What are EMDR Intensives?

A way to heal from anxiety or trauma, and fast! I believe EMDR extended sessions/intensives are one of the most effective ways to heal quickly. I am EMDR certified, meaning I have undergone extensive advanced training in EMDR in order to provide you with the best care possible. EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a highly researched therapy that has been proven effective for treating anxiety and trauma symptoms. EMDR helps us rewire our memories so that we process emotions and change the way we think about ourselves and our memories so that we are no longer coping with negative thoughts and feelings that showed up because of trauma. EMDR is well researched and recommended by leading health organizations around the world. Because EMDR is so effective and it isn’t talk therapy, there’s no reason to spread it out once a week over a long period of time, when extended sessions produce fast and effective results. My clients have reported massive transformation with their relationship to the distressing memories, shifting from feeling “highly impacted” to feeling “zero impact” by the end of our work together.

What is EMDR used for?

  • Traumatic or distressing memories

  • Anxiety related to driving, air travel, or performance

  • Grief/Loss

  • Phobias

  • Anxious or Avoidant attachment styles

  • Low self-esteem

  • Childhood trauma

  • Chronic pain

  • Witnessing or experiencing assault or violent acts

  • Stress reduction

  • Life transitions (Job loss, Relationship loss, etc.)

  • Uncovering the reason for getting activated in situations now that don’t make sense anymore

  • Performance Enhancement

 

Watch the video to see if EMDR extended sessions are right for you.

Pros to using an Intensive Therapy Approach:

  • Process more information in a shorter amount of time: Dedicate 1-3 days to focus on healing, growth, and connection, much like a wellness retreat.

  • Cost effective: Extended sessions are highly concentrated and highly focused, sometimes requiring less time and overall cost to the client.

  • No more weekly appointments if you don’t want them: Stop scheduling your weeks around therapy sessions. 

  • Make a lasting change: Take care of your mind and body.

What is EMDR?

Our brains have a natural way of storing memories in a healthy way. However, when we experience traumatic moments, our brains go into survival mode and are not able to store the memory effectively. That’s why trauma can feel so fresh and like it’s happening now. Our bodies feel like it IS happening now, because our brains weren’t able to store the memory effectively. Your body was doing it’s best, activating those impressive fight/flight/freeze skills, but that’s why even after the trauma is over, you may still feel “stuck” in the trauma, experiencing flashbacks, feeling down on yourself, nightmares, panic attacks, or avoiding things. You may feel chronic pain, anxiety, depression, or disconnection.

Everyone has been through trauma of some sort—whether it’s a comment a parent made that had a profound effect on you, a loss, or even abuse. EMDR is typically effective for a wide range of traumatic experiences. In EMDR, you are not required to discuss your trauma experiences in depth.

EMDR is so cool because it helps the brain process the memory and store it effectively, like any other memory, creating distance, integrating new positive beliefs about yourself, and releasing the power this memory has on you. While you’ll never approve of the trauma, you can be free from it.

If you’re interested or unsure if EMDR is right for you, feel free to reach out to learn more.

Why extended EMDR sessions? Why not week to week?

Sometimes it can be challenging to transition between work or day to day life and trauma healing. With an intensive or extended session, we can pick a chunk of time that you set aside, similar to a wellness retreat, to focus on healing. We may or may not complete the process in one session, but we will move so much faster.

Extended sessions are not individual therapy. You can come to extended sessions for some time, typically no more than 3 days, and you can return to your individual therapist having made huge progress in a concentrated period of time.

What will an EMDR extended session look like?

Prior to scheduling, we will chat on the phone to determine the right length of time for you. All sessions are virtual, and yes, it is just as effective online. It is recommended that you have an ongoing, individual therapist to continue care after we close.

For a whole day, we will likely meet 9-5, with lots of breaks built in, totaling 6 hours of therapy.

What do EMDR extended sessions cost?

Full Day Intensives = $1000 per day

Half Day Intensives = $500 per day

A 50% deposit is required to confirm your appointment

Remaining 50% paid on first day of the intensive

At this time, intensives are not covered by insurance.