How Intense are EMDR Intensives?
So you’ve tried weekly therapy… You’ve talked, cried, maybe laughed a little. You’ve gained some insight. But there’s still that thing—that old story your body won’t let go of, the loop your brain keeps playing, the anxious hum you can’t quiet, no matter how many mindfulness apps you try.
And now you’re hearing about EMDR intensives—a therapy format where you block off a big chunk of time (sometimes even days!) to work through stuck trauma, without waiting week after week for that elusive breakthrough. Sounds intense? It is. But also… it’s a powerful way to move through what’s been keeping you stuck.
What is an EMDR Intensive?
An EMDR Intensive is a focused, extended therapy session designed to help you move through distressing memories, patterns, or experiences more efficiently than in traditional weekly therapy. Think of it like therapy’s version of a deep-tissue massage: it gets into the tough spots. It’s not always comfortable—but it’s deeply effective. You meet with your therapist for a longer block—usually 3 hours or a full day—and zero in on what’s keeping you stuck. We prep, we process, we integrate. All in a contained, supported space.
You don’t leave wondering, “Wait, what were we even talking about today?”
You leave knowing exactly what you worked on.
EMDR Intensives vs. Weekly Therapy: What's the Difference?
Weekly therapy offers steady rhythm. You show up once a week for about 50 minutes, unpack what's going on, and slowly build insight and change over time. It works well for ongoing support, building trust, and walking through life as it happens. But for certain types of trauma, weekly sessions can feel a bit... start-and-stop. Just as you start to dig into something deep, it’s time to close your notebook, grab your water bottle, and head back into your day.
An EMDR intensive, on the other hand, gives you space. Instead of squeezing the work into a tight window, we stretch out time—usually over several hours or even a full day—so you can settle in, stay in it, and actually move through the hard stuff. There’s no abrupt ending just when things start to open up. Instead, you get momentum, continuity, and a lot more room to breathe.
Weekly therapy is wonderful—it’s how many people build deep, trusting relationships with their therapist and learn to navigate ongoing challenges. But sometimes, weekly sessions just aren’t cutting it. Trauma doesn’t always unravel on a nice, 50-minute schedule. And when you're carrying pain that’s heavy, sticky, or overwhelming, an intensive can give you the container and time to actually move through it.
Special Note for New Moms
Yes, this is for you too. Especially you.
If you're postpartum (whether it’s been 6 weeks or 6 years), and you’re feeling like:
You can’t enjoy motherhood the way you thought you would
You’re carrying birth trauma or NICU trauma
Your old wounds are being poked daily by the tiny human(s) you love most
You’re juggling guilt, rage, confusion, and tenderness on the daily
Then first: you are not broken. This season is hard, and it also tends to wake up the oldest parts of us.
An EMDR intensive can be a powerful way to address your own stuff, so you can parent from a more grounded place. And yes, we can plan the intensive around naps, pumping schedules, and snack breaks. I get it.
Who Is a Good Fit?
You might be a great candidate for an EMDR intensive if:
You have a specific trauma or issue you'd like to resolve
You’ve done therapy before and want a boost or reset
You’re feeling stuck in your healing work and want traction
You have limited availability for ongoing therapy but can carve out time for a focused burst
We’ll do a consultation first to make sure it’s the right fit, and to prep you for the experience. (This isn’t a drop-you-in-the-deep-end situation—I promise.)
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to live in survival mode. You don’t have to keep going back to the same patterns, hoping something will finally click. You can choose to invest in your healing in a way that’s deep, focused, and powerful. If you’re curious about whether an EMDR intensive might be right for you, I’d love to talk.