How to Know if a Therapy Intensive Is Right for Your Client

Sometimes, the clearest sign is simply: “I wish we had more time.”

If you've ever found yourself looking at the clock thinking,
“We’re just getting somewhere—and now I have to wrap this up?”
You’re not alone.

That moment—when your client is finally opening up, when the real work is beginning, and suddenly your 50 minutes are up—is one of the most common signs that an intensive might be the better fit.

Therapy intensives create the time and space for deep, focused work. Instead of stretching the process over months (with emotional cliffhangers between sessions), you get to stay with the momentum, help clients integrate in real time, and offer a more immersive experience.

So, how do you know if an intensive is right for one of your clients? Let’s take a look.

1. They’ve literally said, “I wish we had more time.”

This one might be obvious—but it’s powerful. If a client has expressed frustration about the time limits of traditional sessions, it’s a strong signal they’re craving something deeper. You may have even felt it too—that your current sessions aren’t spacious enough for the kind of work you both want to be doing.

2. They struggle to drop in during a 50-minute session.

For some clients, it takes time to shift gears from daily life into emotional work. They might stay in their head, avoid their body, or need a longer runway to reach vulnerable content. With an intensive, you don’t have to rush. You can gently support them into the process without bumping up against the clock.

3. You’re concerned about what happens between sessions.

This is especially true for couples in conflict or clients navigating trauma. Maybe something big gets stirred up—and then they’re sent back into life without enough time to process or stabilize.

An intensive allows you to stay with the emotional thread, move through a full arc, and support your client in coming out the other side with more clarity and regulation.

4. Weekly therapy just doesn’t work for their schedule.

Some clients have unpredictable work hours, travel often, or are juggling multiple roles (parent, partner, caregiver). Others may simply prefer to work intensively every few months instead of committing to weekly appointments.

An intensive can provide flexibility and effectiveness—without requiring them to be in your office every Tuesday at 2.

5. They’re preparing for—or recovering from—a major life event.

Whether it’s preparing for college, a wedding, parenthood, or retirement—or healing from a loss, a traumatic birth, a recent diagnosis, or an identity shift—some seasons call for a more focused, supportive container. Intensives can help clients move through big transitions with more grounding and guidance.

6. They’re curious about depth-oriented therapy or want something more specialized.

Some clients are actively seeking deeper work. They’re drawn to somatic therapy, EMDR, parts work, or relational healing—and they’re willing to devote time and energy to it. An intensive can be a powerful way to meet that interest with intention and care.

7. They’re looking for rapid relief or stabilization.

This doesn’t mean rushing. It means offering a spacious, accelerated format for clients who are overwhelmed, stuck, or in urgent need of support. Many people don’t want to feel like they’ll be “in therapy forever.” They want to feel better sooner. And intensives can help.

If you’re reading this and thinking of one (or a few) specific clients, here’s what I suggest:

👉 Grab my free script to invite current clients to consider a therapy intensive
It’s designed to be warm, respectful, and collaborative—so you can introduce the idea in a way that feels supportive, not salesy.

And if you want to learn more about how intensives work (plus how to design one for your practice), I’ve got a free training just for you:

🎓 Therapy Intensives 101: A Free Training for Therapists  Inside, we cover the structure, strategy, and clinical considerations so you can feel confident about whether this model is right for you and your clients.

Your clients are ready for deeper healing.
You’re ready to offer it.
Let’s make it happen—one intentional session at a time.