EMDR Intensives

Accelerate Your Healing

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Intensives are designed for those who want to move through trauma, anxiety, or burnout in days rather than years.

While standard therapy offers 50-minute weekly doses, an intensive format allows us to dive deep into the neurobiology of your lived experience without the "start-stop" rhythm of traditional sessions. We clear the brush, process the roots, and rewire the neural pathways, all in a concentrated window of time.

Why Choose an Intensive?

  • Efficiency: Accomplish months of therapeutic progress in a single weekend or a 3-day block.

  • Focus: Eliminate the weekly "catch-up" time and stay in the processing flow.

  • Results: Ideal for busy professionals, parents, or those seeking immediate relief from a specific traumatic event or "stuck" point.

How It Works:

  1. Pre-Intensive Consultation: We meet to identify the "target" memories or behaviors and assess your current coping resources.

  2. The Intensive Sessions: These typically range from 3 to 6 hours per day over 1–3 days. We use bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or tones) to help your brain resume its natural healing process.

  3. Post-Intensive Integration: A follow-up session to ground your progress and discuss how to apply your new perspective to daily life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a good candidate for an EMDR Intensive? Intensives are excellent for single-event traumas (accidents, grief), phobias, or specific performance blocks. If you have a complex history of childhood trauma, we may use an intensive to jumpstart the work, though ongoing support may still be recommended.

How do I know if I’m "ready" for an intensive? If you feel "stuck" in traditional therapy or keep hitting the same emotional wall despite knowing the "logic" of your situation, you are likely an ideal candidate. We will conduct a thorough assessment to ensure you have enough "grounding tools" to navigate the deep work safely.

Will I be "re-traumatized" by doing so much at once? The goal of EMDR is desensitization. While the work is deep, we spend significant time on "resource building" before we begin. You are always in control, and we only move at a pace your nervous system can handle.

What is the "Hangover" effect? Processing a lot of emotional data is physically tiring. Most clients feel "light" but exhausted after an intensive. We recommend clearing your schedule for 24 hours post-session to allow your brain to finish "filing" the information.

Does insurance cover intensives? Most insurance companies reimburse based on the standard "therapy hour." While I can provide a Superbill, intensives are generally an out-of-pocket investment due to their specialized, extended nature.

Can I do an intensive if I already have a regular weekly therapist? Absolutely. Many clients come to me specifically for a "adjunct" intensive. Think of it like seeing a specialist for a specific procedure while keeping your primary care doctor. I can collaborate with your current therapist (with your permission) to ensure the work we do in the intensive integrates smoothly into your ongoing care.

Is it normal to feel "worse" before feeling better? During an intensive, we are stirring up old material. It’s common to feel an increase in emotional sensitivity or vivid dreams during the nights between sessions. This is actually a sign that your brain’s "digestive system" is working. Because we are working in a condensed timeframe, this "activation" phase is usually much shorter than it would be in weekly therapy.

How do I prepare my environment for an intensive? Since your brain will be doing heavy lifting, we recommend treating the intensive days like a personal retreat.

  • Clear your plate: No work emails or stressful social obligations.

  • Nourish: Have easy-to-prepare, nutritious meals ready.

  • Rest: Plan for early bedtimes and quiet evenings.