Deep processing with rapid results

EMDR Intensives offer the opportunity to do a focused, immersive piece of trauma therapy over a shorter period of time.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy that helps people heal from traumatic experiences. Developed in the late 1980s, EMDR uses guided eye movements or other forms of gentle stimulation while a person brings their painful memories to mind. This process helps the brain reprocess those memories, making them less overwhelming and helping the person develop healthier ways of thinking and coping. EMDR is commonly used to treat PTSD and other anxiety-related issues, and many people find it effective for moving past trauma.

There is growing evidence supporting an intensive approach to EMDR treatment. Studies have shown that intensives can have the same outcomes as treatment delivered over several months and therefore provide a quicker recovery and potentially less disruption to clinicians and clients.

The benefits of EMDR intensives include:

  • Treatment efficiency: compared to weekly sessions, less time is spent checking in at the beginning and closing down at the end, enabling more time to be spent on active trauma processing.
  • Reduced risk of destabilization: there is obviously less scope for life crises to disrupt treatment and less need to catch up on current challenges and concerns.
  • Reduced anxiety: Knowing you have a dedicated, protected time to address your issues away from the demands of daily life can alleviate much of the anxiety and pressure often associated with weekly sessions. This can help you enter the therapeutic space feeling more prepared and open.

An EMDR Intensive comprises the following:

  • Complimentary 50-minute consultation: This session gives us time to meet each other and get a sense of your challenges and goals. It is also aimed at working out whether an intensive is a good fit for you. You will then receive a customized workbook which you will use to reflect on your difficulties and your goals.
  • 90-minute assessment session: This is designed to build a picture of your background, your strengths and your areas of vulnerability, as well as clarifying and agreeing on treatment goals for the intensive.
  • Intensive therapy sessions: These are structured in blocks of up to three hours per day over three days. (This is flexible and can be adjusted according to need.)
  • Post-intensive follow-up session: We will use this to assess progress and consider ongoing resources. (You will also receive a post-intensive workbook to reflect on and consolidate the therapeutic gains that you have made.)

If you feel that this way of working could help your journey of recovery, please contact me to arrange a complimentary initial conversation. For more information on my trauma practice, click here.