EMDR intensive therapy
EMDR Intensive therapy is a concentrated, evidence-based approach to processing trauma, anxiety, and PTSD. Instead of months of traditional weekly sessions, intensives compress deep therapeutic work into focused blocks of time — supporting meaningful progress with less disruption to your daily life.
What is an EMDR Intensive?
An EMDR Intensive is a dedicated, concentrated, time-efficient way to promote faster results while using the modality of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. When people engage in longer sessions of EMDR therapy, as opposed to the traditional 50 minute sessions, they can process trauma, reduce symptoms, and move toward healing at an accelerated pace.
Why choose an EMDR Intensive?
EMDR therapy intensives offer a focused alternative to traditional weekly sessions, providing extended time for deep, meaningful, and healing work. Rather than meeting for hour-long sessions over several months, this format creates a dedicated space for rapid progress. EMDR Intensives give space for the therapist to provide structured guidance, supporting you through emotional regulation and trauma resolution in a concentrated, efficient timeframe.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR Intensives utilize the same evidence-based principles as traditional EMDR to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories and reduce their emotional charge. However, the structure of an EMDR Intensive is fundamentally different:
Condensed format
Multiple hours of treatment are packed into 1–3 days, or spread over a few weeks
Deep focus
Without the distraction of weekly life crises, you focus entirely on your healing goals
Continuous momentum
You avoid the "start/stop" disruption of weekly sessions, allowing the nervous system to process deeper into traumatic material
Key Benefits of an EMDR Intensive
Faster symptom relief
Clients often achieve in a few days what might take months to accomplish through traditional weekly therapy.
Convenience for busy schedules
Ideal for professionals, parents, or those traveling from out of town who cannot commit to weekly appointments.
Reduced emotional whiplash
By staying in the therapeutic space, you avoid the vulnerability of diving into tough memories only to have to "turn it off" for work or family responsibilities.
Cost-effective over time
While the upfront cost is higher per session, the total number of sessions required is often lower, potentially reducing overall treatment costs.
Is an EMDR Intensive a good fit for you?
EMDR intensives are highly effective for people who are ready to do focused work on traumatic memories, anxiety, PTSD, or for people who feel that something is “stuck.”
Intensives may be especially helpful if you:
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Have specific trauma or PTSD symptoms that you want a concentrated approach to addressing
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Are feeling "stuck" in your current, slower-paced therapy and want more momentum
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Have good coping skills and can manage moderate stress
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Want focused support for trauma, anxiety, or distressing life experiences
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Prefer a structured, goal-oriented approach
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Are ready for deeper work in a concentrated format
What to expect during EMDR intensive therapy
(after a consultation call to determine if you are a good fit)
1
Initial assessment and Preparation Phase (90min)
A detailed assessment to give the therapist clarity on your goals and to give you space to streamline your goals. Building coping skills, grounding techniques, and developing a "safe place" to manage distress during processing. You will then be sent a workbook to complete in preparation for the Processing Sessions.
2
Intensive Processing Sessions
4–6 hour blocks (including breaks) dedicated to reprocessing traumatic and painful memories.
3
Integration & Closing (60 min)
A review of progress and creation of a plan to integrate your new emotional resilience into your daily life.
(Note: The assessment and Preparation Phase will be scheduled generally a few weeks before the first Processing Session; the Integration and Closing session will generally be scheduled a few weeks after the last Processing Session)
EMDR packages and costs
One-Day Intensive
(5.5 hours of Therapeutic Contact)
A focused session ideal for processing 1-2 specific traumatic events or emotional blocks.
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90-minute Initial Assessment and Preparation
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3-hour Processing Session (with breaks totaling 30 minutes)
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60-minute Integration and Close Out session
Cost:
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$1000 (Monday or Wednesday morning)
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$1400 (Saturday or Sunday morning)
Two-Day Intensives
(8.5 hours of Therapeutic Contact)
Get the full benefits of an intensive while spreading out the emotional load over a few weeks.
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90-minute Initial Assessment and Preparation
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3-hour Processing Sessions for 2 separate days (with breaks totaling 30 minutes)
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60-minute Integration and Close Out sessions
Cost:
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$1500 (Monday or Wednesday mornings)
$1900 (Saturday or Sunday mornings)
Packages can be customized if more days and/or times are needed.
If you are a current client, the packages will be structured and priced differently, as an initial assessment is not needed.
2% Cash/check discount on all packages (returned checks have a $40 fee)
Payment Structure for EMDR Intensives
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25% Deposit: Due at booking (Non-refundable).
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25% at 1 Month Out: Workbook will be sent and you will have approximately 3 weeks to complete it (Non-refundable)
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25% at Assessment: Due on the day of pre-intensive preparation. (Non-refundable)
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25% on Day 1: Final payment (Non-refundable)
Note: For bookings within 30 days of the intensive, a (50%) deposit is required at booking, with the remaining (50%) split between the assessment day (25%) and the first day of the intensive (25%).
Can I use insurance for EMDR intensive therapy?
No, all EMDR Intensive packages are considered un-covered services under insurance contracts, therefore, these services can not be billed to insurance. You may be able to use your FSA/HSA funds to pay for an intensive, however, it is your responsibility to determine if this is a covered service by your FSA/HSA.