EMDR Intensive Therapy

WITH CERTIFIED EMDR THERAPIST

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“I know it in my head, but I don’t believe it in my heart.”

Sometimes telling yourself it’s not your fault or that you don’t need to be afraid anymore isn’t enough. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can help you connect what you know and how you feel.

When overwhelming events occur, they don’t get stored in our memory correctly and get “stuck”. This causes us to re-experience the events in forms of flashbacks, unwanted memories and overwhelming emotions.  It also affects how we think and feel about ourselves and others.  EMDR helps to access those events to process and store the memories correctly so they no longer take control of your life.

EMDR has helped my clients process:

  • Feeling not good enough

  • Sexual trauma

  • Intimate Partner Violence

  • Accidents (car, workplace)

  • Natural disasters

  • Painful childhood experiences

  • Divorce

  • Relationship disappointments

  • Phobias

  • Medical trauma

  • Experiences of having a neurodivergent mind in a neurotypical world

  • Upsetting thoughts and images

  • Feelings of unsafety and constant danger

  • Negative beliefs that are blocking them from moving forward

  • Recent traumatic events (to prevent PTSD from developing)

  • Anxiety

  • PTSD symptoms

  • Religious trauma

Why I Offer EMDR Intensives

Intensives are an exciting newer model of treatment that allows space to really dive into the deeper work. It provides therapy at an accelerated pace. 

I have been using EMDR during one hour individual sessions for years in my practice, but often found that once we got started and entered the deeper work, it was time to end. Or we may have agreed to do an EMDR session, but something more pressing came up in everyday life that needed attention. This really prolongs the treatment that I know can provide significant healing, causing my clients to continue to hold on to painful experiences in between sessions.  

The intensive model sets aside dedicated time to really get to the root of the challenges you’re facing. Knowing there is sufficient time to address the deeper work puts less pressure on trying to fit everything in during an hourly session. By setting aside longer, focused blocks of time, my clients have expressed feeling safer, calmer and more open to addressing the deeper issues. It allows for greater depth and transformative experience.  

Research has shown that the end results from EMDR therapy are the same whether done in individual weekly sessions or in intensive sessions, they just get there much quicker in the intensive model. The intensive format may decrease treatment time because of time not spent on checking in at the beginning of each session, addressing current crises and concerns and grounding at the end of each session. What may take months to process in weekly sessions can often be addressed in one half day session.

  • If you don’t have time to commit to weekly therapy

  • You want to address a specific traumatic event

  • You have an ongoing talk therapist but may be stuck with specific beliefs or memories 

  • You want to experience deep therapeutic work that can be transformative

  • You have had very painful experiences that are still impacting you today

  • You have done EMDR before and found it helpful for your healing and wellbeing

  • You want to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for a big life event like a wedding, becoming a parent, a medical procedure, starting a new job, or moving to a new city

Who Intensives Are Good For

Intensive Therapy

Options and Investment

While the initial cost of intensive therapy may be higher than weekly therapy, it offers a more efficient and focused approach. It helps people journey deeper and feel better faster.

One half-day intensive session can provide the benefits equivalent to 3-4 months of weekly hour-long sessions, saving you time, money, and energy.  

Retreat-Style Intensives

  • Meet for 1-3 days of Intensive EMDR and/or IFS Therapy over 1-3 weeks. Scheduling can be customized to meet your specific needs.

    Includes:

    • 120-minute pre-interview before intensive 

    • 3 hours for each day of intensive work

    • 60-minute post-interview for follow up

    • Personalized workbook

    Good fit for those who might be traveling from farther away and/or are looking for accelerated, focused relief.

    Retreat intensives are available in person in New Jersey and Maine.

  • Retreat-Style Intensives start at $1,750 (6-hour program) and are customized based on individual needs.

    A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to book a retreat-style intensive.

Bi-Weekly Intensives

    • 90 minute session every 2 weeks

    • A good fit for those who may want more regular structure to our work and/or whom 3-hour sessions may feel too long or be harder to fit into a schedule

  • $375/90 minute session

Monthly Intensives

    • Half day (3 hour) sessions once a month

    • Includes personalized workbook

    • A good fit for those who have a busy schedule and/or are seeing a talk therapist for day-to-day stressors and support

  • $750/month

Learn more about EMDR

Learn More

  • Every individual’s experience with trauma is unique. For single-incident trauma, such as a car accident, processing can often be effectively addressed in a 1-2 day intensive. For longer-term, attachment, and/or relational trauma, a more extended approach may be needed.

    After an initial intake, we will create a customized intensive schedule tailored to your specific needs. I often recommend starting with a foundational 2-3 day intensive and then discussing the best path forward based on your progress and needs.

  • Not necessarily. As humans, we have all experienced things that have scared, stressed or overwhelmed us. Essentially, that is what trauma is. However, many times people don’t come to therapy with a specific “trauma” in mind - but rather feelings of being stuck, exhausted, or discouraged. I can help you dig deeper and understand what’s beneath the surface when it comes to these feelings. 

  • Part of EMDR is allowing yourself to feel a bit of the painful emotions associated with a traumatic experience. Before we do this, we practice emotional regulation and self care. We are able to take breaks and not push past your emotional limits. We can take as much time as we need to be gentle in our approach to these sensitive topics.

  • You can talk about it as little or as much as you want. EMDR Therapy is still effective even if you don’t tell your therapist every detail. Some details feel especially painful or embarrassing. You can decide what to share and what to keep private.  EMDR Therapy does not require you to talk or relive every second of the worst moment of your life.

  • Yes! This is called adjunctive EMDR therapy and I love this model of treatment. With your permission, your primary therapist and I can collaborate to create your treatment goals. This allows you to keep your relationship with your therapist while meeting with me for more focused, specific treatment.

  • If you have out of network benefits, insurance may be able to cover a percentage of intensive services. However, because most insurance companies use the traditional “therapy hour” model, full coverage for intensive work can be limited.

    Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can be used to pay for intensives.

  • Sessions are held either in my office in Highland Park, NJ or online if you are in New Jersey or Maine at the time of our sessions.

    In person EMDR intensives in Maine may be available upon request.

  • I require 48-hour notice to cancel or reschedule 60-90 minute appointments. 

    I require a 1 week notice to cancel or reschedule 120-180 minute intensive sessions.

    For retreat-style intensives, a 50% deposit is required at the time of booking. This deposit is nonrefundable. The remaining balance is due on Day 1 of the Intensive.

FAQs about Intensive Therapy

 
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