My Journey & Learnings from Offering EMDR Intensives

I just attended TICTI’s Inaugural Conference on Trauma Therapy Intensives over the weekend, and I’m brimming with excitement! One powerful metaphor that emerged from multiple speakers was the comparison of trauma therapy intensives to surgery—and I couldn’t agree more.

My journey into intensive work began by chance about two years ago. A client expressed that engaging in EMDR for two one-hour sessions each week felt exhausting and asked if we could switch to one two-hour session instead. We did just that, and three two-hour sessions later, we cleared her trauma. After a future template session, we wrapped up therapy, having met all her goals. As a clinician, I was both amazed and energized at the efficiency of the work & that I could utilize my entire EMDR skill set in those longer sessions—something that often felt elusive in the standard weekly format.

Fast forward two years, and working intensively remains my favorite approach. This method has significantly boosted my confidence as a clinician. In a single intensive session, I may incorporate the pre-verbal trauma protocol, parts work, generational trauma unburdening, polyvagal theory, and tools that enhance memory reconsolidation. We frequently process clusters of traumatic events to completion, or at the very least, observe immense insight & a remarkable shift in the client’s nervous system. I’ve learned to trust my clinical instincts and recognize when to integrate specific interventions into the therapeutic flow.

I’ve also experienced profound shifts in my own nervous system since transitioning to intensive work. Many of my protective parts relax when I engage with one nervous system over three hours instead of managing three different clients for one hour each. My timekeeper and urgency-driven parts take a backseat, allowing my self-energy to be present, connected, curious, and attuned to the client in front of me.

Lately, I’ve received feedback from my consultees about a common gap in available resources. While there are numerous courses focused on restructuring business models to offer intensives, there are fewer resources addressing the clinical considerations for delivering EMDR in an intensive format.

Here are some important questions to consider:

• What types of clients are suitable for intensive work?

• How should I conduct an intake for an intensive session?

• How do I effectively plan for three hours or three days of work with a single client?

• What strategies can I employ if a client becomes very sleepy after an hour of bilateral stimulation (BLS)?

• How can I support clients who may feel overwhelmed a few days after an intensive session?

Intensive therapy is not merely a business model; it requires a specific clinical skill set that demands careful, efficient, and thorough consideration—much like a surgeon approaches a complex operation. Aftercare, attachment dynamics, and the clinician's capacity to sit with a client’s discomfort and somatic shifts are all critical components of this work.

I write this with immense hope for my consultees and colleagues who are venturing into intensive work, fully aware of how transformative this approach can be for both clients and practitioners. I also acknowledge the need for more clinical support spaces as we navigate this different format and integrate more tools.

Starting in December, I will be offering monthly drop-in Intensive EMDR Consultation groups to support you on your journey. I’m excited to help you deepen your practice and enrich your clinical skills as you explore this impactful method!