How to Know If an EMDR Intensive Is Right for You
What Is an EMDR Intensive?
An EMDR intensive is a focused, multi-hour or multi-day therapy experience designed to help you process stuck memories and longstanding beliefs more quickly than traditional weekly sessions. Instead of spreading sessions over months, we concentrate on a handful of targets in back-to-back appointments—allowing your brain’s natural healing processes to unfold in real time.
Duration: Often 3–5 consecutive hours per day, over 1–3 days
Structure: Pre-work assessment, resourcing, reprocessing blocks, integration exercises
Goal: Unblock adaptive information processing so memories lose their emotional charge
Learn more about our EMDR Intensive options.
5 Signs an EMDR Intensive Might Be Right for You
1. You’re Short on Time but Need Deep Work
If you’ve got a busy schedule—career demands, family responsibilities, or caregiving roles—but still crave substantial progress, an intensive delivers powerful momentum in concentrated chunks. It keeps the healing energy flowing without the waiting period between weekly sessions.
2. You’ve Hit a Plateau in Weekly Therapy
Maybe you’ve been in therapy for a while and notice that certain memories or beliefs keep resurfacing without resolution. An intensive can break through those stubborn blocks by revisiting targets more frequently, so you’re less likely to get “stuck” between sessions.
3. You Have a Clear, Specific Focus
Intensives work best when you have one or two pressing themes—like a traumatic event, recurring self-criticism, or deep-seated shame—that you want to shift. If you know what you want to tackle, we can tailor the intensive to your exact needs.
4. You Thrive in Immersive, Experiential Learning
Some people absorb insight best when they remain in the therapeutic container for extended periods. If you prefer a deep dive—where you can pause, reflect, and reprocess in a single setting—intensives offer that uninterrupted space.
5. You’re Ready for Immediate Integration
After an intensive, many clients report noticeable changes in their mood, self-talk, and relationships. If you’re looking for quick, actionable shifts and are willing to do the integration work (journaling, somatic exercises, breathing practices), an intensive can be a game-changer.
How an EMDR Intensive Works
Pre-Work & Assessment: We gather background information and pinpoint targets (beliefs, memories, body sensations).
Resource Building: You’ll learn grounding techniques—such as breathing, calm-place visualization, or somatic anchors—to stay regulated.
Reprocessing Blocks: Using bilateral stimulation (taps or light bar), we revisit your targets in short sets, pause to note insights, then continue.
Integration & Reflection: Between blocks, you’ll journal or practice somatic techniques to solidify new insights.
Post-Intensive Support: We schedule a follow-up session to check in, adjust your self-care plan, and map out next steps.
Key Questions to Ask Yourself
What’s my primary goal? (e.g., reduce anxiety, release shame, heal a specific trauma)
Am I prepared to clear my calendar? Rest and downtime are crucial for post-intensive processing.
Can I commit to pre-work? You’ll need to complete intake worksheets and reflections before day one.
Do I have support in place? Let friends or family know you’re doing deep work—emotional shifts can continue for days afterward.
Why Choose My Practice?
Specialized Training: As an EMDR-Certified LMFT with experience in relational EMDR, I blend evidence-based protocols with a warm, client-centered approach.
Holistic Tools: I integrate somatic experiencing, mindfulness, and Internal Family Systems (IFS)–informed coaching to help you embody new patterns.
Flexible Formats: From half-day intensives to multi-day deep dives, we design a schedule that fits your life.
Curious about the details? Check out our full EMDR intensives page for pricing, scheduling, and sample itineraries.
Ready to Decide?
If you’re wondering whether an EMDR intensive is the right next step, let’s have a brief chat. There’s no obligation—just a chance to see if this immersive path aligns with your goals and lifestyle.
👉 Schedule a free 20-minute consultation
👉 Learn more about individual therapy and how it complements intensives
Take the first step toward lasting change. An EMDR intensive isn’t about doing more therapy—it’s about doing the right therapy, at the right pace for you. If you’re ready to transform, I’m here to guide you.
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