Who is an EMDR Intensive right for?

Perhaps you’ve had a felt sense that something profound has yet to change, but you’re not quite sure how to shift all the way into a new experience of yourself with your current therapist. Maybe you now cognitively understand new things, yet your body is still confused, so you’re curious about how intensive EMDR therapy can help as you work with your primary talk therapist.

Perhaps you’ve been meaning to get into weekly therapy for a while now, but your schedule has been so hectic and demanding that a weekly therapy appointment feels more overwhelming than supportive.

Perhaps you’re needing help — and a lot of it — right now, and you don’t want to spend months in the traditional weekly model of therapy treatment to feel better.

EMDR Intensives are ideal for those who have experienced a past trauma and are ready to be free from the intrusive thoughts, triggers, body sensations, and intense emotions associated with the trauma. I use a great deal of somatic interventions and ego state modalities in my work, to more fully process the trauma and decrease physical symptoms associated with the trauma. 

Why choose intensive EMDR work?

The traditional model of weekly psychotherapy is shifting to meet your needs. Now more than ever, we need flexibility in how we get support.

EMDR intensives are personalized treatment plans that allow you to skip the waitlist by giving you faster access to select spots, and are designed to support your preferred schedule and timeline for your treatment goals.

EMDR Intensives are highly effective and often require less time and overall cost than weekly therapy.

You don’t have to live locally. Clients can travel from anywhere and stay near Cambridge, MA for a few days to complete treatment.

You can feel better faster. Intensives are highly concentrated and focused so you can make faster progress and see lasting change.

EMDR Intensives can be especially helpful if you have an opening in your schedule like a summer break, sabbatical, or medical leave, and you want to use some of your time to replenish and refresh.

Is there research on EMDR Intensives?

Yes. See below to learn about research on EMDR Intensives:

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.

Customized Client Workbook

I offer a customized client workbook for all individuals enrolled in the intensive program. The workbook will be tailored specifically to your needs and you will have access to it prior to the intensive. It will be there to guide and support you before, during and after your EMDR intensive.  

How do I prepare for an EMDR Intensive?

Treat the days surrounding intensive sessions like a personal retreat. This is a time for you to really focus on healing yourself. Schedule activities you enjoy around your sessions, such as massages, yoga, and hiking, and give yourself plenty of time to rest afterwards.

Do you guarantee I will resolve my issues quickly or with one EMDR intensive?

I wish I could tell you exactly how long your healing and goal attainment will take. We never know where the brain will go during processing. While I cannot guarantee the specific time needed for an individual, I do guarantee your treatment will be focused, efficient and clear. Some people may feel that one intensive helps them achieve sufficient progress for their concerns. Others may choose to come back for another intensive later on, or continue to work on their goals with their primary therapist. In complex cases, especially with multiple traumatic events, additional intensive work may be recommended.