Intensive Trauma Therapy

[Deleted member 1860]

Hi,

I'm looking for anyone has done intensive trauma therapy? A shot in the dark, yes, as only a few places on the planet offer trauma therapy in this format.

Basically it's a one or two week program where you get 35 hours of INDIVIDUAL therapy a week. This is in stark contrast to other programs (both inpatient and outpatient) in which you only get about 3 individual sessions a week, and the rest of your time is spent in a group where you'll be lucky to speak 5 minutes in an hour, and much of your time is spent listening to other peoples problems.

I'm not a safety risk, so not a candidate for hospitalization, even in a specialty trauma unit. These sorts of places only stabilize you anyway, not letting you deal with the trauma itself, and I'm beyond needing stabilization.

I looked for other programs, but came up with very little. Anything else was a day program that was mostly group sessions, or residential programs that treat PTSD as a secondary ailment.

No, this type of therapy is not covered by insurance, as insurance only covers one individual session a day. So yes, it is quite expensive... I would not previously have considered it, but almost everything else came up short. (dozens of therapists, almost as many therapy types). I feel like I stall or backslide in between weekly therapy sessions, and this format prevents this, as well as being able to immediately address any adverse effects.

Anyway, I think I've rambled on enough! Any feedback would be appreciated.

I need to complete my intake paperwork tomorrow and call the intake coordinator. I'm fortunate that one of these therapy centers is only a few hours away, so I'm considering asking if I can meet the treatment team before I sign on the dotted line...

Hugs,
SOL

 

[ronin47]

I like that idea of meeting the treatment team. I never had the opportunity to undergo therapy that intensive, but it sounds like it could be very helpful. As you yourself pointed out, it could get you over the hump by preventing any backsliding or avoidance. The only thing I would say is be sure you are serious about being open and receptive to what they may ask you to do. That's a lot of money, time, and energy to put into something without being prepared to give it your all.

I'm proud of you for considering such a big step. It sounds to me like you already feel like this is the best thing for you. You are worth every bit of it. Don't hesitate in doing anything and everything possible to take care of yourself.

 

[evergreen]

I had a treatment team when I went for intensive trauma therapy. This was therapeutic itself. My abuse had been minimized by my family and myself for years. This team helped validate what I went through and that I was important enough to heal.
It was an expensive program, but fortunately I was covered under the Crime Victims fund for my state.

I was so blessed to receive that. Thank you for helping me remember what a gift that was for me. I went in 2006.

 

[anthony]

If its individual therapy, then it has merit... because often you just get rolling in therapy, and times up... then next week you change topics due to weekly events, so therapy becomes useless.

I am not sure whether that length has validity or not, because the simple fact is... your brain needs time to process. One or two sessions a week is useless, because little gets achieved typically, thus dragging therapy over years instead of months.

I would say give it a shot though... if its individual therapy. I can imagine it will be draining, they will provoke many reactions from you, which will show them far more than what normal weekly therapy would do... thus allowing greater targeting for you specifically.

Mine built up to 4 days a week, so 32hrs... though wasn't individual at all times, it had aspects of individual counselling.

I can see merit from this approach... albeit, extremely intensive that would still take months to sink in following the program.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Yes, it's all individual work, no group work.

I spoke with another forum member who went to the same program (same location, same therapists) a few years ago and she said it was very helpful.

 

[Mohamed]

Hi ScaredOfLonely, I am glad you posted this because I have been dealing with my issues on my own for nearly 3-4 years and have decided reecntly to take further action towards getting better. I would be grateful if you could let me know how I can get more information about this program. Thanks

<no need to quote entire post directly preceding your reply: edited by Nicolette>

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Hi again,

I just wanted to give an update.

I had a phone "interview" with the intake therapist and was accepted into their program. I am going to meet the treatment team on Monday afternoon. *keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well!* After I meet the treatment team I'll make a decision as to whether or not the program is a good fit for me.

Right now they're scheduling one month out, so it looks like I'd be going sometime between thanksgiving and Christmas. Not ideal, but I don't want to push it out any farther.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Yes, well I'm there now! Im at the beginning of my second week. I'll give a more thorough review once I'm done. But, so far so good!

The program in Georgia is an offshoot of the one I'm at now in that the therapists in GA were trained by the morgantown program. One reason I chose the Morgantown, WV program was that it's not faith based whereas the one in Georgia is. That, and I live only two hours away!

I don't have out of network benefits so it's all self pay. Nice to have an 8K bill at holiday time :-/

 

[Marita]

Yes, well I'm there now! Im at the beginning of my second week. I'll give a more thorough review once I'm done. But, so far so good!

How die

Yes, well I'm there now! Im at the beginning of my second week. I'll give a more thorough review once I'm done. But, so far so good!

You posted this quite a while ago. But how did you like the treatment in the end? I am thinking about sending my daughter there and would love some feedback (after all 8k is a lot of money)

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Hi,

Is your daughter a child or adult? The treatment differs for kids, and I would expect the price tag, too!

I really liked the program itself. I was able to process trauma that I was unable to in regular therapy. The only part I didn't like was the fact that it took them over a month to follow up with my regular therapist when they promised me it would be done in a few days. (Their fault, as my therapist tried to contact them numerous times) and any other contact ive had with them since has been a struggle.

But, the program itself was very beneficial and I'd recommend anyone who's interested it it to take a close look as i would go again if I had new trauma surface.

PS don't stay at the Ramada. It is old and musty and I got sick. After changing rooms 3 times, I finally left the hotel. Very frustrating!

If you're close enough, you can visit and meet the treatment team before committing to the program. I did, as I was hesitant about an all (mostly) female treatment team. But it worked out in the end.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I now see I promised a more thorough review! I'll do that soon, as it's now 3am!

 

[Marita]

Hi,

Is your daughter a child or adult? The treatment differs for kids, and I would expect the price tag, too!

HI, thank you so much for your reply! My daughter is almost 18 and I was hoping that they could treat her as an adult (as she has been through therapy already and is very mature).We would be able to use timeshare nearby so that would save us some money.

Do you think that this therapy helped you a lot in your approach to life? Are you a happier and more confident person because of it? My daughter is currenty struggling, the
trauma has changed her. She has pretty much lost hope that she will get better. It is exciting to think that we might have finally found a program that might work for her.