask questions about how intensives could support your goals.
Deep, focused work is possible—sometimes all it takes, is the space and opportunity to do it.