Holistic Christian Counseling Intensives for Women: "Is a Christian Counseling Intensive Right for Me?"

"I'm not sure what it is, but I just feel "off", anxious, and just a feeling of underlying sadness. I don't even know what my purpose is or what God's plan is for me now..."

As a Christian counselor for women in Pennsylvania, this is the kind of thing I hear quite often from women in midlife who are struggling with where they are in life, their circumstances, faith, health, and relationships.

Many women between the ages of 40–65 reach a point where life looks fine on the outside, but feelings of depression and anxiety linger under the surface.

Maybe your kids are grown and the house is quieter than you expected. Perhaps you're questioning if you did enough as a mom and are worried about decisions your adult kids are making.

Maybe health issues, loss, or long‑term stress have left you feeling tired, disconnected, or unsure of your purpose.

You love God, but you're struggling with your relationship with Him, unsure of His love and plans for you. Even with your faith, you still feel anxious, discouraged, or stuck.

You've thought about or tried traditional weekly therapy but it just hasn't seemed like the kind of help you're looking for.

If you’ve found yourself searching for Christian counseling for women, thinking maybe it's time to try it again, but still with doubts about how helpful the weekly sessions will be. 

If this sounds familiar, a holistic Christian Counseling Intensive for women

might be exactly what you're looking for.

Rather than the weekly therapy model that sometimes feels slow and drawn out, with lots of transitions before and after sessions and trying to juggle what you're discussing in therapy with daily life.

Intensives give you a dedicated chunk of time to set aside and completely focus on the issues you're struggling with. Then, you can take the tools, resources, and information learned during your intensive and transition back into your day-to-day with a 90-day plan to implement and solidify what you gained in session.

Now, you may be wondering:

Is this actually right for me?

This post will help you discern whether a 1–2 day Christian counseling intensive could be a good fit for you.

What is a Holistic Christian Counseling Intensive for Women?

A counseling intensive is a deep, focused, one‑on‑one therapeutic experience that takes place over one or two full days instead of weekly 50‑minute sessions.

Rather than spending months trying to get oriented, an intensive allows us to:

• Slow down and look at the whole picture of your life

• Identify the roots of anxiety, depression, or emotional exhaustion

• Develop practical tools you can use immediately

• Integrate faith, emotional health, and physical well‑being

My intensives are designed specifically for Christian women and are grounded in a biblical worldview, while also using an integrative, evidence‑based approach that includes:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Attention to sleep, nutrition, and movement

• Emotional regulation and stress management skills

• Prayer, Scripture, and faith‑centered reflection

This is not a retreat, although you might think of it as an intense, 1-on-1 retreat that allows you time away from normal life to focus on healing and change. This is intentional, structured therapeutic work done with compassion, wisdom, and faith at the center.

Women Who Benefit Most From a Counseling Intensive

A counseling intensive may be right for you if you resonate with several of the following:

You’re Struggling Internally, Even If Life Looks “Okay”

You may be experiencing:

• Ongoing anxiety or low‑grade depression

• Feeling emotionally numb, overwhelmed, or easily tearful

• Difficulty sleeping or constant mental noise

• A sense of restlessness or dissatisfaction you can’t explain

You’ve prayed, tried to push through, and done what you know to do, but something still isn’t shifting.

You’re in a Life Transition or Midlife Crossroads

Many women seek intensives during seasons such as:

• Empty nest or changing family roles

• Health concerns or changes in energy and capacity

• Grief, loss, or unresolved past experiences resurfacing

• A growing awareness of wanting to be intentional with how you spend this next phase of life

You may be asking:

• Who am I now?

• What is God inviting me into in this next chapter?

• How do I live more intentionally instead of just getting through the days?

You Want Clarity and Direction—Not Just Coping

While coping skills are helpful, many women come to an intensive because they want:

• Clear insight into what’s driving their anxiety or sadness

• Help untangling confusing or repetitive thought patterns

• A renewed sense of purpose and direction

• Tools that align with their faith and values

An intensive creates space to address these questions thoughtfully and prayerfully, without rushing.

How a Christian Counseling Intensive Is Different From Weekly Therapy

Weekly therapy is valuable, but it isn’t always the best fit for every person.

A counseling intensive may be a better option if:

• You want meaningful progress in a shorter amount of time

• Your schedule or emotional bandwidth makes weekly sessions difficult

• You feel stuck going in circles and want a fresh, focused perspective

• You value depth, structure, and intentionality

• You're able and willing to take information learned and apply it through your 90-day action plan

• You have at least one supportive person who can provide encouragement and accountability

Instead of spending weeks building context, we work intensively to understand your patterns, identify next steps, and create a plan you can continue implementing after the intensive.

Many women describe this experience as a reset emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

What We Focus On During an Intensive

Each counseling intensive is personalized, but common areas we address include:

• Anxiety and depressive thought patterns using a CBT framework

• Emotional regulation and nervous system support

• Boundaries, people‑pleasing, and personal values

• Faith struggles, spiritual disconnection, or confusion about God’s direction

• Lifestyle factors such as sleep, nourishment, movement, and rest

We look at how your thoughts, emotions, body, and faith are connected, and how small, intentional shifts can lead to meaningful change.

Who a Counseling Intensive May Not Be Right For

An intensive may not be the best fit if:

• You are in acute crisis or need immediate stabilization

• You are looking primarily for ongoing, long‑term weekly therapy

• You're looking for talk therapy, where you can process life experiences as they happen

• You prefer a purely clinical approach without faith integration

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re a Christian woman who feels anxious, uncertain, or unfulfilled in some way, and you sense God may be inviting you into a deeper, more intentional way of living, a counseling intensive may be a meaningful step forward.

This is a space to slow down, be seen, and do focused work that honors your faith, your story, and your whole self.

You don’t have to stay stuck in this season. There is clarity, peace, and purpose ahead, and you don’t have to find it alone.

Intensive sessions are held in person in downtown Chambersburg, PA. If you are in state, pre- and post- intensive sessions can be held virtually. If you are out of state, we can discuss alternative options for the pre- and post- intensive sessions.

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