Transform Your Healing Journey with EMDR Intensives

We understand that healing is a deeply personal journey, and sometimes traditional therapy sessions may not be enough to address the complexities of your experiences. That’s why we offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Intensives—tailored therapeutic sessions designed to facilitate profound healing in a compressed time frame.

What is EMDR?

EMDR is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that helps individuals process and heal from trauma, anxiety, and a variety of emotional distress. By using bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements), EMDR aids in reprocessing distressing memories, allowing you to experience relief and a renewed sense of peace. Our EMDR Intensives provide an immersive experience that can lead to significant breakthroughs in a shorter time period.

What is an EMDR Intensive?

An EMDR intensive treatment is a condensed version of EMDR weekly therapy.  Often with EMDR, clients meet weekly for hour-long sessions with their therapists over a period of months.  In an intensive format, clients meet with their therapist for multiple hours in a row during a brief period of time.  For example, instead of meeting for 12 hours over the course of 12 weeks, a client may engage in an EMDR intensive for 6 hours for two days in a row.  There are multiple benefits to choosing this format over weekly therapy but overall, it helps people find relief faster. 

Why Choose EMDR Intensives?

• Focused Healing: Our intensives allow for concentrated work on your specific challenges, enabling you to dive deeper into your healing process. Because EMDR intensives take places over days instead of weeks, there is less need to use therapy time to address weekly challenges and barriers that interfere with being able to stay focused on therapy goals. 
• Flexible Scheduling: We offer various intensive formats to accommodate your needs, whether it’s a full day or a series of shorter sessions. For many, it may be difficult to find the time every week to attend therapy. Intensives are a good fit for those who can more easily find a few days to commit to treatment, rather than a weekly routine over a long period of time.
• Experienced Guidance: With specialized experience in trauma-informed therapy, Dr. Ertl and Dr. Taylor are dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment for your healing journey.

What to Expect

During your EMDR Intensive, you can expect a warm, compassionate space where you can explore your feelings and experiences. Each session is tailored to your individual needs, and we will work closely together to set goals and create a personalized plan for your healing.

Research Supporting EMDR Intensives

Auren, T. J. B., Klæth, J. R., Jensen, A. G., & Solem, S. (2022). Intensive outpatient treatment for PTSD: an open trial combining prolonged exposure therapy, EMDR, and physical activity. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2022.2128048

• ‌Improving PTSD symptoms. This study demonstrated that the intensive therapy format significantly improved PTSD symptoms, with 55-62% of participants achieving clinically significant changes at post-treatment and three-month follow-up. The intensive format effectively addressed severe PTSD symptoms, with 52-62% of patients losing their PTSD diagnosis at follow-up.
• Reduce depression and anxiety. Patients also reported reductions in depression and anxiety, alongside improved well-being and interpersonal functioning. The effect sizes were notably large, comparable to previous inpatient programs and other intensives treatments.
• High satisfaction. Participants expressed high satisfaction with the treatment, with no dropouts and excellent attendance rates.
• Viable alternative to traditional treatments. Overall, the findings support the feasibility and effectiveness of intensive trauma-focused therapy in outpatient settings, highlighting its potential as a viable alternative to traditional spaced treatments for patients with complex PTSD. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9553174/)

Bongaerts, H., Van Minnen, A., & de Jongh, A. (2017). Intensive EMDR to Treat Patients With Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Series. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 11(2), 84–95. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.11.2.84

• Safe and feasible for severe and complex PTSD. This study investigated the safety, feasibility, and acceptability of intensive application of EMDR therapy in patients with severe PTSD, without prior stabilization. The findings indicated that this intensive approach is safe, as no adverse events were reported, and there were no dropouts during treatment.
• Significant reduction in PTSD symptoms. Additionally, patients experienced a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms, with improvements maintained at follow-up. Overall, the study supports the notion that intensive application EMDR can be an effective treatment option for individuals with severe PTSD, particularly in complex cases. (https://connect.springerpub.com/content/sgremdr/11/2/84)

Van Woudenberg, C., Voorendonk, E. M., Bongaerts, H., Zoet, H. A., Verhagen, M., Lee, C. W., van Minnen, A., & De Jongh, A. (2018). Effectiveness of an intensive treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for severe post-traumatic stress disorder. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2018.1487225

• Effective with PTSD and comorbidies. This study explored the effectiveness of an intensive treatment program of EMDR therapy for patients suffering from several PTSD and multiple comorbidities. Results show a high response rate: over 80% of patients experienced a clinically meaningful response to treatment, and more than 50% no longer met the criteria for PTSD following the intensive program.
• Very low dropout rate. A major benefit of the intensive format is patient retention: the dropout rate was less than 3%, significantly lower than the average 22.2% seen in traditional weekly treatments. Overall, the intensive format is safe and effective and shown to significantly decreased the severity of PTSD symptoms. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6041781/)

Preparing for Your Intensive

To maximize the benefits of your Intensive, consider the following preparation tips:

• Set Clear Goals: Reflect on what you hope to achieve during the intensive. Having specific goals can help guide the sessions and focus your efforts.
• Create a Comfortable Environment: Ensure that you have a safe and comfortable space for your sessions. This can help you feel more at ease and open during the process.
• Practice Self-Care: Engage in self-care activities leading up to your intensive. This might include mindfulness practices, journaling, or spending time in nature to help ground yourself.
• Be Open and Honest: Approach the sessions with an open mind and a willingness to explore your feelings and experiences. Honesty with yourself and your therapist will enhance the effectiveness of the therapy.

Who is a Good Fit for an Intensive?

Intensives are ideal for individuals who are ready to engage deeply in their healing process. Those with prior therapy experience, specific trauma-related goals, and a strong motivation for change often find this format particularly beneficial. Additionally, individuals who can dedicate time to an intensive format will likely experience the most significant outcomes.

What to Expect in Terms of Outcomes and Results

Participants in Intensives can expect enhanced emotional clarity, reduced distress, new coping strategies, and a sense of empowerment. Many leave the intensive feeling hopeful and equipped to navigate their emotional landscape more effectively. Follow-up support is encouraged to help integrate the experiences and maintain progress.

Your Healing Journey Awaits

If you feel ready to embark on this transformative journey, we invite you to reach out. Together, we can explore how an Intensives can support your unique path to healing and growth.