Part 1: What Is an EMDR Intensive—and Can It Help Me?

This post is Part 1 of my EMDR Intensive Journey series. Over the next 11 posts, I’ll walk you through every stage of the process—from deciding if you’re ready, to what to expect during your sessions, to how to take care of yourself afterward.

EMDR intensives (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) are extended therapy sessions designed to help you process trauma, grief, anxiety, burnout, and stuck patterns more efficiently.

Instead of spreading the work over months, intensives give us the space to go deeper in a shorter period of time—while still honoring your pace, boundaries, and readiness.

A standard 50-minute therapy session often means:

• ~10 minutes checking in

• ~10 minutes wrapping up

• Leaving only about 30 minutes for the core healing work

When your nervous system is trying to approach sensitive material, that stop-and-start rhythm can feel like sprinting toward a finish line you’re not ready to cross. Intensives remove that rush and give you the time to open, work through, and settle without feeling pressed against the clock.

“Three hours? Six hours? Am I ready for that?”

It’s a common question—and a good one. Below are a few reflections that can help you decide if an EMDR intensive is right for you:

1. Are you in active crisis?

Intensive trauma therapy isn’t usually the best fit during a severe crisis—such as overwhelming emotional dysregulation, immediate safety concerns, or severe destabilization. In that case, the priority is stability and safety first. Once you feel more grounded, we can revisit whether intensive work is the right next step.

2. Have you done some prior therapy or personal work?

Many clients who choose EMDR intensives have already spent time in therapy or personal growth work. They may understand their patterns but still feel stuck in shifting them. An intensive can help bridge the gap between insight and lasting change.

3. Are you feeling stuck despite your best efforts?

If you’ve caught yourself thinking,

“I know where this comes from, but I still feel stuck,”
or
“I keep repeating the same patterns even though I know better,”
an intensive may provide the focused attention and momentum you need to finally move forward.

4. Do you have support outside of therapy?

A supportive friend, family member, or partner can make a big difference after an intensive. Even one or two trusted people is enough—what matters most is feeling like you’re not doing this alone.

5. Are you ready to be curious and open?

You don’t need to have all the answers. What matters most is a willingness to explore, feel, and gently challenge old patterns—with collaboration and care.

If you’re thinking an EMDR intensive might be the right next step in your healing journey, the next part of this series will guide you through how to find an EMDR intensive therapist who’s the right fit for you.

📅 Stay tuned for Part 2 next week!

I’m an EMDR therapist in Farmington, CT, offering EMDR intensives for clients across Connecticut and the New England area who want focused, efficient support for deep healing. If you’re ready to explore whether an EMDR intensive could be the right fit for your healing, I’d be honored to help you take the next step:
📅 Book a free consultation to learn more!