How to Price Therapy Intensives: A Guide for Therapists
If you’ve ever wrestled with the question of “How much should I charge for an intensive?” — you’re not alone.
Why Pricing Therapy Intensives Feels So Hard
Talking about money can feel tender. As therapists, most of us weren’t trained to think about pricing, profit & loss statements, or business models. In fact, many of us were encouraged to give as much as we could, often at the expense of our own well-being.
So when it comes to setting rates for intensives, it’s normal to feel some hesitation. You might wonder: Am I allowed to charge that much? Will clients pay for this? How do I know what’s fair?
Take a breath. The truth is, intensives are a premium service — and pricing them that way is not only fair, it’s in the service of your clients. Here’s why.
3 Reasons Therapy Intensives Deserve Premium Pricing
Accelerated Progress: Faster Results in Less Time
Intensives are designed for movement. Instead of waiting weeks or months for change to unfold in 50-minute sessions, intensives give clients the focused space to address a core issue and make meaningful progress right away.
That concentrated support can save clients years of time, money, and emotional energy. The investment reflects the impact: they’re not paying for “extra hours” — they’re investing in accelerated relief and healing.
A Premium Client Experience: Custom Care That Goes Deeper
Every intensive is custom-built. From the way you prepare your client beforehand, to how you hold space during, to the integration and aftercare you provide — it’s a highly intentional, elevated experience.
Clients can feel the difference. They’re stepping into something that’s been carefully designed for their needs, not a one-size-fits-all approach. That level of care and personalization is why intensives are considered a premium offering.
Transformation Over Time: Value Beyond the Hourly Rate
Traditional therapy is often tied to an hourly rate. But intensives invite us to step out of that model and focus instead on outcomes.
The value of an intensive is not in the minutes on the clock — it’s in the transformation your client experiences. The breakthroughs that ripple into their work, their relationships, and their daily sense of peace.
When you price for the transformation instead of the time, you’re honoring the depth of what you’re offering.
Examples of Therapy Intensive Pricing Models
There isn’t one “right” way to price intensives. Here are a few approaches therapists often use:
Therapy Intensive Session Rates: Half-Day and Full-Day Fees
Many therapists set a flat fee for a half-day or full-day intensive. For example:
Half-Day Intensive (3 hours): $900–$1,200
Full-Day Intensive (6 hours): $1,800–$2,400
Therapy Intensive Packages: What’s Included and Sample Pricing
Packages bundle more than just the session time — they create a full, structured experience that supports the client before, during, and after. A typical intensive package may include:
A Pre-Intensive Interview to clarify goals and ensure fit
An Intensive Client Workbook with guided reflections and exercises
The Intensive Session(s) themselves (one or multiple days)
A Post-Intensive Interview to integrate and plan next steps
Examples might look like:
Two-Day Couples Intensive: $3,600
Three-Day Trauma Healing Intensive: $5,000
Weekend Retreat Package (with follow-up): $6,000+
Therapy Intensive Payment Plans: Flexible Options That Support Clients
Because intensives are a bigger investment, offering flexible options can make them more accessible. The most common structure is 50% due at booking, and the remaining 50% on Day 1 of the intensive.
You can also break the total into smaller chunks while still securing commitment upfront. For example:
$3,000 intensive → $1,500 at booking, $1,500 on Day 1
Or: $750 at booking, then $750/month for 3 months
Payment plans allow your clients to step into the work without delay, while also honoring the value of what you provide.
Final Thoughts on Pricing Therapy Intensives With Confidence
Money and pricing can feel like vulnerable territory, especially when your heart is to serve and help. But honoring the value of your intensives is part of the healing equation. When your rates reflect the depth of this work:
Your clients commit fully to the process.
You create the financial breathing room to show up attuned and present.
Both of you experience the transformation that’s possible in this sacred container.
Get Support in Pricing and Designing Your Therapy Intensives
If you’d like more guidance on how to price, package, and confidently offer your intensives, check out my program Launch Guide. It’s designed to support you in creating intensives that feel aligned, heart-centered, and sustainable — for both you and your clients.