EMDR Intensives
A focused and carefully planned way of delivering EMDR therapy
EMDR intensives are a more concentrated way of delivering EMDR therapy.
Rather than meeting weekly for 60 or 90 minutes, an intensive may involve longer sessions, sessions delivered more frequently, or a focused block of EMDR therapy over several days.
It is still EMDR therapy. It is not a different therapy, and it does not move away from the standard EMDR model.
The difference is the structure and pacing of the work. The aim is to create a more focused and protected space for trauma therapy, with less of the stop-start pattern that can sometimes happen when sessions are spread out weekly.
For some clients this can help maintain momentum, reduce avoidance between sessions and allow trauma work to feel more contained.
Why might someone choose an EMDR intensive?
Some people find weekly therapy difficult because of work, travel, caring responsibilities, shift patterns, location or anxiety about returning each week.
Others may prefer to set aside a specific period of time to focus on trauma work, rather than having therapy spread across many months.
EMDR intensives may also be helpful when there are clear trauma targets and the client has already completed enough assessment and preparation to move safely into processing.
An intensive does not mean rushing therapy. It means working in a more focused and contained way, where this is clinically appropriate.
Is an EMDR intensive suitable for everyone?
No. EMDR intensives are not suitable for everyone.
Before offering an intensive, we complete an assessment to consider whether this approach is clinically appropriate. This includes thinking about your history, current stability, support network, trauma symptoms, ability to use regulation strategies, current risks, and whether you can protect time to rest and recover between sessions.
Some clients may be ready to move into intensive processing relatively quickly. Others may need more preparation first. For some people, weekly EMDR or a slower phased approach may be more appropriate.
The question is not only whether EMDR is suitable.
The question is whether intensive EMDR is suitable right now.
Please contact me for more information on intensive EMDR.