Therapy Intensives
Why Choose an Intensive?
Many clients find intensives appealing because they offer:
Depth and efficiency: Extended time allows for deeper processing without the interruptions of weekly scheduling.
Faster symptom relief: Research on trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR, somatic approaches, and relationship interventions suggests that concentrated treatment formats can lead to significant symptom reduction in fewer sessions than traditional weekly therapy.
Immersion and continuity: Longer sessions help maintain emotional and physiological regulation, creating space for integration rather than abrupt endings.
Flexibility: Intensives can be especially helpful for clients with demanding schedules, those traveling from out of state, or individuals seeking focused support during life transitions.
Studies on trauma treatment indicate that intensive formats can produce meaningful improvements in PTSD, anxiety, depression, and relational functioning, with some research showing outcomes comparable to or stronger than standard weekly therapy when appropriately structured and supported.
What Issues Can Intensives Address?
Therapy intensives may be effective for a range of concerns, including:
Trauma and complex trauma (C-PTSD)
Anxiety, panic, and chronic stress
Attachment and relational wounds
Grief and loss
Birth Trauma
Addiction
Identity and life transitions
Persistent patterns that feel resistant to traditional therapy
Preparation for or recovery from significant life events
Each intensive is carefully tailored to your goals, nervous system capacity, and therapeutic history.
Intensives may not be for you if...
The complexity of your situation would be too overwhelming to process due to high levels of dissociation.
If you are in an urgent crisis situation that requires stabilization or hospitalization.
If you struggle with suicidal ideation or self-harm.
If you feel forced into a therapeutic process not of your own free will.
Important Financial Information
Intensives are self-pay only and are not billed to insurance.
Because of their extended structure and specialized nature, intensives fall outside of standard insurance reimbursement models. Detailed fee information is provided during the consultation process so you can make an informed decision.
Base rates for intensives are:
Half Day Intensive (2-3 hours): $500-$750 total ($250/hour) Perfect for specific triggers or single trauma targets.
Full Day Intensive (4-6 hours): $1,200-$1,600 total ($300/hour + lunch break) Comprehensive treatment for complex or early trauma.
Payment Options: HSA, FSA, and Care Credit accepted. 50% due at scheduling, balance due day of service. Deposit amount is non-refundable given the need to block schedule availability for that time and limiting opportunities for other clients to schedule. A portion of this can be credited to a reschedule pending clinician has sufficient time to open up the calendar for alternate bookings and is not guaranteed.
Get scheduled typically within one month. Price includes a consultation with client and with ongoing provider before and after the session.
*Any weekend or evening (after 4pm) bookings are provided at premium rate with additional $50 more/hour.
Do I Need to Be in Therapy Before an Intensive?
Yes. Because of the depth and intensity of this work, clients are required to have an ongoing therapist before participating in an intensive.
Having a therapist ensures that you have consistent support to help you process, integrate, and sustain the changes that emerge from the intensive. As part of the process, I will collaborate with your therapist before and after our work together to promote continuity of care. Existing services can be a complimentary care service such as couples counseling or individual therapy but should be addressing related concerns.
If you are not currently in therapy, Path Forward Counseling is happy to explore fit for our office or we can provide referrals to trusted therapists to help you get started.
How Are Intensives Conducted?
Intensives are offered in two formats:
In-person at Minnetonka, MN office
Telehealth for clients located in Minnesota at the time the service is provided. Due to licensing requirements, services are limited to this state.
The structure and pacing of each intensive are customized based on your needs, goals, and capacity.
How Do I Learn More?
If you’re curious whether an intensive might be a good fit, the first step is a consultation. During this conversation, we’ll explore your goals, therapeutic history, and what you hope to gain from an intensive. Together, we’ll determine whether this approach aligns with your needs and readiness.
To schedule a consultation or request more information, please reach out through the contact form or email.
What Are Therapy Intensives?
Therapy intensives are extended, focused sessions designed to accelerate healing and create meaningful change in a shorter period of time. Instead of meeting weekly for months or years, intensives offer multiple hours or days of deep therapeutic work, allowing clients to address complex issues with greater continuity, safety, and momentum. Intensives are available for work with individuals and couples.
Is it worth it?
Absolutely! Intensives are especially helpful for individuals who feel “stuck” in traditional therapy, have symptoms interfering with your ability to parent, work or function, or want to make significant progress in a concentrated and supported environment.
Therapy Approaches Used:
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy that helps people process traumatic or distressing memories using bilateral stimulation such as eye movements, taps, or sounds. It works by reducing the emotional intensity of the memory while strengthening more adaptive beliefs about oneself. EMDR is evidence-based and often leads to significant symptom relief in fewer sessions compared to traditional talk therapies.
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Somatic Experience (SE) is a body-focused approach to healing trauma and chronic stress. It gently helps release tension, restore balance, and build resilience—without needing to relive painful memories. To learn more about Somatic Experience, click here Somatic Experience (SE) Therapy — Path Forward Counseling LLC
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Description text goes hereEmotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps partners understand and transform negative patterns in their relationship by focusing on emotional connection and attachment needs.
Key aspects of EFT include:
Identifying negative cycles – Couples often get stuck in repeated patterns of conflict or disconnection. EFT helps uncover these cycles and the underlying emotions driving them.
Accessing core emotions – EFT encourages partners to express vulnerable feelings (like fear of abandonment or not being enough) rather than surface-level anger or defensiveness.
Creating secure bonds – By fostering openness, empathy, and responsiveness, EFT strengthens emotional intimacy and helps couples create a more secure and supportive relationship.
EFT typically progresses through three stages:
De-escalation of conflict
Restructuring interactions through emotional engagement
Consolidation of new, healthy patterns
It’s a collaborative and gentle process rooted in attachment theory, aiming to rebuild trust and deepen emotional connection.