Your Guide to Therapy Intensives
What Happens and How They Can Help Your Teen
If you’re a parent considering a therapy intensive for your teen but aren’t quite sure what to expect, you’re not alone. Therapy intensives can be a powerful way to help teens achieve deeper healing in less time, but they can feel like a big commitment.
Why Choose a Therapy Intensive for Your Teen?
You’re sitting at home, searching for answers like:
“online therapist for teens.”
“teen therapist near me,”
or maybe even, “cure anxiety fast.”
Therapy intensives provide a focused, immersive experience that allows teens to address their challenges in a concentrated period. Unlike weekly sessions, which can take time to build momentum, intensives give your teen the space and time to dive deep and make meaningful progress.
By dedicating this block of time, your teen will have the opportunity to:
Understand and process their emotions more deeply.
Gain tools to manage anxiety, stress, or low self-esteem.
Work through specific challenges without distractions.
What Happens During an Intensive?
Here’s what you and your teen can expect during a therapy intensive:
Pre-Interview: Before the intensive, we’ll conduct a detailed pre-interview to discuss your teen’s goals, challenges, and any specific concerns. This allows me to prepare a customized workbook tailored to their unique needs, so we can hit the ground running during the session. Together, we’ll define clear, actionable objectives to focus on during the session.
Customized Workbook: Your teen will receive a personalized workbook designed to guide them through therapeutic exercises and reflection during the session and beyond.
Therapeutic Interventions: I’ll guide your teen through evidence-based techniques such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help them process difficult emotions or past experiences, and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) to teach them skills like emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. Learn About EMDR
Reflection and Integration: At the end of the session, we’ll spend time reflecting on key takeaways and creating actionable steps for your teen to continue their progress.
By the time your teen completes the intensive, they’ll have practical tools, and just feel shocked at how much progress has been made in a short amount of time. I can’t tell you how many client’s of mine are just amazed about their feelings of relief after spending 2 hours with me.
How to Prepare for Your Teen’s Intensive
Encourage Rest Before and After: Help your teen take it easy the night before and plan a low-key evening afterward to process their emotions.
Discuss Their Goals: Talk with your teen about what they hope to achieve or address during the session.
Provide Emotional Support: Let them know it’s okay to feel nervous and that you’re there to support them every step of the way.
Plan Logistically: Therapy intensives are typically scheduled on weekends and can be held in your home (if located in North Jersey), at my Fairfield, NJ office, or virtually for clients in NJ, FL, or VT. Ensure your teen is in a comfortable, distraction-free environment.
Who Are Therapy Intensives Best For?
Therapy intensives are ideal for teens who:
Are Facing Specific Challenges: Whether it’s anxiety, grief, or low self-esteem, intensives can help address these issues in a focused way.
Need Faster Progress: If your teen feels stuck or is looking for quicker results, intensives offer a concentrated path forward.
Prefer Short-Term Therapy: If weekly sessions don’t fit your teen’s schedule, intensives provide an effective alternative.
Therapy intensives aren’t just for teens in crisis—they’re for any teen ready to dig deep, heal, and move forward with clarity and confidence!! If you’re ready to explore how a therapy intensive can help your teen, schedule a free consultation today. Together, we can create a plan that supports your teen’s unique needs and helps them thrive.
*NJ, FL, VT residents only
Struggling with your American and South/East Asian identities? Check out our friends at Intentional Therapy. They offer EMDR intensives to residents of FL & TX, specific to your unique bi-cultural experience.
