Intensive relationship therapy: moving through discomfort, not around it | Priscilla Short | #033 Mastering Change

The traditional model of therapy tends to be one hour, once a week. But how effective is this? 

This week on Mastering Change, we speak with psychotherapist Priscilla Short, who’s challenging the way we think about relationship and trauma therapy. 

She introduces us to the world of intensive therapy – where months of work are condensed into a few focused days. It’s immersive, honest and allows both clients and therapists to stay with what’s uncomfortable long enough for real change to happen. 

“It’s called intensive therapy” says Priscilla, “but I actually find it far less intense. You’re not constantly restarting – you can stay in it, work through it and watch people transform in front of you.” 

She explains why this model can help couples move beyond patterns that weekly sessions can’t reach, and why the depth of connection it creates can be life-changing – for both clients and therapists. 

We explore 

• Why traditional weekly therapy may slow down deep relational change 
• How intensives allow clients to move through discomfort, not around it 
• What happens when therapists fully step into the relational dynamic 
• Why it can feel less intense for practitioners, not more 
• Research showing stronger, longer-lasting outcomes for couples who do intensives 

Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive episodes related to trauma, mental health and potential distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support. 

Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast

Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd

Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.