Intensive Therapy Retreats

Intensive Therapy Retreats offers private, one-to-one trauma therapy intensives in downtown Northampton, Massachusetts, with further locations in East Granby, Connecticut, and Auburn, California. Clients work with a single therapist for anything from a half day to five days, using three trauma methods: EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

Approach

Its founder, Dr Bambi Rattner, Psy.D., is a certified EMDR consultant, and the clinicians each work independently under a shared practice model. EMDR is the foundation of the work, and each retreat is planned around the client’s own goals. A full day runs up to 6 hours with a lunch break, which the practice compares to about eight sessions of 45 to 50 minutes.

Who it is for

The retreats are aimed at survivors of trauma, PTSD and childhood, physical or sexual abuse. They also address depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and chronic stress, often in people for whom weekly talk therapy has not been enough.

Practical details

A full day costs $1,600 and a half day $855 at the standard rate; two senior clinicians charge more, bank transfers earn a discount, and a sliding scale is available on request. Insurance is not accepted, but financing through Affirm runs from 6 to 36 months at 10% above the standard rate. The Northampton office is in a historic Quaker building downtown, and most clients stay in nearby hotels or inns. Retreats run all year, after a free first conversation with a therapist.

Care and safety

People in a very fragile state or with an active addiction are asked to stabilise first, and anyone actively considering suicide must be in a therapist’s care before attending. Participants avoid alcohol and drugs for 2 days before and throughout the retreat.