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Therapy Intensives in
St. Louis
Dive deeper with intensive therapy for comprehensive healing and meaningful change
What are therapy intensives?
Therapy intensives are an accelerated and concentrated form of therapy for clients seeking a deeper and extended space for healing and exploration. It is standard for traditional therapy sessions to last approximately 50 minutes for individual sessions. The first 5-10 minutes are usually spent checking in or providing updates, which leaves a shorter time for the deep work. During an intensive experience, we won’t need to catch up! Your therapy intensive session will be structured and personalized to meet your needs and goals discussed in your pre-intensive intake.
Therapy intensives are popularized for shorter treatment and “fast” results. However, intensives are not a short-cut, but a deep dive into one’s inner landscape where self-discovery unfolds illuminating paths to change.
Do traditional therapy methods leave you searching for deeper answers?
Therapy intensives can benefit individuals who:
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Manage multiple family or work commitments without compromising their mental and emotional well-being.
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Desire a deeper and uninterrupted exploration of issues that may require more time to address in “therapy hour” sessions.
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Want a comprehensive and supplementary therapeutic approach that complements their primary treatment or therapy.
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Are anticipating a big life event like a new job, relocation, birth, or marriage where clients may only need short-term support.​
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Can choose from a wider range of therapies and specialties that may not be available locally (for clients who live out of state and open to traveling).
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Enjoy experiential and a retreat-like form of therapy.
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Utilize therapy for maintenance or accountability in helping clients to reinforce coping skills.
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Have achieved their initial goals and don’t need ongoing or frequent support.
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Ready to engage in deep emotional work.
WHAT MAKES INTENSIVES A VALUABLE FORM OF THERAPY?
Reimagining therapy can transform the therapeutic process into a more responsive and holistic experience. Therapy intensives allow for clients to address specific and complex concerns in multiple hours of therapy in a given day or short series of days. This is particularly important for couples work, family, and other relationship structures. For example, a client that selects a six hour intensive will receive 8.5 hours of face-to-face hours (total includes a 90 minute pre-intensive intake, six hour intensive, and a 60 minute post-intensive session). That’s double the amount of hours that same client would have in a month of weekly hour-long sessions! Clients will have extended time to delve into their challenges more deeply, leading to meaningful breakthroughs and reducing prolonged treatment.
Squeezing in therapy sessions can be a hassle when attempting to align multiple busy schedules (e.g., couples and families). Intensives can be a convenient option where sessions are scheduled months in advance. Client’s can experience more control of their schedules when they don’t have to choose between work or family commitments and their healing.
OUR APPROACH THERAPY INTENSIVES
At Healing Exchange, we aim to create a unique approach to supporting our clients. Therapy intensives are no exception. Using holistic and a diverse range of transformational modalities, intensives offer the opportunity to immerse into uninterrupted discovery and liberation for individuals, couples or partnerships, family, and friends.
WE OFFER MULTIPLE THERAPY INTENSIVES TO ADDRESS YOUR CONCERNS AND GOALS
Individual therapy intensives offer a focused and immersive approach to personal growth and healing. These sessions allow for deeper exploration and meaningful breakthroughs in a condensed time frame. Learn more about specialized areas or concerns that we can explore in individual intensive therapy sessions for the providers below.
THERARPY INTENSIVES MIGHT INCLUDE...
​We offer a holistic range of therapeutic modalities customized to best suit your unique needs, including:
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Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
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Somatic Experiencing (SE)
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Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
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Expressive Arts Therapy
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Prepare/Enrich Assessment & Counseling
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Gottman Method Couples Therapy
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Breathwork & Mindfulness
The Intensive Therapy Process
Step 1
Request a consultation
Consultations are a great way to meet with the therapist, briefly discuss interest and goals, assess fit for therapy intensives, and ask questions. Potential clients are not obligated to move forward with intensives after their consultation. Also, the therapist may determine that the client or client needs are not currently a fit for intensive therapy. However, considerations can be made at a later time in the client’s journey.
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Once the therapist and client have agreed to move forward, a pre-intensive intake will be scheduled.
Step 3
Therapy Intensive Session
Therapy intensive sessions will be structured and personalized to meet your needs and goals discussed in your pre-intensive intake. Sessions will either take place virtually or in-person. Therapy intensive duration, agenda, and location will be determined during the pre-intensive session. Sessions can last from 3-6 hours across a single or two days. If a payment plan option is selected, full payment for sessions are due a week before the therapy intensive session(s).
Step 2
Pre-Intensive Intake
The pre-intensive intake takes place at the Healing Exchange office or virtually, and is scheduled for 90 minutes. During the intake, the therapist and client will establish rapport and gather comprehensive information about the client’s history, current challenges, and treatment goals. The pre-intensive intake is crucial for the development of a personalized treatment plan, workbook, and intensive session(s).
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After completing the intake, the therapy intensive will be scheduled. All therapy intensives will be scheduled at least a month after the intake. This will give the therapist time to create the necessary materials for the client’s intensive experience and accommodate for any payment plans. The client will receive their personalized treatment plan, workbook, and additional materials one week before their scheduled intensive session.
Step 4
Post-Intensive Intake
A 90-minute session to debrief the experience and reflect on areas of insight, relief, transformation, and next steps for continued growth and healing. All post-intensive sessions will be scheduled at least one month after the intensive session(s).
Clinicians Offering Therapy Intensives
Rafaella Smith-Fiallo (she/ella)
LCSW, Relationship, Sex & Trauma Therapist
Rafaella specializes in helping people understand how their history shows up in present relationships. She is attachment oriented, trauma-informed, sex-positive, and is deeply invested in exploring ways for people to be more connected to self and others in ways that allow growth, accountability, and pleasure. Rafaella enjoys providing extended sessions and therapy intensives for those who are looking to engage in deeper work, not simply quicker work. She works best with those who understand that self-work is an ever present practice and worth the dedication and effort.
Rafaella offers intensives for individuals & relationships:
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Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocsing (EMDR)
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​Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
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Gottman Method Couples Therapy
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Healing Breathwork & Erotic Breathwork
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Learn more about Rafaella!
Melony Crayton (she/her)
M.ED, LPC, NCC
Melony is a passionate relationship, sex, and trauma therapist and certified sound practitioner. With a focus on redefining healing and wellness, she is dedicated to challenging the myths and biases within the mental health field. She works closely with clients to support them in releasing past identities, traumas, and behaviors that impact intimacy with themselves and others. Melony is particularly passionate about relational repair, aiming to shift the landscape of intimate relationships from pain to pleasure. Through her work, Melony witnesses the profound beauty of personal transformation and connection.
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Melony offers intensives for individuals, relationships & groups:
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Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
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Somatic Experiencing (SE)
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
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Sound Healing
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Prepare/Enrich Assessment & Counseling
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Gottman Method Couples Therapy​
Learn more about Melony!
FAQs
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1. What is a therapy intensive?
A therapy intensive is an immersive therapeutic experience designed to provide focused, in-depth counseling over a condensed period. It typically involves several hours of therapy per day over a few days or a week, allowing for deep exploration and rapid progress.
2. Who can benefit from therapy intensives?
Therapy intensives are beneficial for individuals, couples, or families navigating complex concerns that require concentrated attention. They are ideal for those experiencing relationship challenges, trauma, anxiety, depression, or major life transitions.
3. How is a therapy intensive different from regular therapy sessions?
Unlike traditional therapy, which occurs weekly or biweekly, therapy intensives offer extended sessions over a short timeframe. This approach allows for more profound insights and breakthroughs that might take months in a regular setting.
4. What can I expect during a therapy intensive?
Therapy intensives are tailored to address the specific needs, goals, and preferences of the individual or group participating in the intensive. Sessions are structured to incorporate various therapeutic modalities, techniques, and interventions to optimize the therapeutic process and best possible outcomes.
5. How long does a therapy intensive last?
The duration varies based on individual or group needs but typically ranges from 1-2 days. Each day involves 3-6 hours of therapy, allowing for deep and sustained focus on your goals.
6. How should I prepare for a therapy intensive?
Preparation involves identifying your goals and challenges to discuss with your therapist. It's also beneficial to clear your schedule as much as possible to fully engage in the experience and avoid distractions before intensive session(s). This includes making time for adequate sleep before the intensive and rest afterwards.
7. Will I have the same therapist throughout the intensive?
Yes, continuity is key to the intensive process, so you'll work with the same therapist or therapeutic team throughout to ensure consistency and deeper understanding.
8. Is follow-up care provided after the intensive?
Yes, follow-up care is a critical component. We offer post-intensive sessions to help integrate the insights gained and provide ongoing support as needed.
9. How much does a therapy intensive cost?
Therapy intensive rates are $175 per hour for individuals and $200 per hour for couples/relationships. Please contact us for reduced rates and payment plans options.
10. Are therapy intensives covered by insurance?
Intensive therapy sessions are provided by a private pay therapist and are not covered by insurance.
11. Can I attend a therapy intensive virtually?
Yes, we offer virtual therapy intensives for those who prefer or require remote participation. Virtual sessions are conducted via secure video conferencing. Clients participating in virtual sessions must be located in Missouri during the duration of their session(s). Please note that it may be determined that certain intensive therapy sessions are beneficial in-person depending on the client’s needs.
12. What if I need to cancel or reschedule my intensive?
We understand that life happens. Please refer to our cancellation policy for details on rescheduling or refunds. We aim to be as accommodating as possible.
13. How do I get started with booking a therapy intensive?
To begin, schedule an initial consultation to discuss your needs and tailor an intensive program for you.
14. I live out of state, can I still participate in a therapy intensive?
Yes! Individuals who are willing to travel to St. Louis, MO can participate and benefit from therapy intensives. Since therapy intensives are structured to hold space for multiple hours of concentrated work, clients can maximize their experience in one visit.
15. Am I allowed to book ongoing intensives?
Of course! Many clients find that regular intensives provide them with support and focus they need for their personal growth and healing. Please note that intensives are scheduled out at least a month from the previous intensive session(s) and dependent on availability.
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16. Can I participate in intensive sessions if I am already a client?
Absolutely! Let’s discuss how intensives can compliment your treatment. Please note that a pre-intensive intake is not required for current clients. Intensive rate will be adjusted for current clients who do not require a pre-intensive intake.
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17. Will we be talking the whole time?
Therapy intensives will include cognitive processing or reflection. However, the purpose of therapy intensives is to allow for deeper exploration without relying heavily on traditional talk therapy models or just “talking.” Sessions will incorporate experiential activities and body-based and non-talk modalities (such as sound healing, mindfulness practices, art, etc.) to create a comprehensive or holistic healing environment.
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18. Why are intensive sessions a higher investment than standard sessions?
Therapy intensives tend to be higher investment due to the personalized, concentrated nature of the sessions. Each intensive involves extensive preparation, specialized approaches and customized resources (e.g., workbook), and longer hours of dedicated therapeutic work.
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However, therapy intensives may be a cost-effective option compared to going to weekly or bi-weekly therapy for months or years. Sessions are condensed to a shorter time frame, often leading to quicker breakthroughs and resolution of issues. For example, intensive sessions may address core concerns more efficiently, reducing the number of sessions and resulting in lower total costs in the long run.