New to Therapy? Consider an Intensive for Your First Experience
If you’ve never done therapy before, just thinking about starting can stir up a swirl of emotions: anxiety, confusion, even fear. What will I say? Will it even help? What if I’m too much? These are all valid questions—and you're not alone in asking them.
Beginning therapy is a brave and vulnerable step, especially if you’re navigating the effects of past relational trauma that still echo in your current relationships. The idea of opening up to someone week after week might feel overwhelming or unclear. That’s why therapy intensives can offer a surprisingly welcoming way to begin.
Whether you’re exploring therapy for the first time or returning after a long break, an intensive therapy session may be a gentler, more focused entry point into healing—without the pressure of an open-ended weekly commitment.
Why People Hesitate to Start Therapy
Many women I work with share similar worries before starting therapy:
“I don’t know where to begin.”
“I’m afraid I’ll be judged or won’t be understood.”
“I’m not sure I have time to commit to weekly therapy.”
“What if I open up and get overwhelmed?”
These fears make perfect sense, especially if your past relationships involved betrayal, abandonment, or emotional harm. Relational trauma often teaches us to be hyper-independent, to second-guess our needs, or to feel unsafe letting others in. So the idea of showing up to weekly therapy, not knowing how it will go or how long it will take, can feel like too much too soon.
How Therapy Intensives Help Ease You In
Instead of jumping into a long-term weekly schedule, intensive therapy for beginners offers a structured, time-limited way to experience the benefits of therapy in a safe, contained format.
Think of an intensive like a deep-dive introduction to your healing—not a lifetime commitment. In one longer session (typically 2–3 hours), we can take the time to:
Explore what’s bringing you to therapy
Identify your patterns in current relationships
Begin unpacking the root of your anxiety, disconnect, or emotional overwhelm
Leave with greater clarity, insight, and a next-step plan
For many first-time therapy clients, this concentrated time helps them feel less scattered and more empowered. It’s a way to test the waters of therapy without needing to immediately commit to ongoing sessions.
What to Expect from Your First Intensive
Your first therapy intensive is designed to feel grounding, not overwhelming.
Here’s what it typically includes:
A supportive beginning: We start by orienting you to the space (virtual or in-person), going over what to expect, and helping you feel prepared for the journey.
Space to share your story—at your pace: You’ll be invited to share what’s been weighing on you, what you’re noticing in your current relationships, and what you’d like to get out of the session.
Active, compassionate support: Rather than just listening, I’ll help you connect the dots between your past experiences and current struggles, using trauma-informed approaches that prioritize your emotional safety. For many clients we will begin EMDR resourcing to support your strengths and build stability within. I will make recommendations if we move into reprocessing events during your first intensive or wait until future sessions.
A clear sense of next steps: We’ll end with practical tools, emotional insights, and personalized recommendations—whether you continue with weekly therapy, another intensive, or simply take time to integrate.
Many first-time clients leave their intensive feeling heard, relieved, and hopeful. It’s a powerful beginning that helps you feel more in control of your healing journey.
Ready to Begin Your Therapy Journey?
Starting therapy doesn’t have to be an overwhelming leap. A therapy intensive can be a gentle, focused, and empowering way to begin.
If you’re curious about whether this might be the right starting point for you, I’d love to help you explore it.
Schedule a free consultation or reach out with any questions. Let’s take the first step together—at your pace, on your terms.
