Intensive trauma therapy

October 22, 2023 1:18 AM

I've recently become interested in the idea of a intensive (one week) trauma therapy session. I have two questions: have you tried this and what were the results? Second, any recommendations for a provider?

I'm interested in the short sharp element of intensive therapy to help get my life back on track quickly, rather than spending a year doing weekly sessions. I'm looking to deal with a combo of childhood abuse, pregnancy loss and ADHD symptoms which have led to some poor self esteem and complex PTSD issues.

I would love to hear, for better or worse, if you've tried this and, I'll be happy to hear any inpatient/outpatient provider suggestions worldwide as long as it's in English (I can spend maybe up to $10,000 on this exercise, but not $100,000 — here's looking at you, Swiss health retreats.)

posted by socky_puppy to Health & Fitness (8 answers total)

Are you doing regular therapy now? As someone with PTSD and ADHD a LOT of the benefits of therapy is the work in between sessions instilling new practices and habits. I have done a couple of retreats that have had their own benefits but imo it’s not a replacement for a continued therapy practice.
posted by openhearted at 6:46 AM on October 22, 2023 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: Not currently — I've moved to a new country this year and haven't found a good solution in English. However, I've done a lot over the years, the longest for a two year stint of weekly sessions. I am getting to the midpoint perhaps in my life and I'd really like to put to bed some of the past that continually interferes in my every day.
posted by socky_puppy at 6:54 AM on October 22, 2023 [1 favorite]

This American Life podcast has an episode “Ten Sessions” that explores intensive therapy from a first-person perspective (one person) that includes PTSD that might offer more detailed insight.
posted by childofTethys at 8:00 AM on October 22, 2023 [3 favorites]

Have you looked into MDMA assisted therapy for PTSD? That could be an option. It's supposed to be very effective and is done in only a few intensive sessions.
posted by twelve cent archie at 8:18 AM on October 22, 2023 [1 favorite]

My own experience with similar issues leads me to wonder about expectations. I am now 65 and have been working on this stuff for a VERY long time… but the most dramatic changes in a short period of time came from EMDR. If you can reprocess relatively quickly it might be what you’re looking for.

There is a lot of stuff that is new nowadays. Much of it is in trial. Things that involve drugs (especially those I might have abused) I tend to be leery of. I do take meds but am kind of a minimalist with them, and have assistance from a prescriber.

My experience has been that activation tends to recur in cycles. I do better, then something happens and I wind up facing the past in new clothing so to speak. But over a period of time things have become much better.

I wish you the very best in your journey toward feeling better!
posted by cybrcamper at 8:37 PM on October 22, 2023 [1 favorite]

A term to use in your search would be IOP aka Intensive Outpatient therapy. I've not heard of a one-week IOP program (they typically last 4-8 weeks). Some are virtual, many are in-person.
posted by Mouse Army at 5:42 AM on October 23, 2023

Check out EMDR therapy. I've seen huge successes with several friends having similar trauma as you describe.
posted by summerstorm at 10:17 AM on October 24, 2023

Response by poster: For any one reading later: I've booked a long weekend of EMDR therapy in the UK. For people in the US, this option seemed decent.
posted by socky_puppy at 12:44 AM on October 31, 2023 [1 favorite]