emdr intensive therapy

what is emdr therapy?

EMDR is a structured, evidence-based therapy designed to help individuals heal from trauma, distressing life experiences, and a wide range of mental health challenges. It’s been extensively researched and shown to be effective for conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, phobias, chronic pain, addictions, and more.

At its core, EMDR helps the brain reprocess stuck or unhealed memories. During sessions, you’ll be asked to briefly focus on a troubling memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation—typically through eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This stimulation activates your brain’s natural healing processes, allowing the memory to be reprocessed in a way that reduces its emotional charge and intensity.

EMDR follows an eight-phase approach and integrates elements of cognitive and exposure therapies, all while maintaining a gentle, client-centered pace. Together, we’ll identify the memories or themes contributing to your current struggles and move through them intentionally and safely. The goal isn’t to erase the past—but to help you relate to it differently, with less distress and more resilience.

In our work together, you remain an active participant every step of the way. I’ll create a safe, nurturing space and walk with you through the process, honoring your story and your pace. EMDR can offer deep emotional relief, fresh insight, and a renewed sense of peace as you move toward healing.

what qualifies emdr therapy as intensive?

EMDR therapy becomes "intensive" when the traditional weekly, hour-long model is transformed into a more concentrated and immersive experience. Instead of spreading treatment out over months, EMDR Intensive Therapy condenses the work into longer sessions over a shorter period—allowing us to go deeper, faster, and with more continuity.

This format is ideal for individuals who are ready to make meaningful progress but feel limited by time, emotional bandwidth, travel, or financial constraints. With intensives, we can create powerful momentum in your healing journey by removing the stop-and-start nature of weekly therapy and instead offering uninterrupted time for focused work.

I offer two flexible formats:

• Multiple Consecutive Days – We meet for 4–6 hours over several days in a row, creating a retreat-like space for deep processing and transformation.

• Ongoing Clusters – We space out 3-hour sessions in a way that fits your schedule, while still maintaining the power of the intensive approach.

These intensives aren’t just for trauma. They can be tailored to address anxiety, depression, phobias, addiction, or other specific concerns. Whether you’re looking for a breakthrough or just want to accelerate your healing, we’ll design an experience unique to you.

EMDR intensives can also serve as a beautiful complement to your ongoing weekly therapy. If you’re already working with a therapist, this isn’t about replacing that relationship—it’s about offering an additional layer of support to target stuck points and help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Ultimately, what makes EMDR therapy “intensive” is the intentional use of time and space to create lasting change more efficiently, all in a setting that honors your story, your needs, and your pace.

How do I know if I’m a good fit for an EMDR intensive versus traditional weekly sessions?

A one-hour consultation is required to begin your EMDR Intensive Therapy journey with me. This consultation assesses your therapeutic needs, discusses your goals for intensive therapy, and determines if the EMDR intensive format is appropriate for you. During this call, we will explore whether we are a good clinical fit and discuss the next steps in your therapeutic journey.

I reserve the right to determine, within the ethical guidelines of my professional board, whether the intensive therapy format is suitable for you. This decision will be based on clinical judgment and the information gathered during the consultation and early sessions.

what is expected from the client during the intensive therapy process?

As a client, you are responsible for actively participating in the therapeutic process, including attending scheduled sessions, engaging in recommended exercises or reflections, and communicating openly with me.

Is emdr intensive therapy covered by insurance?

No, unfortunately, insurance does not cover Intensive Therapy. Payment for Intensive Therapy must be made out-of-pocket. I do not bill insurance companies for this service, nor provide superbills for submission for reimbursement.

How much does the EMDR intensive cost, and do you offer payment plans?

Intensive Therapy sessions are billed at $200 per hour. The total cost of an Intensive Therapy session will depend on the hours agreed upon in advance, based on 4-hour increments. I do not offer payment plans; however, an initial nonrefundable deposit of 50% of the total cost is required when you book your Intensive Therapy session. The remaining balance is due two weeks before the scheduled start date of the Intensive Therapy session, so you will have plenty of time to make plans to cover the cost.