What is an EMDR Intensive?
If you’ve been considering EMDR therapy and want to make faster progress—or if weekly sessions just don’t fit your needs—an EMDR Intensive might be the solution you’re looking for.
EMDR Intensives offer a more focused, accelerated version of traditional EMDR therapy. Instead of spreading sessions out over many weeks or months, an intensive provides extended therapy time over the course of a single day or a few consecutive days. For many people, this concentrated format leads to meaningful breakthroughs in less time.
Why Choose an EMDR Intensive?
In traditional weekly therapy, it can take a while to build momentum. Between busy schedules and the natural rhythm of 50-minute sessions, it’s common to feel like you're just getting into the work before it's time to stop.
EMDR Intensives are designed to eliminate that stop-and-start feeling. They allow you to:
Dive deeper into your healing work without interruption
Spend more time processing a specific issue or traumatic memory
Achieve results more quickly and efficiently
Fit therapy into your life in a more flexible, time-limited way
Many clients choose EMDR Intensives when they’re preparing for a big life transition, recovering from a recent or past trauma, or simply want a focused space for healing without committing to long-term weekly sessions.
What Does an EMDR Intensive Look Like?
While every therapist structures intensives a bit differently, here's what a typical EMDR Intensive might include:
Pre-Intensive Consultation: Before the intensive, we’ll meet to understand your goals, review your history, and assess your readiness. This may include exercises to prepare your nervous system for deeper work.
Customized Treatment Plan: We’ll create a plan tailored to your unique needs, whether you’re addressing a specific traumatic memory or working through long-standing patterns.
Extended EMDR Sessions: The intensive itself typically lasts 3–6 hours per day (with breaks) over 1–3 days. This allows us to move through multiple phases of EMDR in one sitting, helping you reach insight and relief faster than traditional therapy.
Follow-Up Support: After the intensive, you may receive a debrief session, journaling prompts, resources, or optional integration therapy to help you process and reflect.
Who is a Good Fit for an EMDR Intensive?
EMDR Intensives are ideal for:
People with a specific issue or trauma they want to address quickly
Individuals with busy schedules who can’t attend weekly sessions
Clients already in therapy who want to complement their current work
Those seeking rapid relief from anxiety, PTSD, or emotional overwhelm
You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit—many clients use intensives proactively for personal growth, decision-making, or deep emotional clarity.
Is an Intensive Safe?
Yes. EMDR Intensives are designed with your safety and pacing in mind. We always prepare you with grounding techniques and coping strategies beforehand. If a memory becomes too overwhelming during the intensive, we slow down, pause, or pivot. Your well-being is always the priority.
Final Thoughts
An EMDR Intensive is a powerful way to give yourself the time, space, and support to work through what's keeping you stuck. Whether you're dealing with trauma, anxiety, or just feel ready for a breakthrough, this immersive experience can be a meaningful step forward in your healing journey.
If you’re curious about EMDR Intensives or wondering if it’s the right fit for you, we’d love to talk.