An EMDR intensive is a focused approach to therapy that uses extended sessions over the course of one to three consecutive days to achieve the same results you would get in months of traditional weekly sessions. In an EMDR intensive, you get all the benefits of traditional therapy, but concentrated into a shorter time period. It can feel a little like a personal retreat—and it can lead to transformation.

EMDR intensives are ideal if you are looking for fast relief from overwhelming symptoms, or if you find it difficult to fit weekly therapy into your schedule. An EMDR intensive can also help you get “un-stuck” if you have been struggling to make progress in traditional therapy or need a reset.

EMDR is a special approach to treating trauma that incorporates bilateral stimulation (such as tracking a moving light from one side of your vision field to the other) into one-on-one therapy, to enhance your brain’s ability to process trauma. This allows for healing that goes deeper than just insight alone; through EMDR, you release the trauma that’s stuck in your body, so that you can actually embody a new way of being in your life and relationships. EMDR intensives are a powerful approach to finding freedom from past trauma quickly and permanently.

An intensive starts with a 15-30 minute consultation, usually by phone, where we determine your goals and whether or not an EMDR intensive is a good fit for you. From there, we schedule a 90-minute intake appointment. After that, we schedule intensive sessions; length and number of sessions is tailored to your specific needs and goals, ranging from 90 minutes to 4 hours. Some clients can reach their goals in a single session, while others may schedule sessions over two or three consecutive days. After your EMDR intensive, we will schedule a 90-minute follow-up session to see how you’re doing.

Yes! Many clients benefit from adding an EMDR intensive to their regular weekly therapy, either to enhance the work they’re already doing, or to get “un-stuck” if their progress has stalled. I can coordinate treatment with your pre-existing therapist to make sure you get the most out of your EMDR intensive experience.

Studies have shown that intensives can provide the same benefits as traditional weekly therapy, and that they may even be more effective for some clients.

That depends. Some clients who are already in traditional therapy prior to an EMDR intensive will return for ongoing sessions. Others may want biweekly or monthly sessions, or quarterly check-ins, following an intensive as they process ongoing healing. But, some clients reach their goals during an intensive and don’t feel a need for ongoing therapy afterwards.