Therapy Intensives for Anxiety, OCD & Overwhelm in Burlington & Across Ontario
A different approach to therapy; longer therapy sessions where you have time to slow down, settle into the session and focus on yourself in a way that isn’t always possible with traditional weekly therapy sessions.
Think of a therapy intensive as a springboard for healing.
Therapy intensives offer a different way of approaching therapy for anxiety, OCD, stress, burnout, and overwhelm. Instead of fitting in 50 minute sessions spread over a number of weeks or months, a therapy intensive gives you 2 - 3 hours at a time to work on feeling more grounded and at peace.
Is a Therapy Intensive Right For You?
Do you want to start therapy but you feel like something keeps getting in the way? Or have you tried therapy and didn’t see the results you wanted?
A therapy intensive may be right for you if:
You have a busy schedule and find it difficult to commit to weekly therapy.
You find it difficult to set aside time for yourself and would benefit from dedicating a chunk of time to your own wellbeing without the usual interruptions and responsibilities of everyday life
You’ve tried weekly therapy before but often felt like you were just getting started when the session ended.
You notice that each session becomes focused on the anxieties and stresses you have experienced since the last session, making it difficult to focus on the deeper work and healing.
You feel like you've been working hard in therapy but aren't seeing the changes you were hoping for, and wonder whether a different format might help you build greater momentum..
Now that you know about therapy intensives you find yourself thinking, "This just makes sense to me."
Why More Time Can Matter
One of the most common things I hear from clients at the end of a therapy session is, "It's over already?!"
Therapy intensives aren't intended to replace weekly therapy, they simply offer another option for people who may benefit from a different approach. Every person is different, and there is no single therapy format that works best for everyone.
For many people, it takes time to settle into therapy. You’ve had a hectic day, you were stuck in traffic, you are thinking about what to make for dinner. It takes time at the beginning of the session to slow down and shift your attention away from everything else that has been demanding your time and energy and finally focus on yourself.
50-minute sessions can interrupt people’s ‘flow.’ What I mean by that is, just as they feel like they are gaining insight or are feeling relaxed enough to dig deeper, the session comes to an end.
In a therapy intensive session the extra time can help you feel less rushed; you can continue working through what's coming up. You can continue exploring, to ask questions, to feel your emotions and process that experience, to practice new skills, and build on what you're learning while it’s still fresh without watching the clock.
More time creates opportunity. The opportunity for you to
slow down
relax
focus on yourself
learn
reconnect with yourself
deepen your understanding
slow down your thoughts
practice skills you’ll use in your everyday life.
It give the opportunity to gain greater clarity, confidence, and hope.
What to Expect From Therapy Intensives
Every therapy intensive is thoughtfully planned and personalized to help you get the most out of your time. The agenda will be discussed with you prior to booking to ensure it feels right. Despite it being personalized, there are 4 main separate parts; the consultation, the intake, the intensive session and the follow-up session. See below for more details:
-
This is a 30 minute conversation, no therapy is done in this meeting. This is when we get to know one another. I’ll ask you a little about what brings you to therapy, I’ll tell you about therapy intensives and we’ll determine whether a therapy intensive feels like the right fit for your goals.
If we think it’s the right approach then we’ll review the investment, answer any questions you have and ensure you know what to expect.
Finally, if you would like to proceed, we’ll schedule your intake and therapy sessions.
-
Before your therapy intensive, we'll meet for a 60-minute information gathering intake appointment.
This gives me the opportunity to get detailed information about what you are experiencing and struggling with and who you are as a person
The better I understand your experiences, the more personalized your therapy intensive can be. You’ll create your goal and approve the agenda for your session.
-
During your therapy intensive we'll spend meaningful, uninterrupted time working toward the goal we created during the intake appointment. You will know what to expect and you will approve the approaches that will be used before we begin.
Therapy intensive sessions may include education, learning practical strategies, exploring the patterns contributing to your distress, practicing new skills together, and developing approaches you can continue using long after the intensive is over.
We'll also take breaks as needed because therapeutic work can be emotionally demanding. The goal isn't to push through as much as possible, that can feel overwhelming. This is why I structure the session in a way that is supportive and manageable.
-
About a week after your intensive we'll reconnect for a 30-minute virtual or telephone follow-up.
We'll talk about what you've noticed, what's working, you’ll ask questions, we’ll discuss next steps, and determine if additional support is needed.
If you have questions or you are curious if a therapy incentive might be the right fit for you, fill out this form and I will get back to you soon:
Investment
Investment and Fees
Every therapy intensive is personalized for you (the time commitment, the support needed, the resources offered) and because of this the total investment varies. During your complimentary consultation, we'll discuss the recommended intensive and review the fees together before you decide whether you'd like to move forward.
Most therapy intensive sessions range from approximately $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the type and length of the intensive.
Most extended health benefits do not cover therapy intensives. However, some may offer partial reimbursement. Because coverage varies between insurance providers and plans, I recommend that you call your insurance company before booking to ask them about your reimbursement options.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
This discussion will begin during the complimentary consultation where we discuss what you're experiencing and consider factors such as the intensity of your concerns, your support system, your energy level, your readiness for change, and your goals for therapy. We'll decide together whether a therapy intensive or another therapeutic approach is the best fit for you.
-
Yes. Some people choose a therapy intensive to focus on a specific concern while continuing to work with their regular therapist. During your complimentary consultation, we'll discuss your current therapy and determine whether a therapy intensive is likely to complement the work you're already doing.
-
I completely understand why you would ask this. Any form of therapy can feel emotionally intense at times, and using the word "intensive" to describe therapy might naturally make you wonder what to expect.
I'm very mindful of your emotional responses and your nervous system throughout our time together. I check in regularly, encourage you to be honest about how you're feeling, and we move through the work at a pace that feels manageable for you. Therapy isn't about pushing through hard feelings no matter what, it’s about building your capacity to manage emotions effectively.
Each session is thoughtfully structured to create a balance between exploring your experiences, doing meaningful therapeutic work, and incorporating regulating activities and breaks. I work hard to ensure you feel safe and supported at a pace that is sustainable for you yet challenges you a little out of your comfort zone.
-
One of the biggest differences is simply having more uninterrupted time. Instead of feeling rushed in a 50-minute session, we have several hours together to slow down, settle into the session, and stay focused on what brought you to therapy.
For many people, it's easier to go deeper when they aren't watching the clock or thinking about everything waiting for them after the session. Instead of wondering what needs to get done next, a therapy intensive gives you permission to set everything else aside for a little while and focus on yourself, something that's often hard to come by when you're used to taking care of everyone else.
For some people, a therapy intensive is also simply a better fit. Whether you have a busy schedule, or you work shifts, perhaps you travel frequently, or feel ready to dedicate focused time to your wellbeing, an intensive offers another way to do therapy that may better suit your life and your goals. Weekly therapy sessions don’t fit into everyone’s life; but setting aside a chunk of time to work on a therapy goal may be more realistic for some.
-
That's a great question.
A therapy intensive is much more than simply booking a longer therapy session. It requires me to set aside large blocks of time in my schedule to create the dedicated space this type of therapy requires.
Spending several hours together requires a different level of energy and focus from me than a traditional therapy session. Because therapy intensives ask more of me as a therapist, I intentionally limit the number I offer so I can be fully present for every client.
The investment reflects the time, scheduling flexibility, and commitment required to offer this type of therapy, while also giving you the opportunity to have dedicated, uninterrupted time to focus entirely on yourself and what's most important to you.
-
About a week after your therapy intensive, we'll meet for a 30-minute follow-up by phone or video. This is an opportunity to check in, talk about what stood out since the intensive, discuss what's been working (and what hasn't), answer any new questions that may have come up, and explore what you feel you need moving forward.
For some people, the intensive provides the clarity and direction they were looking for, and they continue working toward their goals independently. Others decide they'd benefit from another therapy intensive, or ongoing 50-minute therapy sessions, or continuing with their current therapist while returning for future intensives if needed.
There isn't one "right" next step. Together, we'll decide what makes the most sense for you based on your goals and the support you feel you need
-
Yes. All therapy intensives are available both in person in Burlington and virtually for clients living anywhere in Ontario.
-
No. You don't need a formal diagnosis to benefit from therapy or to book a therapy intensive.
Are You Wondering if a Therapy Intensive is Right for You?
Many people who reach out to me are unsure whether they need a therapy intensive or whether weekly therapy would be a better fit. That's exactly what our first conversation is for. If a therapy intensive is the right fit, we'll create a plan that's tailored specifically to you. If weekly therapy would serve you better, then we can arrange for that. No pressure, this is just a discovery call.
If you're ready to explore whether a therapy intensive could help, contact me.
Book your free 30-minute consultation today.
Ljuba Udovc, RP, BA, CYC, specializes in Anxiety and OCD therapy and Therapy Intensives in-person in Burlington, Ontario and virtually for those living throughout Ontario.
Message me for more information, I’ll get back to you soon.