Intensive Programs / Short-Term EMDR

Intensives are customized programs which give you the opportunity to engage in therapeutic healing work within a defined short-term timeframe that works for your schedule without the weekly commitment of ongoing therapy. They may consist of full-day or half-day sessions (with breaks!), or multiple days of hourly therapy sessions over a short period of time (for example, 2-3 sessions per week over 2-3 weeks’ time).

The intensive model also opens up space for new clients to work with me, which otherwise would not be possible due to having a full weekly caseload.

Three hours of therapy in the intensive format is the approximate equivalent of a month of weekly hourly treatment: a significant portion of weekly therapy sessions are spent checking in, discussing current stressors and triggers, and wrapping up, leaving a shortened period of the session to address treatment targets before the hour is over. An intensive program allows us to settle into the work and continue working in depth without the interruption of the clock or new stressors, possibly reaching treatment gains that would otherwise take many weeks.

What Happens During An Intensive?

An intensive is essentially several sessions’ worth of therapy condensed into one designated period of time. This does not mean that treatment is rushed or that we will “jump in” to trauma processing immediately. Just as traditional therapy takes time to build coping skills and trust with the therapist, we will work at a comfortable pace. You will do some homework ahead of time which will expedite the efficient use of session time.

While many different types of therapy can be used within an intensive model, the most common choice for an intensive program is EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy due to its clear structure:

1. EMDR begins with overall evaluation of your concerns and treatment planning around the focus areas you would like to address;
2. Preparing for processing through building coping skills and strengthening resources;
3. Selecting the “target” – a specific memory or difficult experience you’d like to resolve – for desensitization and reprocessing;
4. Desensitization and reprocessing of the target using carefully guided exposure to the memory combined with bilateral stimulation;
5. Strengthening of more empowering beliefs about self and the target;
6. Clearing any stress still held in the body related to the target;
7. Closure and debriefing of the experience;
8. Following up with a post-processing session to evaluate the effects of the work, explore any new insights gained, identify any changes in symptoms or response patterns, and identify any areas for future work (either in your own weekly therapy or in an additional intensive session).

These phases repeat for each target that you would like to address with EMDR. Every person’s therapy journey is unique, so it is impossible to guarantee specific results or promise that we will completely resolve a target within one intensive program. This is why the post-processing follow-up session to review your experience is so important. Your workbook will help you prepare your reflections for the post-processing session.

It’s often helpful to incorporate other therapeutic approaches to enhance the positive effects of EMDR (although any of these could be chosen for intensive work in lieu of EMDR):

• Parts work for exploring internal conflict and accepting parts of self (using visualization techniques for guided self-exploration);
• Sandtray therapy for a hands-on sensory experience of exploring themes and expressing oneself through symbols without words;
• Clinical hypnosis can be used for relaxation and positive resource building.
• Many people enjoy the use of music or other sensory experiences for relaxation and grounding which can be incorporated into your experience.

Make Your Intensive a Retreat Experience

Your customized workbook will include resources for how to turn your intensive treatment day(s) into a mini-retreat to support your healing journey.

Format of Intensive Work

The ideal format of an EMDR intensive is a half-day or full-day(s) of focused treatment. This model is not covered by insurance yet and is self-pay only.

An alternative model of an EMDR intensive is essentially the same amount of therapy time broken into 4 to 6 one-hour-long sessions, scheduled in short succession to approximate the benefit of a condensed time frame. Hourly treatment sessions are covered by insurance, so this option may be more accessible for some.

Intensives or Short-Term EMDR may be right for you if:

• You have a specific concern you would like to work on, such as:
  • resolving a recent traumatic event or upsetting experience,
  • building self-confidence, or
  • reducing emotional reactions in particular situations;
• You do not need ongoing support through weekly therapy, or you are doing well in your existing weekly therapy and would like to amplify your results or shift a “plateau” in your progress;
• You have a strong support system; and
• You have few, if any, current major stressors or issues that need your attention (unless a recent incident is your focus of intensive treatment).

Intensives or Short-Term EMDR might not be the right fit if:

• You would benefit from ongoing support in therapy and do not currently have an outpatient therapist;
• You lack a strong support system; or
• You have a number of current stressors or issues that need your attention (such as major work responsibilities or deadlines, serious illness or family problems, etc.)