Choosing to attend an intensive is a major step toward healing. Whether you’re coming for help with sexual addiction, betrayal trauma, intimacy anorexia, relationship crisis, or past trauma, many people wonder what the experience will actually look like.
Understanding the logistics and structure of an intensive can help you arrive prepared and ready to focus fully on the work of healing.
Below are some of the most common questions people ask before attending a therapy intensive at Heart to Heart Counseling Center.
What Does the Schedule Look Like During an Intensive?
Every intensive is personalized to the individual or couple attending. Your schedule will be designed by your counselor based on what will be most helpful for your healing journey.
You will receive your schedule on the first day after meeting with your counselor, and the sessions will be tailored to address your specific situation and goals.
Because intensives are designed to provide deep and focused work, your days will often include multiple counseling sessions, attending groups, and psychoeducational videos and homework.
You can learn more about the benefits of intensive therapy from this article by Hannah Holmes on Psychology Today: How Effective Are Therapy Intensives?
Is an Intensive a Retreat With Other Couples?
One common misconception is that intensives are group retreats.
In reality, intensives at Heart to Heart Counseling Center are private counseling experiences. Each person or couple works through their own intensive process rather than participating in a shared retreat with other couples.
This structure allows therapists to focus fully on your specific challenges and goals.
Explore intensive options at www.drdougweiss.com/intensives/
Are Intensives Covered by Insurance?
Intensives are not typically covered by insurance, and clients are responsible for paying the full cost of the program.
While this can be an important consideration for many people, the focused format of intensives often allows individuals and couples to accomplish significant therapeutic work in a much shorter period of time than traditional weekly therapy.
Upon request, we are happy to provide a statement of services that you may submit directly to your insurance provider for possible out of network reimbursement.
What Should You Wear to an Intensive?
Comfort is important during an intensive.
Since you will be participating in counseling sessions and group work throughout the day, comfortable clothing is recommended.
The goal of the experience is to focus on healing, reflection, and personal growth rather than formality.
Should You Plan Sightseeing During Your Trip?
Although many people travel to attend intensives in Colorado Springs, it is important to approach the experience with the right expectations.
Intensives are not vacations. Your schedule will often be full, and there may be little to no free time between sessions.
Because of this, it is best to plan your trip around the therapeutic work rather than sightseeing.
If you are traveling from out of state, you can learn more about the area by visiting www.visitcos.com
Do You Need to Arrange Your Own Travel and Lodging?
Yes. Transportation, food, and lodging are not included in the cost of the intensive.
Clients are responsible for arranging their own accommodations and travel plans. However, when you schedule an intensive, the center can provide a list of recommended local hotels to help you plan your stay.
Should You Rent a Car?
Renting a car is strongly recommended.
Although rideshare services like Uber are available in Colorado Springs, having your own vehicle makes it much easier to move between your hotel and the counseling center, especially since your schedule may allow only short breaks between sessions.
Some groups may also occur early in the morning or later in the evening, which can make relying on transportation services difficult.
Are Therapy Groups Co-Ed?
No. Groups are separated by gender.
Men meet with men and women meet with women during group sessions.
This structure helps create a safe environment where participants can speak openly about sensitive experiences and struggles.
Learn more about our support groups.
How Should You Prepare Before an Intensive?
There is no required preparation before attending your intensive.
Clients are not expected to send information or complete specific assignments beforehand. Instead, the work begins when you arrive and meet with your counselor.
This allows the therapy process to be guided by your counselor’s professional assessment of what will be most helpful for you.
Preparing Yourself for the Experience
Although there is no formal preparation required, the most helpful mindset you can bring is openness and willingness.
Intensives are designed to help individuals and couples address deep emotional and relational issues in a focused environment. When participants fully engage in the process, many experience clarity and breakthroughs that had previously felt out of reach.
Heart to Heart Counseling Center has spent decades helping individuals and couples navigate challenges such as sexual addiction, intimacy anorexia, betrayal trauma, and relationship crisis through counseling and intensive therapy programs.
Taking the First Step Toward Healing
Attending an intensive requires courage. It also provides an opportunity to step away from everyday distractions and focus fully on the work of healing.
For many individuals and couples, those focused days become the moment when confusion turns into clarity, and when lasting change finally begins.
You can learn more about these programs here:
https://www.drdougweiss.com/intensives/
Call 719-278-3708 or email heart2heart@xc.org to speak with the team about scheduling an intensive.
An Intensive Testimonial
“Your format was more than expected. The depth of knowledge of your many therapists is amazing. Plus the groups are fantastic. My expectations about your facility were amazing. I’m going to be missing this great environment. Your staff is so kind, and everyone here at Heart to Heart just blew me away. I’m thinking I may need to move here. Thank you for the wonderful experience.” – R.G.
References
Bertuzzi, V., Fratini, G., Tarquinio, C., Cannistrà, F., Granese, V., Giusti, E. M., Castelnuovo, G., & Pietrabissa, G. (2021). Single-session therapy by appointment for the treatment of anxiety disorders in youth and adults: A systematic review of the literature. Frontiers in Psychology, 12.
Foa, E. B., McLean, C. P., Zang, Y., Rosenfield, D., Yadin, E., Yarvis, J. S., … & Peterson, A. L. (2018). Effect of prolonged exposure therapy delivered over 2 weeks vs 8 weeks vs present-centered therapy on PTSD symptom severity in military personnel: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 319, 354–364.
Öst, L. G. (1989). One-session treatment for specific phobias. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 27, 1–7.Shapiro, F. (2001). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
