Why would I choose an EMDR intensive for treatment?

Traditional models of psychotherapy might not meet your actual needs in real time. You need flexibility and support now. Maybe you have a demanding work schedule, maybe you travel, are a new parent, or are a busy student. Your are a person who realizes that the traditional 50-minute session is not going to help you reach your therapy goals as fast as you’d like.

EMDR intensives are a personalized treatment plans that allow you to skip a wait-list of weekly sessions, to give you faster access to select spots that are more likely to work with your preferred treatment timeline.

EMDR intensives can save time and money: rather than checking in, building up to readiness, and then spending more time wrapping up each session, we focus on diving in and getting work done. We are able to put more effort into what you came here to do: processing and desensitizing so that you can feel better.

EMDR intensives can be a valuable addition to the work you are already doing with your current therapist. Through adjunctive EMDR intensives, we can collaborate with your current treatment provider and work through stuck points, so that you return to session with them ready to face issues that once felt insurmountable.

Are EMDR intensives for me?

Maybe you’re someone who knows the source of their problems, how to use coping skills and positive self talk, but still doesn’t believe they are good enough, safe enough, or capable enough. There’s a difference between cognitively understanding and your body deeply feeling relief.

You might be a great fit if you are already in therapy and you (and your therapist) realize that there are some big blocking ideas, past events, habits or fears keeping you from reaching your treatment goals.

EMDR intensives might be for you if you generally feel well, but have recently been through a major event that has left you feeling unsettled and ready to feel more like yourself again.

You might be a current, weekly client, who is needing extra, focused support quickly.

Maybe you are a new client who just prefers to work intensively.

If this is you, EMDR intensives can help you take the next step on your healing journey

Is there research to back this method up?

Sure is! Take a look at these articles for a deeper dive:

Intensive application of trauma-focused therapy seems to be well tolerated in patients with PTSD, enabling faster symptom reduction with similar, or even better, results, while reducing the risk that patients drop out prematurely. Learn more here and here.

Intensive EMDR treatment is feasible and is indicative of reliable improvement in PTSD symptoms in a very short time frame. Learn more here.

An intensive program using EMDR therapy is a potentially safe and effective treatment alternative for complex PTSD. Learn more here.

The economy is compelling: even compared to other trauma therapy, the intensive format may decrease treatment time, because of time not spent on a) checking in at the beginning of each session, b) addressing current crises and concerns, c) focusing on stabilizing and coping skills that the client won’t need after trauma healing, or d) assisting the client in regaining composure at the end of the session. Learn more here.

Ok, I’m in. What are the logistics?

EMDR intensives are 3 hours in length per day and are available in-person and via telehealth. Intensives are currently being scheduled on Fridays. First we meet for a 1 hour screening interview and assessment. After this, we schedule your 3 hour intensive sessions. Most folks choose to meet for three, 3 hour sessions. Intensive session content will include:

• Treatment Preparation: this preparation will help us prioritize our work and set you up with tools and strategies to use throughout, and after, treatment. Those in the know call this ‘EMDR Spa Day’ because while it might not feel great to list off a bunch of problems, it does feel great to learn specialized EMDR soothing strategies. This is typically the first 3 hour session.

• Treatment Program: this is where we will process the memories, physical sensations and/or negative beliefs you would like to move past. We’ll also work on building up positive beliefs and strengthening resilience. This can be adapted to include art and play, to help keep you grounded as we move forward. This is typically the second and third 3 hour sessions.

• Wrap-up Assessment: We’ll meet to discuss what’s next for you and how to keep positive changes coming. This might mean re-entry into your regular life with lots of new changes, or it might mean catching your therapist up on our progress. We’ll collaborate to find a path forward. This might be an hour long meeting, a 15 minute conversation, or part of your third 3 hour session, depending on your needs.

Schedule a free, 15-minute consult call to start EMDR intensive therapy in Pennsylvania or California today.