Intensive Therapy FAQ's
Do I have to be a Virginia resident to attend an Intensive Therapy Retreat at WellSpring?
You do not need to be a Virginia resident to attend an intensive retreat with us. Our providers are licensed in VA and can provide services in the state of Virginia, which is where your retreat will be located. We are not able to provide services once you are outside the state (unless the provider holds a license in your state).
Can I be in regular therapy (with another provider) and still attend an Intensive Retreat?
Yes, absolutely! Intensive therapy can be arranged collaboratively with your current therapist, and you will return to regular therapy afterwards. Doing an intensive with us does not mean you will continue therapy at WellSpring on a regular basis.
Can I schedule my intensive in the summer when I am out of school/work?
Yes! One of the major benefits of intensive therapy is that you have the option of fitting in significant therapeutic work in a short time, which can be much less disruptive for teenagers, college students, teachers, or others who have variable schedules.
Why should I choose intensive therapy versus weekly therapy?
This is a great question. Although both types of therapy are useful and effective, intensive therapy has the benefit of getting to the root of things quickly and effectively, and providing significant, long-term relief from symptoms. Oftentimes, weekly therapy must spend more time focused on treating the symptom and providing coping skills to help you manage symptoms over time. The intensive model allows us to focus on addressing the underlying issues so that you do not need to cope with ongoing symptoms, or at least experience a significant reduction in symptoms.
Who will I be working with?
You will be working directly with a doctoral level clinical psychologist or master's level therapist with a minimum of 10 years post-licensure experience, a clinical specialization in the area of focus of the intensive retreat, additional experience in consultation, supervision, and/or training of other professionals, and specialized training in providing research-based intensive treatment models.
Currently, the following providers are offering intensive therapy retreats at WellSpring:
Dr. Elisabeth Jerome, Ph.D., LCP, EMDR Certified Provider, Approved Consultant and Trainer
Dr. Robyn Van Brunt, Ph.D., LCP, EMDR Trained Provider
Currently, the following providers are offering intensive therapy retreats at WellSpring:
Dr. Elisabeth Jerome, Ph.D., LCP, EMDR Certified Provider, Approved Consultant and Trainer
Dr. Robyn Van Brunt, Ph.D., LCP, EMDR Trained Provider
Are Intensive Retreats the same as intensive outpatient programs? Are these retreats appropriate for crisis situations?
No. Intensive outpatient programs (or IOP's) and in-patient treatment programs are designed for crisis situations. Intensive Therapy Retreats are not appropriate for individuals who are currently at risk of suicide or who are in crisis. Other treatments, focused on stabilization and skills building will be more appropriate. Crisis services are not available at WellSpring.
How long will my retreat be?
A variety of options are available, ranging from 1-day brief intensives to 5-7 day weeklong intensives. The length of the retreat will depend on personal preference, and on how much you wish to accomplish. While one-day retreats may allow time to focus on one specific time-limited intervention, 5-day retreats may allow time to address many of the underlying experiences that contribute to your current symptoms. More complex trauma histories will take longer to address. We do our best to recommend the appropriate length of retreat to meet your stated goals. However, our main focus will always be meeting you where you are, and the goals and objectives of your retreat may shift as we learn more about you and your specific needs.
What if I need more time than I booked?
Our goal is to help you achieve the maximum benefit from your intensive, with the hopes that you will not need to return! However, sometimes individuals will wish to add time onto the end of a retreat. We will try to accommodate this when possible. You also have the option of scheduling an additional retreat in the future.
What can I expect when I attend my retreat?
Most retreats begin with brief introductions, history taking, creating a joint treatment plan, and teaching basic mindfulness or relaxation techniques that you can use throughout the retreat. After lunch on the first day, we are generally able to begin treatment. With EMDR and FLASH we are able to work relatively quickly to identify specific life experiences that underlie your current symptoms, and we will begin working to process each of these events. We may incorporate other techniques (e.g., attachment-based interventions, additional relaxation or mindfulness training, IFS/ego-state work, etc.) as needed.
What if I don't want to talk about my past?
Our treatment does not require you to share details of difficult events you have experienced. It is possible to work through difficult events without the therapist knowing exactly what happened. However, you will need to be willing to think about things, and notice your reactions in order to experience success.
Should I bring someone with me?
This will be discussed at intake. Children and adolescents under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian (although that person may not need to attend the actual therapy sessions). For adults, in some cases we may recommend bringing someone with you, particularly if they need to be involved in the therapy or if they can help you to maintain stability in the evenings after sessions.
You mention "trauma" a lot, what if I don't have a trauma history?
We all have bumps in the road, whether large or small. Life's challenges impact how we see ourselves, the world around us, and how we engage with other people. If you are experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship problems, panic, or other symptoms that are either caused by or exacerbated by difficult life experiences, our intensive retreats can help. Difficult experiences include parental divorce, difficult relationships with caregivers, loss of a loved one, difficult break-ups, military experiences, car accidents, medical trauma, chronic illness, raising a child with special needs, any many more. If you notice that you are having strong reactions to something in the present, chances are there is a reason! And that is where we can help.
Do intensive retreats offer a benefit for people who wish to maintain anonymity?
Confidentiality is a priority with every one of our clients, and retreats are a perfect option for individuals who wish to maintain an even greater level of anonymity. Individuals who have special interest in maintaining anonymity sometimes prefer to travel outside of their hometown to receive services. We enjoy providing services to therapists, healthcare professionals, executives, or others who may struggle to find local services that allow for anonymity.
More questions? Just ask:
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Request an intake to find out if an intensive retreat is right for you:
Request an intake to find out if an intensive retreat is right for you: