Therapy for Rapid Healing | EMDR Intensive Therapy
Author: Paris McDonald, MS, LMHC
Reviewer: Dr. Mary Perleoni, Ph.D., LMHC ✓
What is EMDR intensive therapy?
EMDR Intensive Therapy is a specialized form of therapy that involves an extended period of focused EMDR therapy sessions, typically conducted over several consecutive days or within a short time frame. This intensive approach is designed to help individuals process and resolve traumatic experiences, distressing memories, and other emotional issues in a safe and supportive environment. EMDR Intensive Therapy is a well-established, evidence-based treatment method that has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related disorders.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) intensives are a good fit for clients seeking to gain momentum in their healing journey. EMDR processing in the intensive format is highly focused and a highly concentrated form of therapy, allowing for significant progress in a short period of time. EMDR intensive therapy allows for increased processing time to allow for significant resolution of symptoms related to trauma, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem as well as other issues.
EMDR intensives help you process your trauma in the safety of a therapeutic environment over a 1- day, 2-day or 3-day experience
EMDR intensives are designed to provide a concentrated and focused therapeutic experience, allowing individuals to make significant progress in a shorter amount of time. During an intensive, you will work with an experienced EMDR therapist who will guide you through a series of exercises and techniques designed to help you process and integrate traumatic memories and emotions. The intensive experience is tailored to meet your individual needs and goals, and may include a combination of EMDR therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and other evidence-based approaches.
Is EMDR or intensive therapy proven to be more effective?
Research suggests that intensive therapy sessions, including EMDR intensive therapy sessions, often lead to faster symptom reduction with similar or better results than traditional therapy. EMDR intensive therapy is highly effective in healing trauma by addressing unprocessed traumatic memories. It also suggests that many individuals struggling with trauma and complex trauma can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms post EMDR intensive.
What does an EMDR intensive session look like?
EMDR intensive sessions generally are 2-6 hour blocks, including breaks, and can last one, two, or three days, guided by experienced EMDR therapists. Each EMDR intensive treatment requires a 1.5 hour intake session where you will review your history with your EMDR intensive therapist, goals for an EMDR intensive, as well as learning preparatory skills to assist during the EMDR intensive processing days.
Post an EMDR therapy intensive processing sessions, you will engage in a 1.5 hour follow-up session. The follow-up session is essential in understanding and reviewing your progress as well as any follow up treatment recommendations needed post EMDR intensive. You will also be given essential resources and skills to continuing facilitating your healing.
What are the benefits of an intensive?
In intensive treatment programs like EMDR therapy intensives, there are several advantages over the traditional weekly therapy appointments. EMDR intensives are particularly beneficial for single trauma victims, allowing for accelerated progress in processing trauma. EMDR intensives offer several important advantages such as rapid progressing in terms of therapeutic outcomes that allow clients to make significant progress faster and more effectively. This condensed format is especially useful when attempting to find more immediate relief from mental health diagnoses and symptoms. An intensive provides clients with a deep immersion into therapy without distraction.
Intensive treatment is also possible for clients who engage in weekly counseling that may need intensive treatment for a specific issue.
Less time in therapy, more time living your life
Looking to schedule something that is more cost effective in the long run? Our therapists are trained and certified by the EMDR International Association, ensuring the highest standards of proficiency in EMDR therapy. In a short period, EMDR intensives can reduce the time required to live a life without trauma or distress. Things occur daily and the sessions can often be spent attempting to understand emotional feelings about situations that are important, however, don’t necessarily reduce the effects of trauma.
Therapy intensives can potentially decrease time in treatment and overall cost. Schedule a free consultation with one of our clinicians to discuss a cost break down of EMDR intensives.
Working with EMDR Intensive Therapists
EMDR intensive therapists are trained and experienced professionals who specialize in providing intensive EMDR therapy sessions. They have received advanced training in EMDR therapy and have experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma and other emotional challenges. EMDR intensive therapists are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals to process and heal from traumatic experiences. They work closely with each client to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and goals.
Are EMDR intensives right for me?
EMDR was originally created for clients experiencing trauma symptoms. EMDR intensives can significantly help clients experiencing PTSD symptoms. Until now, your trauma symptoms and trauma memories have haunted you deeply and is still affecting you. You survived the crash. You've been involved in natural disasters. It was robbers stealing your cash. You have experienced a frightening event that changed your way of being. You're a first responder experiencing trauma on the job.
Have you experienced a sexual assault? Have you experienced a traumatic childbirth experience? Do you experience pain or have died suddenly? EMDR intensives can assist with a variety of mental health symptoms and concerns.
EMDR intensives can also assist individuals suffering from other mental health-related issues not associated with trauma such as self-esteem, anxiety-related disorders, grief, chronic pain, and more. It can even help clients who engage in weekly therapy and are ready to experience more processing in a shorter amount of time.
How do I prepare for EMDR intensives?
Dress comfortably.
Eat a good meal and hydrate appropriately before each EMDR intensive day.
Do not schedule work or mentally taxing activities for the remainder of the day. Ensure the rest of the day is filled with rest, recovery, and self-care.
EMDR intensive therapy packages
Each EMDR intensive therapy package includes a 1.5-hour intake session prior to each intensive and a 1.5-hour follow-up session post EMDR intensives.
EMDR intensive therapy packages:
1. One Full Day (2 x 120 minute sessions with an hour break in between).
2. Two Full Days (2 x 120 minute sessions on each day with an hour break in between).
3. Three Half Days (1 x 120 minute session for three days).
Unsure if an EMDR intensive week is for you? We also offer 2 hour EMDR intensive sessions. Please call to receive a free consultation with one of our clinicians/therapists about which EMDR intensive therapy package best suits your needs and healing journey.
