EMDR Intensive Therapy

Working intensively with EMDR provides accelerated, focused treatment sessions for clients with tight schedules, who don’t want traditional therapy, or who simply need help fast. Intensive sessions offer personalized and targeted goals, which allow you to skip the weekly sessions and waitlists, giving you more control over your own therapy.

The intensive format may fit your needs if…

  • Traditional talk therapy has been helpful, but you need something more focused and specialized.

  • You’re feeling stuck on this one issue. Your brain gets it but your body won’t catch up. You sense the need for a shift, but you’re not sure how to get there or what needs to change.

  • You are busy! Making time for weekly therapy just won’t fit in your schedule right now.

  • You want to feel better and quick. Months of weekly therapy sessions is not what you’re looking for.

Benefits

Time

Sessions are completed within one week, greatly reducing lost work or personal time.

Money

Larger up front cost can ultimately save money over time by shortening treatment duration traditionally spent in weekly sessions.

Schedule

Arrangements for child care, time off work, and other personal obligations can be secured for one planned week rather than repeatedly over an extended period of time.

Waitlists

With limited resources for trauma treatment providers, Intensives offer shorter wait times as they are completed within a week, making recurring space for new clients.

Location

Clients from all over the country are welcome to participate in Intensives as part of a larger visit. Sessions are held in Hickory, North Carolina, in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, where you can participate in endless outdoor activities with stunning views.

  • Initial Consultation (15 minutes): Call with clinician to determine fit and readiness for intensive EMDR treatment.

  • Deposit and Schedule: Clinician will determine an estimated time of treatment from two or more hours per week to several consecutive days depending on client preference, severity of symptoms, and concerns to be addressed. A 50% deposit is due to confirm scheduled session with remainder due upon ending treatment. Client will be provided paperwork and structured assessments to complete prior to scheduled Intensive.

  • Customized Treatment Plan and Intensive Session: Consists of case conceptualization and target planning to identify negative beliefs and associated body sensations, emotions, or images which seem to be causing the distress. Targets will be processed according to client’s goals and concerns and level of disturbance of symptoms.

  • Post-intensive Follow-up: Clinician will reach out to client to discuss progress and discuss follow-up with regular therapist (if applicable). Client will have the opportunity to schedule further intensive sessions if appropriate.

Program structure

Intensive FAQs

  • I LOVE talking about this treatment! I have an entire page HERE dedicated to this question.

  • Intensive programs are specifically tailored to your treatment goals, typically one or two issues that have been holding you back or affecting your daily life. It gives you faster access to treatment and can kickstart your progress. With longer, more focused sessions we are able to eliminate time spent on the traditional “weekly check-in” and spend that time digging into the targeted concern while being supported by the clinician.

  • Intensives can be effective for a wide variety of diagnoses and traumatic experiences, however they are not appropriate for all clients. Clients with significant and extended childhood abuse and neglect may benefit from the intensive format, but must have a supportive talk therapist in place for follow up treatment after an Intensive. If it is not advised that a client engage in an intensive, it does not mean the client is damaged or broken. It likely means they would benefit from a period of traditional therapy to prepare for intense trauma work. Additionally, clients with active substance use or addiction issues must address these concerns prior to intensive work with me.

  • I am certified to provide EMDR therapy through EMDRIA, the international association for excellence in EMDR training and practice. I am experienced in working with a wide variety of trauma from single incident experiences to extensive developmental and attachment trauma, sexual abuse, and neglect as well as symptoms of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. I have seen this treatment work. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t believe in it and trust the process to help clients heal and grow into the person they were meant to be.

  • Yes!

    For research supporting EMDR treatment as a clinical approach see my EMDR page HERE.

    Research supporting EMDR intensives includes:

    -Intensive therapy was found to be well-tolerated in patients with PTSD, reducing symptoms with similar, or even better results, while reducing patient drop out rates. Read more HERE and HERE.

    -Intensive treatment is feasible and is indicative of reliable improvement in PTSD symptoms in a very short time frame. See more HERE.

    -An intensive program using EMDR therapy is a potentially safe and effective treatment alternative for complex PTSD. Read more HERE.

    -Compared to other trauma therapy, the intensive format reduces total number of treatment hours, 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. See more HERE.

  • Total fees for EMDR Intensive sessions are based on your needs and the treatment program design. You will be provided a statement communicating your program rate prior to beginning treatment in accordance with the No Surprises Act. Intensives are billed by the hour with a 50% deposit required to schedule. Hourly fees for intensive sessions are $200.

  • Insurance can be messy and confusing. Generally speaking, insurance does not reimburse for more than one hour of treatment per day. For this reason, I discuss specific benefit questions with each client individually. Coverage is not guaranteed and clients are ultimately responsible for the full amount of their program fees.

  • Please visit the CONTACT page and submit your information to request more information or to schedule a consultation call. Be sure to specify that you’re interested in an Intensive Program!