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EMDR Intensives

Therapy in the Fast Lane

Do you ever become frustrated trying to get through deep issues in therapy only to wrap it up yet again at the end of the hour? Do you find you can handle deeper work and wish you could focus on healing key issues in a shorter period of time? 

If so, EMDR Intensives might be more satisfying and better suited for your needs.

What is EMDR?

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, is a method of activating the brain using eye movements, tapping or other exercises to process and heal emotional wounds.

Is an EMDR Intensive right for me?

Doing intensive emotional work of any type might only be right for some people. If you fit the criteria below, you might be a good candidate for an EMDR Intensive:

  • I prefer going deep in my emotional work and am not disturbed by big emotions.

  • I have time constraints that make the intensive more convenient.

  • I have already done some therapy.

  • I am confident in my coping skills.

  • I have a strong support network.

  • I have minimal dissociation. (Check with your therapist for help assessing dissociation symptoms.)

  • I have done EMDR therapy before and am comfortable with the process.

  • I have stability and safety in my home life.

 

If, however, points on the following list apply to you, wait and get help with these issues before considering an EMDR Intensive:

  • I am in the midst of changing medications.

  • I find big emotions too frightening to tolerate.

  • When I feel big emotions, I start to dissociate. (Check with your therapist for help assessing dissociation symptoms.)

  • I have been having suicidal thoughts and am desperately seeking help.

  • I’m so overwhelmed in life that I can’t make time for self-care after the EMDR Intensive.

Fees

Half day (3.5 hours or less) $400

Full Day (4 hours or more) $800

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Unfortunately, EMDR Intensives are not covered by insurance at this time, and this includes out of network reimbursement. I accept cash, and HSA cards.

What are EMDR Intensive sessions?

An EMDR Intensive session is a full day (6-7 hours) or multi-day session of EMDR. Because the processing is not interrupted at the end of a therapy hour, an EMDR Intensive provides the ability to delve deeper into your targeted work so in just a few days, you can make progress that might otherwise take months.
 

If doing intense emotional work fits your personality and goals, EMDR Intensives are a great way to leap forward in your healing journey.

Preparing for an EMDR Intensive

Because of the intense nature of this work, you may wish to prepare ahead of time and plan days off work for extra self-care afterwards. You may talk to your current weekly therapist if you have concerns about your level of emotional tolerance (ability to handle intense emotions) and for help developing coping skills. You can also get help preparing for an EMDR Intensive at my standard hourly rate.

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If you are not already a client of mine, we will plan an intake session to discuss this option and to determine whether you might need additional preparation. These sessions can be billed by insurances that cover my services. See my list of insurances at www.calmtohappy.com/faq .

What to expect the day of and afterwards?

On the day of the intensive, we will plan for an hour lunch and for 10-15 minutes breaks during the day as needed.
 

Like running a marathon, an EMDR Intensive might leave you feeling both amazing and exhausted for several days. I highly recommend planning your EMDR Intensive before you have a few days off work and that you plan extra self-care into your schedule.

EMDR Intensive Therapy vs. Weekly Therapy

EMDR Intensive Therapy benefits:

  1. Faster progress: Instead of starting work on a deep issue weekly then stopping at the end of the hour, the issue can be worked on all day and substantial progress made. One-day of EMDR intensive therapy lasting 6-7 hours provides more processing than 2 months of weekly EMDR therapy.

  2. Less weekly exhaustion: When there’s a lot of emotion to work through, it can be overwhelming to face it in therapy again and again. For some, quick progress means relief.

  3. Focused treatment: EMDR intensive therapy will focus on one issue at a time without being sidetracked by the weekly problems and concerns of life.

  4. Deeper work: Because an EMDR Intensive focuses on one issue in depth, more emotional reactions can be released and core beliefs that are repeating themselves in daily life lose their hold. The goal is to make deep process quickly, ideally clearing an issue.

Weekly Therapy (talk or EMDR) benefits:

  1. More flexibility: Weekly therapy can involve trauma processing and it can provide support for daily life issues as needed. Many people benefit from a blend of trauma therapy, talk therapy, mindfulness training, etc. Clients choose how they would like to be supported based on their needs at the moment.

  2. Gradual progress: Slower processing may allow clients to adjust to their emotional changes and integrate them into their lives with the help of the therapist.

  3. Reduced intensity: While some intense work can be done briefly in weekly therapy sessions, clients may choose to go very slowly while testing how much processing feels comfortable to them. This may be ideal for those who struggle to handle big feelings or who are getting used to therapy.

  4. Financial and scheduling ease: Insurance often covers weekly sessions and many people find it easier to fit into their work schedule.

If you’d like to set up your EMDR Intensive, get in touch today.

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