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.

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6041781/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24480899/

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5804727/

• https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/springer/emdr/2017/00000011/00000002/art00002%3bjsessionid=3cq2ibisw457m.x-ic-live-01?fbclid=IwAR1KnA4A7tUIQqXpFokTrZ9i8Qa4D8Kt3mMVpQv4_nf9LNJ_mtmYo9LocNU&utm_campaign=MIA%20May%202018%20Vol%206%20%257C%20Issue%205&utm_medium=email&utm_source=INTENSIVE%20EMDR%20THERAPY%253A%20%20Promising%20Research

• https://www.ticti.org/economic/

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.

Regular hourly sessions are the rate of $175.

Weekday Intensive sessions: 90 min $350; 2hrs $450; 3hrs $650; 4 hrs $850

Weekend Intensive sessions: 90 min-$400; 2hrs-$550; 3hrs-$800; 4hrs-$1050

As with any other therapeutic approach, reprocessing traumatic memories can be uncomfortable; that means some people won’t like or won’t be able to tolerate EMDR treatment well. Others may need more preparation, offered by the therapist, before processing traumatic events using EMDR.

Considerations, Risks, and Recommendations for EMDR Treatment

 Some medications may reduce the effectiveness of EMDR. Specifically, benzodiazepines may hinder the brain from fully reprocessing during bilateral stimulation due to altered consciousness. Please don’t discontinue your medication without consulting with your prescribing doctor. If you take benzodiazepines, please talk to your prescriber before you sign up for EMDR intensives.

 While there are no known adverse risks associated with EMDR treatment, it is always wise to check with your physician regarding any new treatment you start that may affect your health. Please check with your physician to ensure EMDR treatment is safe if you have a history of, or currently have, eye problems, a diagnosed heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or are at risk for, or have a history of, stroke, heart attack, seizure, or other limiting medical conditions that may put you at medical risk. Pregnant women should consult with their physician. Due to the stress related to reprocessing some traumatic events, postponing may be appropriate in some cases.

 Before participating in EMDR, discuss with the therapist all aspects of an upcoming legal court case where testimony is required. You may need to postpone EMDR treatment if you are a victim or witness to a crime that is being prosecuted because the traumatic material processed using EMDR may fade, blur or disappear and your testimony may be challenged.

 Reprocessing a memory may bring up associated memories. This is normal and those memories will also be reprocessed. During EMDR, you may experience physical sensations and retrieve images, emotions, and sounds associated with the memory.

 Reprocessing of the memory or event normally continues after the end of the formal therapy session. Other memories, flashbacks, feelings, and sensations may occur. You may have dreams associated with the memory. Frequently the brain is able to process these additional memories without help. However, should you have urgent concerns after your EMDR intensives, you can reach out to your therapist.

 Clients should be able to visualize images and sense their body sensations. Without this ability, EMDR is difficult, as the process is based on visualization, as well as sensing emotions and experiencing somatic reactions.

 Some clients may experience very strong reactions during treatment. Therefore, clients should be able to tolerate high levels of emotional distress and be able to self-regulate.

 EMDR intensives require a capacity of staying focused for longer periods of time. If this is difficult for you, EMDR intensives might not be a perfect fit.

 EMDR intensives require being fully present in the here-and-now (within the window of tolerance). Clients who daydream and space out a lot may experience difficulty processing during the bilateral stimulation. A person with a high level of disassociation may require further preparation prior to starting with EMDR. Discuss with me any dissociative disorders with little treatment progress. EMDR may trigger these symptoms, but may also be helpful in attempting to resolve them.

 EMDR intensive isn’t appropriate for clients that are in crisis mode (suicidal ideations, self-harming behavior, etc.)

 EMDR intensives are often experienced as life-changing, it is important to maintain realistic expectations to avoid building up pressure that may hinder the process.

 While most people find EMDR very powerful and beneficial, results of EMDR intensives cannot be guaranteed, as results vary from person to person. Dissatisfaction with services doesn’t yield a refund.

 There are no known adverse effects of interrupting EMDR therapy; therefore, clients can discontinue treatment at any time.