Can Therapy Intensives Be Done Online?

The short answer: Yes!

Many clients love the option of virtual intensives. For some, it’s about comfort and convenience. For others, it’s a matter of accessibility or safety. Online intensives allow clients to receive deep, focused care without the added stress of travel or logistics — and for many, that makes the healing process even more possible.

Why Clients Choose Online Therapy Intensives

There are many reasons a client might prefer to attend an intensive virtually:

  • Comfort and convenience of home: A new mom may prefer to do an online intensive so she can be available to nurse her baby.

  • Accessibility for caregivers, parents, and busy professionals: A caregiver may want to be home during breaks in case of emergencies.

  • Overcoming barriers: Someone who doesn’t drive, lives in a rural area, or has a disability may find online intensives much more accessible.

  • Safety for immunocompromised clients: Virtual intensives provide a way to receive deep care while protecting health.

  • Weather or travel concerns: Clients don’t have to miss their intensive due to snow, storms, or other transportation barriers.

The truth is: online intensives make therapy more flexible and accessible without sacrificing depth or transformation.

How to Create a Premium Virtual Therapy Intensive

Virtual therapy intensives offer flexibility and deep transformation for your clients, all from the comfort of their chosen space. To create an impactful and memorable experience, here are five ways to elevate the experience:

Add a Personal Touch (with Permission and Privacy)

Surprise your clients with something tangible before their intensive begins, like a welcome card or a curated self-care kit with tea, snacks, or a journal.

  • Always get permission through a quick survey (ask about preferences, allergies, and sensitivities).

  • Ensure privacy: don’t mark the package with anything that reveals it’s from a therapy office or include your practice name in the return address.

Support Client Choice in Their Environment

Encourage clients to choose where they’ll feel most supported. Some may stay at home, while others may book an Airbnb or retreat space for privacy and focus. Empower them to decide what feels best.

Plan Restful Breaks with Clear Boundaries

Build breaks into your schedule and keep the video session running so the connection isn’t lost. Let clients know you’ll mute and turn off your camera while they stretch, reflect, or rest. Be clear about privacy: offer the option to log out and rejoin if they prefer.

Help Clients Prepare a Supportive Space

Encourage clients to gather comfort items ahead of time — snacks, grounding tools, cozy blankets, or drinks. Ask about confidentiality needs: do they need headphones in a shared home? Do they have a private space where others won’t overhear? These small details protect safety and trust.

Prioritize Aftercare and Integration

Work with your client to plan how they’ll care for themselves after the intensive. Examples: journaling prompts, a calming walk, or a nourishing meal. If you plan to check in afterward, always get consent and protect their privacy in emails, texts, or calls.

Are Virtual Therapy Intensives as Effective as In-Person?

Many therapists wonder if online intensives are “less than” in-person work. In reality, they can be just as effective when thoughtfully designed.

  • What research and client feedback show: Clients consistently report that virtual sessions feel deeply connected and immersive. The extended time and focus of an intensive format often outweigh the lack of physical presence.

  • How to adapt your modality for online work: Whether you practice CBT, IFS, EFT, or somatic therapies, most approaches translate well online. Simple adaptations — like grounding exercises clients can do in their own space — keep the work impactful.

Ethical Considerations for Online Intensives

When offering online intensives, prioritize ethics and confidentiality:

  • Informed consent and confidentiality online: Clearly explain how virtual intensives work, what technology will be used, and any risks.

  • Mailing client materials with privacy safeguards: Only send packages with explicit client consent. Avoid external markings that could violate confidentiality.

  • Choosing secure platforms for sessions: Use HIPAA-compliant video platforms, confirm clients have stable internet access, and ensure no recordings are made without informed consent.

Final Thoughts: Meeting Clients Where They Are

Virtual therapy intensives aren’t “less than” in-person work — they’re simply another way to meet clients exactly where they are. For clients facing caregiving responsibilities, disability, illness, transportation barriers, or inclement weather, online intensives create a bridge to healing that might otherwise feel out of reach.

With thoughtfulness, creativity, and attention to ethics, you can create a premium, transformative experience that protects confidentiality, honors client choice, and fosters deep healing.

Want Support Creating Custom Intensives?

If you’d like step-by-step support in creating custom intensives — whether online or in person — check out my Launch Guide Program. It will help you design, price, and confidently offer intensives that serve your clients deeply and sustain your practice with freedom and clarity.

Previous
Previous

How to Market Therapy Intensives Without Burning Out

Next
Next

Do I Need EMDR Training to Offer Therapy Intensives?