Intensive EMDR therapy: A faster path to healing traumatic events

Intensive EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy is a specialised form of psychotherapy designed to accelerate the healing process for individuals who have experienced traumatic events. Unlike traditional EMDR, which is typically conducted in weekly sessions over several months, intensive EMDR therapy involves multiple sessions over a shorter period, often within a few days or weeks.

What is intensive EMDR therapy?

At the core of EMDR therapy is the use of bilateral stimulation, like guided eye movements, to help your brain process and heal from traumatic memories. Intensive EMDR therapy uses this same idea but in a shorter time, helping you deal with distressing memories more quickly.

Intensive EMDR therapy provides a comforting and safe space where you can efficiently address your trauma. Its focused approach requires careful planning with your therapist, making sure you are ready and strong for the process.

While the same therapy is used, condensing all of the sessions into a few days means there are several key differences from traditional weekly therapy. As well as some intriguing potential advantages!

Intensive EMDR vs traditional weekly therapy

One of the primary differences is the pace and frequency of sessions. Intensive EMDR therapy often involves multiple sessions per day, which can lead to faster processing of traumatic memories. It can mean nine to 12 hours of therapy over a long weekend, or having two or three sessions each week for a couple of weeks, depending on what suits the person.

This can be advantageous for clients who wish to address trauma quickly, perhaps due to time constraints or the desire for rapid relief from symptoms. Traditional weekly therapy, on the other hand, provides more time between sessions for clients to process and integrate the work done in therapy. This can be beneficial for those who need a slower pace or who may find the intensive approach overwhelming. The weekly format also allows for ongoing support over a longer period, which can be helpful for clients dealing with complex or multiple traumas.

The intensive format allows for a deeper immersion in the therapeutic process. The approach directs you to minimise all other tasks and potential distractions while you focus on working through a specific problem area. Some people report that they found condensing therapy into a few days helped them to commit to the therapy so that they could direct all of their energy to address the issue.

"...with the intensive, I was like I can go 100% today, you know. I can go 100%… …because I know that I’m going to come back tomorrow, and I can, and I can finish this. But if I was doing it weekly, I would go in and maybe give 30% because I knew that if I did 100%, I would have a really bad week until the next session” - Emma, from: How do clients experience Intensive EMDR for PTSD? A Phenomenological Analysis (Butler 2023).

Intensive EMDR therapy requires a more flexible schedule and a commitment to a concentrated period of therapy, which can be challenging for some clients but rewarding for those seeking rapid progress. Consider that in once-weekly therapy, you will commit a regular time each week to return to the issues you are working on. This may need to be scheduled within your working day, or time away from family. With intensive therapy, that time is taken from a single week or even a weekend!

It is also important to consider the financial difference. Intensive EMDR therapy often requires a higher upfront investment since the sessions are concentrated over a shorter period. Those with a PTSD diagnosis may find that some insurance plans will cover the extra, focused session time that intensive EMDR involves. However, for those without this coverage, you might need to budget for out-of-pocket expenses. It's important to review your insurance policy ahead of time and discuss payment options in your initial consultation.

There is evidence that intensive therapy requires fewer hours in total to achieve the same results as the weekly format. So, although the initial cost is substantial, the fee for intensive therapy may be less in total. For many, completing their therapy quicker also means less time off work or needing additional childcare.

Who should consider intensive EMDR?

The EMDR-intensive approach is particularly suitable for individuals who have experienced single-event traumas. These are incidents that occur suddenly and are often unexpected, such as a drowning experience, a road traffic accident, a sports-related injury, or witnessing a distressing event. Even events that happened long ago can be a suitable focus.

For example, for people participating in water sports, previous bad experiences with water can hold back progression and enjoyment. Such traumas can leave a lasting impact, and the intensive nature of this therapy can help address these issues more quickly than traditional methods.

This approach is ideal for clients who are looking for a faster resolution to their trauma-related symptoms. Unlike the traditional once-weekly therapy sessions, intensive EMDR therapy involves multiple sessions over a shorter period, which can be beneficial for those who want to see quicker progress and relief from symptoms. Those who have a clear understanding of their trauma and are ready to confront it head-on may find the intensive approach more effective. It allows for a deep dive into the traumatic memories and emotions, facilitating a more comprehensive processing and integration of the trauma.

Individuals who have a stable support system and are able to dedicate time to focus on their healing process are also good candidates for intensive EMDR therapy. The concentrated nature of the sessions requires a commitment to the therapeutic process, which can be demanding but ultimately rewarding. It is also more suited to people who have enough freedom in managing their schedule to be able to take off a few days from work or family commitments. Or are able to access support to cover work, childcare or caring needs for the few days in therapy. 

Clients who have previously undergone some form of therapy and are looking to address residual trauma symptoms might also benefit from the intensive EMDR approach. It can serve as a powerful tool to resolve lingering issues that have not been fully addressed in past therapeutic experiences.

The process of intensive EMDR: What to expect

During intensive EMDR therapy, clients will work closely with a trained therapist who will guide them through the EMDR process. This involves identifying the traumatic memory and the negative beliefs associated with it. The therapist will help the client focus on these memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, or tones, which is a core component of EMDR therapy.

The condensed nature of intensive EMDR therapy means that clients may experience a more rapid progression through the stages of EMDR, which include desensitisation, installation of positive beliefs, and body scan. This can lead to quicker relief from the distress associated with traumatic memories, allowing clients to integrate these experiences more swiftly into their lives.

Clients should be prepared for the emotional intensity that can accompany this accelerated form of therapy. Because multiple sessions are conducted in a short period, there may be a heightened emotional response as the brain processes and reprocesses traumatic memories. However, the therapist will provide support and coping strategies to manage these emotions effectively.

Another aspect to expect is the potential for increased fatigue or emotional exhaustion, as the brain is working intensively to process trauma. Clients might find it beneficial to schedule downtime or self-care activities around their therapy sessions to help manage these effects.

Overall, intensive EMDR therapy offers a focused and immersive approach to healing from single-event traumas. Clients can expect a structured and supportive environment where they can work through their traumatic experiences in a concentrated manner, potentially leading to faster recovery and a quicker return to normal life activities.

Preparing for your intensive EMDR sessions

Consult with your therapist to discuss your specific needs and goals for therapy. This conversation will help tailor the intensive EMDR sessions to your particular situation, such as a single-event trauma like a road traffic incident or a sporting injury. Be open about your experiences and any concerns you might have.

Here are some things you can do:

1. Consider your support system

Intensive EMDR therapy can be emotionally demanding, so having friends, family, or a support group to lean on can be beneficial. They can provide emotional support and help you process your experiences outside of therapy. This may be as basic as being available to text or talk online if needed. Think about what you need.

2. Prepare yourself mentally and physically for the intensive nature of the therapy

Unlike traditional weekly sessions, intensive EMDR therapy involves multiple sessions over a short period, which can be exhausting. Make sure to get adequate rest, eat well, and engage in self-care activities to maintain your well-being. This is something your therapist will be discussing with you.

3. Set realistic expectations for the therapy process

While intensive EMDR therapy can be a faster path to healing, it's important to understand that everyone processes trauma differently. Progress may vary, and it's helpful to be patient with yourself as you work through your experiences.

4. Create a comfortable and safe environment for your therapy sessions

Whether the sessions are conducted in person or online, ensure that the setting is free from distractions and conducive to focusing on the therapeutic process. This will help you feel more at ease and open to the therapy. As well as preventing work or family interruptions (as far as is feasible) consider the simple things, like avoiding having parcels delivered for those couple of days. 

Benefits of choosing therapy in an intensive format

One of the key advantages of intensive EMDR therapy is its potential to reduce the overall duration of treatment. For individuals who may find it challenging to commit to long-term therapy, this approach offers a more time-efficient option, enabling them to focus on healing without the extended timeline of traditional weekly sessions.

By engaging in intensive sessions, clients can maintain a heightened focus on their therapeutic goals without the interruptions that can occur between weekly appointments. This continuity can lead to a more cohesive processing of the trauma, potentially resulting in faster emotional relief and recovery.

For those who have experienced a traumatic event like drowning, assault or witnessing a distressing incident, the ability to work through the trauma intensively can reduce the prolonged distress that might otherwise be experienced over weeks or months. This can be especially important for individuals who need to return to their daily lives or responsibilities quickly. It can be especially useful for people who need, or desire, to return to the same environment in which the trauma happened. For example, to get back to work, driving or a meaningful hobby.

It's an option to consider!