Dr. Joy Vala

My Fall 2026 Psychotherapy Intensives Season is now open.

I offer psychotherapy intensives which enable us to do approximately 1 year’s worth of work in a few months. For insurance based patients, we can work intensively for 2-4 months. Out of pocket patients also have the option of week-long or weekend intensives.

Psychotherapy Intensives can be helpful if:

-You are seeking more rapid results because you are on a stress-related leave from work or school.

-You are feeling stuck in your current long term therapy care and would like a intensive experience to create forward momentum in your therapy journey.

-You are facing a major life transition/decision:

*Getting married

*Starting a new job

*Graduating

*Making a big move

THE PROCESS:

-We schedule a 2-3 hour trial therapy.

-Based upon your experience in the trial therapy, you can decide whether or not to proceed to an intensive. Some find that the trial therapy is all they needed and are able to return to their life and their ongoing treatment team with renewed energy. Some find the trial therapy illuminating and elect to continue into the intensive.

COMPLETION:

At the conclusion of the intensive, there are several common outcomes.

-Primary issues have resolved and there is no need to continue in a treatment

-Return to the long term treatment team with renewed clarity and energy

-Desire to continue working in the modalities we used together. There are several options - we can check if I have openings for longer term treatment, place you on my waiting list or I can assist you in making a referral.

I am a Harvard educated and trained psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience. I am a clinical professor, supervisor and presenter. I am core trained in Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) therapy, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), and have extensive training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.