EMDR Therapy Intensives
What is an EMDR Intensive?
An EMDR Intensive is a specific type of EMDR Therapy in which the therapist and client will work together for a larger chunk of time, typically 3-6 hours at once. This can significantly reduce the time spent in therapy, especially on a given content area (such as birth trauma, infertility or issues arising from the transition into motherhood). In a sense, EMDR intensives are like binge watching your favorite show instead of waiting a week between episodes.
Moms I’ve worked with have experienced:
Less irritability and anger, less explosions at loved ones
Finally taking time for themselves without guilt!
Decreased racing thoughts, worrying about what needs to get done and how
Feeling “lighter”, like they aren’t carrying around extra mental weight
Significantly reduced anxiety and worrying
Believing, at their core, that they can handle the daily stress of being a mom
Increased confidence in all areas including motherhood, in relationships, at work and with themselves
What are the benefits of an EMDR Intensive?
Some of the potential benefits of EMDR intensive therapy include decreased symptoms of PTSD (such as sleep issues, nightmares, body tension, feeling like something bad will happen, anxiety and fear), improved daily functioning and coping with the stressors you do encounter, and an overall shift in mental well being. For many moms I work with, EMDR intensives have made them feel lighter, more present in their life, less explosive outbursts at kiddos/family, and a general increase in their confidence.
The EMDR Intensive Process
During your EMDR intensive, you and your therapist will meet for a larger amount of time (several hours) than a typical weekly 50 minute session. The therapist will guide you through the EMDR process, targeting the memories or events that you’ve decided to focus on. Ideally, at the end of an intensive, you will be able to integrate these traumatic events into your body’s overall understanding of your lived experience (instead of having them live on their own, being jostled and poked at easily).
Intensives can be extremely beneficial to folks who:
Have limited time, such as busy moms, parents who work outside of the home
Try to push away/ignore their feelings until a better moment (which never comes)
Deal with specific events or memories that bother them in the present (birth trauma, infertility, pregnancy loss, childhood events that are affecting their parenting)
Do NOT want another weekly commitment
Moms who are already seeing a weekly therapist! Intensives are a fantastic supplement that can often get things moving when clients feel stuck
After an intensive session, it is normal to feel:
a sense of emotional release or exhaustion as your brain continues to process and integrate the experiences targeted during the session.
like you need a break, perhaps some extra intentional self care.
lighter, as if the weight of many years has been lifted.
extra tender. You just did a lot of work and healing.
What to Expect During and After an EMDR Intensive
During your intensive session, you can expect multiple rounds of EMDR reprocessing (using bilateral stimulation in various forms including eye movement, auditory tones or tactile stimulation) with breaks in between. You will also be walked through some grounding techniques, internal resources and ways of finding your center to help manage any distress that may arise during or between sessions.
EMDR Intensive FAQs
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Lots of people!
Busy moms who can’t or don’t want to add in another weekly obligation to their already full schedule
People who already go to weekly therapy but maybe feel stuck or need to address a specific event or memory outside of talk therapy.
Folks who want faster relief of symptoms and are ready to dive in deep but for a shorter amount of time.
Overwhelmed parents or working professionals who want to know that there is a specific, time ,limited period for the work.
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EMDR therapy can be effective during weekly therapy for many people. Th drawback for some folks i that the reprocessing of a specific memory or event can take longer than the 30-40 minutes available during a typical weekly session. This means that it takes longer to process through one memory in that format. With this format, memories may still be distressing leading to some possible anxiety, discomfort, and ickiness between sessions.
During an intensive, we’ll already know what memory(s) we are targeting and working through and we won’t have to close down or stop after 40 minutes- we’ll have the time and space to continue reprocessing all at once, typically clearing memories faster bringing faster symptom relief.
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During this first intake/interview session (typically 2 hours long) we will identify what target memories you’d like to focus on, the negative belief associated with it, and how you’re currently experiencing symptoms in the present. We’ll review your workbook together (you will receive this on booking your intake) and walk through some resources/calming and grounding strategies to use in between sessions and during the intensive as needed.
We will develop and get clear on what you want to work on in your intensive and have a plan so that we can jump right in during your 3 hour session.
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I recommend for folks to bring cool beverage with them to their intensive, some favorite snacks and a comfort item. Comfort items can be anything from a soothing pillow, a note from a loved one, a fidget toy or a scented lotion/candle.
I also discuss with clients in our initial session ways to prepare in terms of heir schedule which may include scheduling their intensive at a time where they know they can be well rested, maybe have a little downtime afterward with a support person within access should they need or want some additional comfort.
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The cost of an intensive is more frontloaded and typically is less expensive than weekly therapy sessions focused on trauma healing.
All intensive packages include a 2 hour initial interview/intake session, a personalized workbook, 3 hour processing session and an hour long post intensive follow up session.
Intensive packages start at $1320
Reduced rates may apply for current clients or former intensive clients
Intensives with Allie
Pre-Intensive Initial Interview
Once you and I have decided that EMDR intensives are the right fit for you (during a free 30 minute consult call), you will schedule a 2 hour assessment session. In this initial interview, we'll gather some history, find out specific content/material you’d like to work on and learn a bit more about some of the ways you already cope. We’ll also begin reviewing your workbook together.
Personalized Workbook
You’ll get your own personal workbook (created by me, for you!) and walk through some of the material with me so there aren’t any surprises. The workbook will be yours to keep, though we’ll review it together on your intensive day and I’ll have you send some snippets of your workbook at least 24 hours prior to the intensive so I can get a sense of what’s most relevant for you in this work.
The Intensive
We’ll meet in person at my office located in Kinsman, Ohio (about an hour from Cleveland and Pittsburgh) or if you reside in Ohio or New York virtual EMDR intensives are also available.
Post-Intensive Follow Up Interview
After your intensive is complete, you’ll receive a 50 minute follow up session to review insights and follow up on the experience.
Intensive Packages
1 Day Weekday Intensive
6 total contact hours, assessment session, workbook
How it’s scheduled: 2 hour intake/interview followed by meeting for 3 hours on one weekday, followed by a post intensive 60 minute session
Price $1320
1 Day Weekend Intensive
6 total contact hours, assessment session, workbook
How it's scheduled: 2 hour intake/interview followed by meeting for 3 hours on one weekend day (Saturday or Sunday), followed by a post intensive 60 minute session
Price $1830
3 Day Weekday Intensive
12 total contact hours, assessment session, workbook
How it’s scheduled: 2 hour intake/interview followed by meeting for 3 hours per day for 3 days in one week (Monday-Friday) within the same week, followed by a post intensive 60 minute session.
Price $2640
3 Day Weekend Intensive
12 contact hours, assessment session, workbook
How it’s scheduled: 2 hour intake/interview followed by meeting for 3 hours per day, over one weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), followed by a post intensive 60 minute session.
Price $3660