EMDR/trauma intensives compress the therapeutic process into longer, more concentrated sessions. Rather than meeting for weekly 50 minute sessions each week, clients participate in extended sessions that last several hours over the course of 2, 3, or 4 days. These sessions may occur over consecutive days, such as during a long weekend or week-long period, creating an immersive therapeutic environment. The intensive sessions can also occur over time which allows for processing, practicing of skills, and integration of healing.
Sessions can take place online or in person at a therapist’s office. The format remains flexible to accommodate different client needs and circumstances.
At Crossroads, our trauma therapy intensive is called Beyond Trauma. Our intensive incorporates EMDR therapy in addition to other modalities for the most optimized care. To learn more about Beyond Trauma please click here.
How EMDR Intensives Differ from Traditional Therapy
Three key elements distinguish EMDR intensives from weekly therapy. We’ll take a look at each below:
Extended Session Length
Sessions typically last at least 75 minutes, allowing deeper exploration of traumatic material without the time constraints of standard appointments. This extended timeframe allows for a more thorough processing of memories and related issues. There are 4 sessions in a day. We offer 2, 3, or 4 day intensives. The length of your intensive is determined by your therapist who will conduct an assessment to determine what is needed.
Compressed Timeline
Traditional EMDR spreads processing across weeks, with seven-day gaps between sessions. EMDR intensives reduce this interval to 24–48 hours, helping clients maintain therapeutic momentum. This shorter gap can be particularly helpful for those who struggle with transitioning between intense emotional states.
Focused Treatment Goals
The concentrated timeframe naturally narrows therapeutic focus. This helps clients and therapists identify specific, achievable objectives for the intensive period.
Benefits of the Intensive Approach
EMDR intensives offer several advantages over traditional therapy formats:
- Faster Progress: The condensed structure often accelerates healing compared to weekly sessions, as clients remain immersed in the therapeutic process without extended breaks.
- Deeper Processing: Longer sessions allow for a more thorough exploration of traumatic experiences. Clients often report feeling safer to fully engage with difficult material when they know adequate time is available for processing.
- Maintained Focus: Daily responsibilities and distractions have less opportunity to interfere with treatment goals when therapy occurs over a concentrated period rather than being spread across months.
- Schedule Flexibility: For those juggling work, family responsibilities, or travel, an intensive format can be easier to accommodate than committing to weekly appointments over an extended period. Intensives can be scheduled during vacation time or academic breaks.
- Complement to Existing Therapy: EMDR intensives can supplement ongoing therapy with another provider. If you’ve reached a plateau in current treatment or your therapist lacks EMDR training, an intensive can address specific trauma-related obstacles while maintaining your primary therapeutic relationship.
- Access to Specialists: When you want to work with a specific EMDR therapist located far from you, the intensive format makes travel to that provider more practical than weekly trips would be.
Issues Addressed Through EMDR Intensives
EMDR intensives can effectively treat a variety of difficulties. These include phobias, self-sabotaging behaviors, trauma, anxiety, outsized emotional reactions, and more.
Therapists typically spend initial sessions understanding how various experiences contribute to current difficulties. The intensive then targets the memories feeding the main problem. While significant improvement often occurs, complex issues may not be completely resolved in one intensive.
When EMDR Intensives May Not Be Appropriate
The condensed format can be physically and emotionally demanding. Therapists carefully assess suitability before recommending this approach. EMDR intensives may not be appropriate in the following scenarios:
- For those managing a significant unsettling event without adequate time, energy, or support, standard therapy may be more suitable.
- If you are physically unwell, extended sessions can become overwhelming and counterproductive.
- Individuals in crisis may want to consider alternatives. Active self-harm behaviors or suicidal thoughts require stabilization before intensive trauma processing begins. EMDR may become appropriate once you’re no longer in crisis.
- If you tend to experience significant dissociation, your therapist will assess whether additional stabilization work is necessary before proceeding to an intensive format.
These factors don’t necessarily exclude EMDR intensives, but they require careful discussion with your therapist and may indicate the need for preparatory work first.
Finding the Right Treatment
While not suitable for everyone, EMDR intensives provide an effective option for many individuals dealing with trauma, anxiety, and related difficulties. Reach out to learn more.
To learn more about the Beyond Trauma intensive call us at 623-680-3486, text 623-688-5115, or email info@crossroadsfcc.com for more information!
- Contact Crossroads Counseling for a complimentary 20-minute phone consult
- Meet with a trauma therapist
- Start your journey towards healing!
