Clients reviews about Intensive Therapy Retreats

My 5 day Intensive EMDR retreat gave me a new and improved sense of self-awareness and self love by allowing me to look deep within myself. This office is a very safe and entirely accepting space. Bambi helped me walk through painful memories in order to process my trauma by gently nudging me to step out of my comfort zone, and giving helpful insights when I needed it most. The positive effects of this retreat continue to grow daily as my perspective on life has done a complete 360. If you are tired of living for others, being in constant survival mode, or are looking for caring and highly intelligent professionals, I 100% recommend this practice, as I will forever be grateful for the support and guidance they gave me. ~ Sky Y

Dr. Rattner treated me for 3 full days and 4 additional half-days almost 10 yrs ago, clearing ALL my past trauma triggers. Additionally, when I experienced an acute exacerbation of my complex PTSD of childhood symptoms/tiggers (necessitating a leave of absence from my job following the 2016 presidential election), she squeezed me in at no extra charge and healed what unfolded - previously hidden/unconscious body-based pre- & peri-natal movements/memories that quite logically had been at the root of so much of my existential ambivalence. Absolutely amazing work with a true expert in whose care I could completely trust, allowing the body to release what only it seemed to know was there. Thank you Bambi! ~ Cheryl A

I loved my session with Vickie. It was amazing and transformative. I have grown emotionally and in my mental health. Since the retreat, I was able to make some difficult decisions that I had been struggling with for a while. I feel more positive and empowered to take charge of my life and make positive, healthy changes. I loved Vickie so much, I saw her again at the beginning of May. I am a huge fan of ART therapy. Vickie pours her heart into every session and her passion for her work shines through tremendously. I was also provided many resources to continue my growth. Thank you Vickie, you are amazing! ~ Kayla O

For 62 years I was the typical "I don't need therapy" guy. Then I went through the intensive program with Ross and quickly learned how wrong I was. The issues I had experienced were disguised as events I thought I left far behind. Truth was, they were far behind, but still chained to me. The scientifically based techniques he utilized gave me positive results instantly. Those negative images faded quickly and at the end of each set I would look at Ross and ask "what was the BFD?" I would highly recommend this retreat to anyone who wants to relieve some of the excess baggage collected throughout your life. ~ John M

GAME CHANGER! Emdr/ART therapy is life changing. April is amazing at her job and made me feel at ease when I was very shook up and overwhelmed. She matched me with the perfect therapist for my retreat, Amy. Amy also is phenomenal at her job and helped me more than I could have ever expected! I wasn’t sure if ART would work for me because my issues were not just one event because it was my whole childhood. Life since I’ve done the retreat has been a magical process of getting to know my true self with out all the inner chatter, anxiety and bad habits. I find myself doing things I would never have done in the past and with a peaceful mind. I didn’t know that it was possible to have such inner peace all the time, even on a “bad day”. I can’t say enough about this program and the amount of gratitude I have for the process and people making it happen. My best piece of advice to those thinking about it….just do it and be completely open to the process. ~ Janina S

I wanted to wait a week after returning so that I could process all that had happened. I was expecting a hard and painful week of therapy, but that's not what I experienced. Instead, Vickie lovingly guided me to look at the story line of my life, reframe the events, and choose a new story. It was easy and painless, and I thought maybe I might be glossing over something, but the effects on my return home prove otherwise. I have not felt this relaxed and comfortable in my own skin since I can remember. I went to a friend's party last night, where previously I would have found an excuse not to go. When I recount past traumatic events, I don't feel any sticky emotions attached to them. I feel truly happy and content. Of course, I wish I would have found Vickie sooner, but I am just so glad that I found her when I did and that I still have time to make things right with the people in my life that I've hurt. If you found this page, then you are ready. Make the leap! ~ Karen H

I have CPTSD and it has been SO hard to maintain relationships or even effectively communicate with others! I won’t say I’m cured, bc this is not an overnight fix. However, Bambi has changed my life for the better. Her work has allowed me to work through my triggers with less reactionary behaviors. My relationships with others have significantly improved and for the first time in my life, I am truly proud of myself. Bambi uses many modules of therapy to improve your situation and let me tell you, she is a wizard with a wand😉 Thank you to the whole team for their kindness and support. ~ Andrea R

My intensive therapy retreat with Bambi was one of the most powerful and transformational therapeutic experiences of my life. After 14 years in recovery and a lifetime of being in and out of therapy, I was wary of ending up in a “Psych 101” situation that felt too broad or surface-level. However, this retreat was far deeper, more healing, and more profound than I ever could have imagined. Bambi has an incredible ability to create a safe and supportive environment, while also gently encouraging me to dig deeper and push further, ensuring I got the most out of the experience. We worked through 30 years of trauma using evidence-based modalities that I had previously been skeptical of, but they truly worked. After just five days, I left feeling more confident, self-assured, and whole than I have in years. I had doubts about how much meaningful work could be done in such a short time, but it far exceeded anything I could have asked for. I am deeply grateful to Bambi and the team at the intensive therapy retreat. Thank you! ~ Cole E

The Team of therapists at Intensive Therapy Retreats has an extraordinary range of skills and methodologies, from EMDR and A.R.T. to Image Transformation Therapy. The idea of trauma therapy, or psychological trauma treated by a therapy retreat is still new; and to find an organization whose therapists have this level of skill and experience is awesome. If you are looking for personal trauma therapy or a personal therapy retreat this is the place. ~ Ross H

I am a therapist with ITR. I am very honored to work with amazing clients from all different walks of life. I love the intensive approach because the one-on-one format allows us to form a deep connection and make remarkable progress on their goals. In a world with many forces of trauma and oppression, ITR is a beacon of positive change, empowerment, and hope. ~ Hannah T

Intensive Therapy Retreats made a profound difference on my mental health and my life. Working with Nikki was unlike any therapy I've received in the past. She helped me bring my life into the present and release past traumas that were impacting my current and future life. I am eternally grateful to Nikki and Intensive Therapy Retreats for their work and support. ~ Sophia D

I can’t say enough good things about this facility and the medical and administrative staff. It was truly life-changing and transformative. I found the exact right place at the exact right time. Everyone—from Shannon, who answered the phone, all the way up to Bambi and the Ketamine clinic staff—was incredibly kind and compassionate. The system they have in place, and the treatment they provide, went above and beyond anything I could have imagined or experienced elsewhere. I’ve been in and out of therapy for 30 years, and this was by far the most helpful and the most individualized treatment I’ve ever experienced. If you’re going through a difficult time or have a history of trauma or C-PTSD, then you’ve found the right place and the right people. My one-on-one time with Bambi was amazing; she exudes compassion, kindness, and understanding. She was inspiring, knowledgeable, and made me feel comfortable from the very beginning. I’m from out of state and commuted to North Hampton daily for about a week. In a very short, but very concentrated timeframe, I walked away with a renewed vigor, motivation, and outlook for the future. I cannot recommend them enough, and I highly encourage you to give yourself the gift of working with this amazing organization and its nurturing staff. ~ Mike C

As an ITR therapist and a clinician who has been utilizing the intensive method I can say this team is so passionate about the work. The profound healing and changes that can occur in a way that just doesn't tend to happen in the weekly format is so so powerful! ~ Nikki G

I knew the choice had the possibility of being impactful but I was more than pleasantly surprised at how amazing the result was after four days! Nikki was perfect and I am so grateful to have had Nikki as my guide through grueling 1:1 therapy for the week. ~ Brian J

Honestly - I can fully say that those three days with Nikki were LIFE changing. There are still bumps and challenges in the road, but I have thoroughly re-done myself. I have had an incredible feeling of relief and un-burdening since the retreat, and I am beyond grateful for the undoing!!!!! ~ Sarah L

If I could give 10 stars I would!!!! My life has changed and the old memories were given a new perspective. I can Not say enough about my experience! A 1-1 time for you to take care of you. This experience was mind blowing and so comfortable!!! ~ Erica K

The members of this group are professionals committed to bettering the lives of survivors of trauma of every kind and severity. Amazing. Life changing. ~ Jordan H

Hannah is an incredible therapist! She is empathetic, insightful, highly skilled and knew exactly how to help me in my healing process. I am SO grateful to her for that! ~ J

Was a life-changing experience for me. Thank you for providing this service. ~ Heather K

I found EMDR very helpful for dealing with my PTSD ~ Helen G

Vickie was wonderful ~ she cares and it shows ~ priscilla h

It's a powerful and healing experience. ~ Pat R

Reflecting on my recent retreat experience with Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) in Northampton, Massachusetts, I can’t help but feel grateful for the transformative journey I embarked upon. Having initially participated in ART about two years ago, I was eager to return after facing some stressors in my life, and within my new relationship. This prompted me to create a target list to address any underlying issues that might arise and impact my emotional well-being. Now, just six days post-session, I am already seeing significant changes. Initially, I experienced a bit of post-anxiety, which is not uncommon in any therapeutic practice. However, this so-called "passing storm" has gradually diminished, reminding me of my previous ART experience where I encountered similar feelings that didn’t linger long. I have come to understand that this adjustment period is part of the process, as my brain begins to integrate the substantial work I undertook during the session. In times like these, I have found it essential to extend grace to myself. The quick shifts I've noticed have been remarkable. From past experiences, I've learned that the outcomes of ART can be unpredictable—changes can manifest in unexpected ways. Yet, overall, I feel less stuck and more equipped to navigate my life. My mind feels quieter, with fewer critical voices echoing within, and I expressed to my partner a newfound sense of gentle intention within myself. For anyone with a history of complex post-traumatic stress disorder, I highly advocate for this trauma therapy. The results are undeniably life-altering and can alleviate various symptoms—be it triggers in relationships, abandonment fears, anxiety, or sleep disturbances. The work done through ART is genuinely worthwhile, and I cannot recommend it enough for anyone seeking deeper healing and empowerment in their lives. ~ christine L

I did an intensive retreat with Vickie that utilized ART therapy, and I’ll start by saying that many of the testimonials I read before my retreat sounded legitimately too good to be true, much like the title of the creator of ARTs book on the therapy (Too Good to Be True? By Laney Rosenzweig) and I was slightly skeptical. I felt like I had “tried everything” and was a bit nervous to fail at achieving those same results from the reviews I had seen. But doing this retreat with Vickie was nothing short of remarkable- it was freakishly effective and life altering in the best way, and I would recommend this experience to anybody in a heartbeat- but especially to people who have tried many other types of therapy over the years only to remain “stuck” in whatever their specific circumstances may be. Also, to people who enjoy structure, science, and a goal for their therapy- even if that goal is somewhat nebulous at first. Vickie is a magnificent therapist and clinician, and anyone who gets to work with her is so fortunate. She’s such a generous, kind, and wonderful person and she puts her all into this experience for clients. I will forever be grateful for her. And I will forever be grateful to Laney Rosenzweig, the creator of ART, for her amazing brain, dedication, and passion that has allowed for ART not only to be available at all, but especially in the context of an intensive retreat. I feel renewed, genuinely. If you asked me a month ago if I’d be leaving a review like this after the retreat, I would have been cautiously optimistic- yet a bit skeptical like I said above. However, I mean every word of this with every fiber of my being. I am genuinely astonished by the results I had- since the retreat I have spoken in ways about myself, my future, and my capabilities that I haven’t heard come out of my mouth in years, or ever. My capacity for self compassion and compassion for others, my trust in myself, and joy I wasn’t sure would ever come back have increased dramatically. Those closest to me have said I sound different, and notice the huge changes that I do too. Relationships that were already great have somehow gotten even better. My startle response is all but gone, I don’t have anxiety in cars, I have energy that had been gone for years, and I’ve felt truly present for the first time in ages. Things feel possible, and I have found confidence I had believed was lost forever. I’ve had little moments of having tears of gratitude and awe no less than 20 times since the middle of the retreat and it ended ten days ago.I think the most wild result, though, is that my crushing PMDD symptoms have not shown up at all, where they typically did like clockwork every two weeks and should have ten days ago. Now, am I saying my life is suddenly perfect? Most certainly not. But I am saying that with old traumas having been processed in this manner, in addition to the myriad individual positive changes I've noticed I now also feel equipped for life ups and downs in a way that I never have before. Life used to really scare me, and now it feels like a blessing and also something that I can handle when it hits the fan. A quote from Laney's book says, "To experience the therapy is to know it is real, and to see someone you love having been healed thanks to ART is to know it is real." and this statement could not be more true for me. Thank you so very much to everyone involved in this process, this was the most worthwhile thing I've ever done for myself. ~ Grace A

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