Art Therapy Intensives
Deep, Focused, Creative Healing
Art Therapy Intensive Sessions are designed for individuals seeking meaningful, uninterrupted time for reflection, creative exploration, and therapeutic processing. These extended sessions offer space to go deeper than what is often possible in a traditional 50–60 minute therapy hour, allowing for sustained engagement with the art-making process and your inner experience.
What Is an Art Therapy Intensive Session?
An Art Therapy Intensive is a longer-format therapeutic experience offered in either a 3-hour or 6-hour block. These sessions are facilitated by a board-certified art therapist and integrate art-making, reflection, and therapeutic dialogue in a structured yet flexible way.
Rather than rushing creativity or conversation, intensives allow time for images, materials, emotions, and insights to unfold organically. The focus is on depth, continuity, and presence - using art as a primary language for exploration, integration, and healing.
Why Commit to an Art Therapy Intensive?
Choosing an intensive is an intentional commitment to yourself and your healing process. Extended sessions can offer:
Depth and momentum: Without frequent stopping and starting, themes can be explored more fully.
Nervous system regulation: Longer sessions allow time to settle, engage, and integrate.
Creative flow: Art-making often deepens when there is space to stay with the process.
Integration: Time is built in for reflection, meaning-making, and grounding.
Efficiency: For some, an intensive can accomplish work that might otherwise take many weeks.
An intensive is not about pushing or forcing breakthroughs. It is about creating the container and conditions for deeper listening, insight, and self-connection.
Would I benefit from and Art Therapy intensive?
Intensives may be especially supportive for:
-
Processing a specific life transition or challenge
-
Exploring recovery, identity, or meaning-making
-
Working through creative blocks or emotional stuckness
-
Integrating therapeutic or spiritual growth work
-
Those who benefit from immersive, experiential approaches
Art Therapy Intensives may be a good fit if you are seeking depth, continuity, and a creative approach to healing. If you are unsure whether an intensive is appropriate for your needs at this time, a consultation can help determine the best next step.
If you feel drawn to this kind of immersive, art-centered work, you are welcome to reach out to learn more or to schedule an Art Therapy Intensive.
What to expect during an art therapy intensive
Each Art Therapy Intensive is individualized. While no two sessions are exactly alike, a typical intensive may include:
-
A brief check-in and intention setting, one or more guided or open-ended art therapy directives
-
Time for spontaneous art-making and exploration
-
Verbal processing and reflection as desired
-
Breaks as needed for rest, nourishment, or grounding
-
Closing integration and next-step reflections
You do not need to be an artist or have prior art experience. The focus is on process, not product.
Sessions are paced collaboratively, with attention to emotional safety, consent, and your unique needs.
how to prepare
Once your intensive is scheduled, you will receive guidance to help you prepare. In general, it can be helpful to:
-
Arrive well-rested and nourished
-
Wear comfortable clothing suitable for art-making
-
During our consultation we will explore intentions and focus. Bring your intention to mind for the intensive, however clarity often emerges during the session itself
-
Plan for gentle downtime after the session, if possible
You are not expected to know exactly what you want to work on! Curiosity and openness are more important than certainty.
financial commitment
Art Therapy Intensives are offered as private pay services and are not covered by insurance
- 3-Hour Intensive: $400
- 6-Hour Intensive: $900
Payment is due at the time of booking. Because extended time is reserved specifically for you, intensives are subject to a dedicated cancellation policy, which will be reviewed prior to scheduling.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who are Art Therapy Intensives appropriate for?
A: Art Therapy Intensives are best suited for adults who are emotionally stable enough to engage in deeper therapeutic work over an extended period of time. They can be especially supportive for individuals navigating life transitions, recovery or integration work, creative or emotional blocks, grief, identity exploration, or those who prefer experiential approaches to therapy A brief consultation is required prior to scheduling to ensure that an intensive is clinically appropriate and supportive for you.
Q: Do I need to be an artist or feel comfortable with art?
A: No prior art experience is needed. Art therapy focuses on the process, not artistic skill or outcome. All directives are offered with flexibility, and materials are introduced in an accessible, supportive way. Many people who feel hesitant about art-making find intensives especially helpful because there is time to ease into the process without pressure.
Q: Are Art Therapy Intensives appropriate if I am in crisis?
A: Art Therapy Intensives are not a replacement for crisis services. If you are in acute and immediate emotional distress, an intensive may not be appropriate at this time.
If safety concerns arise during a consultation, referrals to more appropriate levels of care will be provided.
Q: Will one intensive "fix" everything?
A: Art Therapy Intensives are designed to support depth, clarity, and movement, but they are not a quick fix. Some people experience significant insight or emotional shifts, while others experience a quieter sense of integration or direction.
An intensive may stand alone or be part of a longer therapeutic journey, depending on your needs.
Q: Are payment plans available?
Q: Can I do an art therapy intensive if I am already in therapy?
A: Often, yes. Many clients use intensives as a complement to ongoing therapy. With your consent, coordination with your existing therapist can be discussed to support continuity and integration.
Q: What happens after the intensive?
A: Time is set aside at the end of each intensive for grounding, reflection, and discussion of next steps. This may include recommendations for continued therapy, creative practices to continue at home, or follow-up sessions if appropriate.
Because intensives can be emotionally meaningful, it is encouraged that clients plan for rest and gentleness following their session.
About the facilitatior
My name is
Taylor Beardsall
I am a board-certified art therapist, with over 10 years of experience facilitating art therapy and expressive art experiences. I have worked with a variety of individuals and groups focusing on concerns such as: anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma processing, substance use and co-occuring disorders, eating disorders, and more. I believe deeply in the healing power of art and the creative process and would be honored to support your journey.
