EMDR Intensives: What are they, and how do they work?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) intensives are structured, extended therapy sessions designed to accelerate the healing process for individuals dealing with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and other psychological concerns.

Unlike traditional weekly EMDR therapy, which may take months or years to complete, EMDR intensives are condensed into multiple hours or days, allowing for deeper and faster progress.

What Happens in EMDR Intensives?

Pre-Intensive Preparation:

A 90-minute session to determine the goals of the Therapy Intensive and prepare for the experience. We will identify the painful memories, beliefs, emotions, or images from which you are seeking relief. You also will receive a custom EMDR.

EMDR Processing:

We will use your identified targets, explore your thoughts, emotions, and body sensations related to the events, and rate your distress and strength of your positive beliefs. Next, we begin using bilateral stimulation (BLS). I use a web-based platform for eye movements or auditory cues, but you can also use tapping.

Integration and Closure:

We work to reinforce the positive beliefs, discuss insights gained from the session, and review tools for continued healing

Post-Intensive Interview:

This 90-minute session gives us time to debrief the experience and reflect on areas of insight, relief, and transformation. We will discuss your next steps for continued growth and healing. This may include more intensives, attending weekly therapy, or utilizing resources on your own.

Benefits of EMDR Intensives

EMDR Therapy Intensives are more effective and efficient than normal 50-minute therapy sessions.

Typically, in a 50-minute session, there are at least 5-10 minutes of “check-in” at the start of the session and usually, 5-10 minutes spent on “closing up” or “checking out” at the end of a session - Leaving only 30-40 minutes for deep therapeutic work.

Therapy Intensives are different. A 3-hour Therapy Intensive allows for 2.5 hours of depth work. That’s the equivalent of five 50-minute sessions or more than a month of therapy - in a single day!

• Faster results: Significant progress in a shorter time frame

• Reduced distress: Less time spent suffering between sessions

• Deeper processing: Extended time allows for a more thorough approach

• Convenience: Fewer sessions can fit better into busy schedules

• Lower risk of retraumatization: More time for stabilization and emotional regulation

Who Might Benefit from EMDR Intensives?

• Individuals with PTSD, complex trauma, or anxiety disorders

• Those experiencing a recent crisis or distressing event

• People who have limited availability for weekly therapy

• People who feel "stuck" in traditional therapy

How Long Do EMDR Intensives Last?

This depends on your goals for the EMDR Intensives.

Some goals can be reached in a 1 Day Intensive (3 hours), but other goals are more complex and may require a 3 Day Intensive. I can help you determine the number of days that would work best for your therapy goals.

I (Lindsay) completed a 6-hour intensive around a medical trauma. Some of what I processed felt better to use weekly sessions, but there was a three-month period that seemed daunting going through each piece weekly. I was able to fully resolve that period of time and felt the processing was accelerated. My experience with intensives sparked my interest in offering this service.

Finding an EMDR Intensives Provider

Our practice owner and Certified EMDR Therapist, Lindsay Boudreau, offers EMDR intensives. Email her to find out more about EMDR Intensives.

You could also search on www.emdria.org for your closest provider.