EMDR Intensives

What is EMDR therapy?

You know that feeling when you’ve been chipping away at something for months—whether it’s a work project or a personal goal—and you just want to buckle down and get it done? That’s exactly what an EMDR Intensive offers for your healing journey.

Many of the clients we work with have called traditional EMDR therapy “transformative” for the relief it provides, and EMDR Intensives take this healing power to the next level. An EMDR Intensive is a focused, time-limited therapeutic experience where you receive multiple hours of EMDR therapy in a condensed timeframe—either in a single day or across several consecutive days.

Think of it this way: rather than taking small sips of healing over months of weekly sessions, an EMDR Intensive allows you to dive deep and process difficult experiences more rapidly. It’s like the difference between taking evening classes once a week versus an immersive weekend intensive—both are valuable, but the concentrated format often leads to those breakthrough moments in a fraction of the time.

EMDR Intensives maintain all the powerful, evidence-based elements of traditional EMDR therapy but deliver them in a concentrated format that can help you experience relief and positive changes in days rather than months. This approach can be particularly powerful if you’re feeling stuck, facing an urgent situation, or simply prefer a more immersive healing experience that fits your busy life.

How does an EMDR Intensive work?

EMDR Intensives follow the same scientifically-validated approach as traditional EMDR therapy but in a more concentrated format that respects your time and your readiness to do this work. Here’s how the process typically unfolds:

Before Your Intensive

  • Initial Consultation: We’ll start with a thorough conversation to determine if an intensive format is right for you and your specific needs. This isn’t one-size-fits-all healing—we’ll make sure this approach makes sense for where you are right now.
  • Preparation Session: Before your intensive begins, we’ll have a 100-minute session to build coping skills and identify the specific memories or patterns you want to address. Think of this as creating your toolkit before we start the deeper work.
  • Customized Planning: Your therapist will create a tailored plan for your intensive experience, focusing on your unique goals and the life areas that matter most to you.

During Your Intensive

  • Extended Sessions: Depending on the format you choose, you’ll engage in 2-6 hours of therapy per day, with strategic breaks to prevent overwhelm. We’re not trying to exhaust you—we’re creating space for real processing to happen.
  • Focused Processing: Using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tones, or taps), we’ll help your brain process difficult memories and experiences that have been causing distress in your daily life.
  • Continuous Support: Throughout the intensive, your therapist will closely monitor your comfort level and provide guidance, ensuring you feel safe and supported every step of the way.

After Your Intensive

  • Integration Period: Following your intensive (whether or single session or many intensive sessions over weeks), you’ll have time to integrate the changes and insights you’ve experienced. This is when you’ll start noticing shifts in how you show up in your relationships, work, and daily life.
  • Follow-Up Session: A follow-up session 2-3 weeks after your intensive helps reinforce your progress and address any questions or emerging insights.
  • Optional Maintenance: Some clients benefit from occasional “booster” sessions to reinforce their progress and address any new challenges that come up.

The beauty of EMDR Intensives is that they allow for deeper, more continuous processing without the week-long breaks that can sometimes interrupt momentum in traditional weekly therapy. This often leads to faster resolution of symptoms and a more efficient healing journey—something that matters when you have a full life waiting for you.

Is an EMDR Intensive effective over telehealth in California or Florida?

Absolutely! EMDR Intensives can be highly effective through telehealth, whether you’re in California, Florida, or anywhere else in these states.

While traditionally conducted in-person, advancements in technology and extensive experience since 2020 have shown that telehealth EMDR Intensives can be just as powerful and transformative as in-person sessions. The research supports that the essential elements of EMDR therapy—including bilateral stimulation and therapeutic connection—remain intact and effective through virtual means.

Here’s why telehealth EMDR Intensives work so well:

  • Comfort of Your Own Space: Processing difficult memories can be emotionally demanding. Being in your own familiar environment often provides an added sense of safety and comfort—you can curl up in your favorite chair or have your own tissues nearby.
  • No Recovery Commute: After intense emotional processing, you can simply rest in your own space rather than navigating traffic or figuring out how to pull yourself together for the drive home.
  • Uninterrupted Healing: Life happens—weather, illness, childcare emergencies. Telehealth ensures these don’t disrupt your intensive experience when you’ve carved out this important time for yourself.
  • Access to Specialized Care: Telehealth removes geographical barriers, allowing you to work with highly trained EMDR specialists regardless of your location in California or Florida.

We’re extensively trained in delivering EMDR Intensives via telehealth and use secure, reliable platforms to ensure a smooth experience. We’ll guide you through any technical setup needed, including options for bilateral stimulation that work effectively in a virtual environment.

The bottom line: Your healing doesn’t have to wait for the perfect logistical circumstances. Telehealth EMDR Intensives offer the same transformative potential as in-person work, with added convenience and flexibility that fits your real life

What issues can EMDR Intensives treat? Can it help me?

EMDR Intensives can effectively address a wide range of issues, often providing rapid relief where other approaches have felt stuck or incomplete. The concentrated format is particularly powerful for breaking through those patterns that keep showing up despite your best efforts to think your way out of them.

Here’s what we consistently see EMDR Intensives help with:

  • Trauma and PTSD • Single-incident trauma (accidents, assaults, medical trauma) • Complex trauma and C-PTSD • Childhood trauma and adverse experiences • Combat and first responder trauma • Sexual trauma and assault recovery
  • Anxiety and Stress • Panic attacks and phobias • Social anxiety and performance anxiety • Work-related stress and burnout • Generalized anxiety and those 3 AM worry spirals • Health anxiety
  • Mood and Emotional Challenges • Depression and persistent low mood • Grief and complicated bereavement • Anger that seems disproportionate to the situation • Emotional regulation struggles • Self-esteem and confidence issues
  • Relationship and Identity Concerns • Attachment wounds and trust issues • Relationship patterns that keep repeating despite your awareness • People-pleasing and boundary difficulties • Identity exploration and strengthening • Recovery from narcissistic abuse or gaslighting
  • Performance Enhancement • Public speaking anxiety • Creative or professional blocks • Sports performance optimization • Test anxiety and academic performance • Professional confidence and imposter syndrome

The intensive format is particularly beneficial if:

  • You feel stuck in traditional weekly therapy • You’re experiencing acute distress and need more rapid relief • You have limited time availability for weekly sessions • You’re traveling from a distance for specialized care • You prefer a focused, immersive approach to healing • You’re ready to invest deeply in this work

Not sure if your specific concern can be addressed through an EMDR Intensive? Many of the women we work with are surprised to discover that issues they’ve been managing for years can be significantly improved through this approach. The best way to determine if an EMDR Intensive is right for you is to schedule a consultation where we can explore your unique situation together.

Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Intensives

How long is an EMDR Intensive?

EMDR Intensives can be structured in different ways to meet your needs and schedule. Common formats include single-day intensives (2-6 hours), two-day intensives (3-6 hours each day), or multi-day intensives (typically 3-5 consecutive days) or, depending on circumstances, multiple weeks of this. The specific duration will be determined based on your goals, your history, and what feels manageable and effective for you.

How quickly will I notice results from an EMDR Intensive?

Many of our clients report significant relief and shifts in perspective during or immediately following their intensive experience. While everyone's healing journey is unique, the concentrated nature of intensives often produces noticeable results more quickly than traditional weekly therapy. Some clients achieve in days what might otherwise take months of weekly sessions—though remember, this isn't a race. It's about creating lasting change.

Is an EMDR Intensive right for me if I've never done EMDR before?

Absolutely! Many of our clients have their first EMDR experience in an intensive format. We'll ensure you have proper preparation and understanding of the process before beginning. The intensive format can actually be ideal for first-time EMDR clients because it allows for deeper processing without those week-long breaks between sessions that can sometimes interrupt momentum.

How do I prepare for an EMDR Intensive?

Prior to your intensive, we'll have a preparation session to develop resources and coping strategies. We recommend arranging your schedule to have minimal responsibilities immediately following your intensive days, ensuring you're well-rested and nourished during the process, and having support people available if needed. Think of it like preparing for any important event in your life—you want to set yourself up for success.

Will I be overwhelmed by emotions during or after an EMDR Intensive?

While emotional processing is part of EMDR therapy, we're highly skilled at pacing the work to stay within your window of tolerance. We incorporate frequent breaks and check-ins to ensure you feel safe and supported throughout the process. Most clients find the experience challenging but manageable, and often report feeling lighter and more at peace afterward rather than overwhelmed.

How much does an EMDR Intensive cost?

EMDR Intensives are priced as packages based on the specific format and duration you choose. While intensives represent a larger upfront investment compared to weekly therapy, many clients find them more cost-effective in the long run since they often require fewer total hours to achieve their goals. We're happy to discuss pricing details during your initial consultation.

Can I use insurance for an EMDR Intensive?

We're a private pay therapy center but we can provide documentation for you to submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement for your intensives. On top of this, many clients choose to use HSA/FSA funds or see the intensive as an investment in their wellbeing that provides significant value through faster symptom relief and life improvement.

What happens if we don't complete all the processing during the scheduled intensive time?

We'll help prioritize what to focus on to make the most of your intensive time based on what will have the biggest impact on your daily life. If additional processing is needed, we can discuss options such as scheduling another intensive, transitioning to weekly sessions, or providing additional resources for continued healing.

How do I know if an EMDR Intensive is better for me than weekly therapy?

EMDR Intensives may be ideal if you: • Want to address issues more rapidly • Have tried weekly therapy with limited progress • Have a busy schedule that makes weekly appointments challenging • Are traveling from a distance for specialized care • Have specific, identifiable experiences or patterns to process • Prefer a focused, immersive approach to healing • Are ready to make a significant investment in your wellbeing

During your consultation, we'll explore which approach—intensive or weekly—might best serve your unique needs and life circumstances.

What if I get overwhelmed during an intensive session?

We're highly trained to monitor your comfort level throughout the process. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, we'll immediately shift to grounding and stabilization techniques. You're always in control of the pace, and we can take breaks or adjust the approach as needed. Creating a safe, supportive environment for your healing journey is always our priority.

Do I need to have clear memories of my trauma for EMDR Intensives to work?

Not at all. EMDR can effectively address the emotional and physical sensations associated with difficult experiences, even when specific memories are vague or incomplete. Many of our clients work with feelings, bodily sensations, or general patterns rather than detailed memories. Your body holds the wisdom—we just help it process and release what's been stuck.

Can I do an EMDR Intensive if I'm currently taking medication for anxiety or depression?

Yes, EMDR Intensives are compatible with most medications for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. During your initial consultation, we'll review your current medications to ensure there are no contraindications. It's important to maintain your prescribed medication regimen throughout the intensive process unless otherwise directed by your prescribing physician.

Are you ready to transform your life through an EMDR Intensive?

If you're ready to move beyond surface solutions and invest in the kind of deep, strategic work that creates lasting change, I'd love to explore whether an EMDR Intensive is right for you.

Take the first step toward rapid, profound healing by scheduling a complimentary consultation call. We'll answer your questions, address your concerns, and help determine if an EMDR Intensive fits your needs and your life right now.

What if I’m Not Ready?

Not Quite Ready to Book a Complimentary Concierge Matching Call? That’s Okay.

We understand that taking the first step towards therapy can feel overwhelming. We’re here to make this decision easier for you.

Starting therapy can bring up mixed feelings—part of you might be eager, while another part hesitates to confront deeply buried emotions. You might doubt whether therapy can help, especially if you’ve struggled for a long time or had disappointing experiences with untrained therapists or life coaches. At Evergreen Counseling, our trauma-trained therapists are deeply committed to providing expert care.

Here’s How We Can Help You Move Forward

  • Complimentary Concierge Matching Call: Our concierge matching call is an opportunity for you to ask questions, share your concerns, and see if our approach feels right for you—without any obligation.
  • Reimbursement Options: Concerned about the cost? We can guide you on how to get reimbursed for therapy using your out-of-network insurance benefits, making high-quality care more accessible to you.
  • Informed Decision: Whether you’re ready to start or still exploring your options, we want you to feel fully informed and confident in your choice.

Schedule Your Complimentary Concierge Matching Call

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