What to Expect in an EMDR Intensive

EMDR Intensives are longer therapy sessions designed to help you process difficult or traumatic experiences in a focused, supportive way. The work is carefully paced to support safety, regulation, and integration.

Before Your Intensive

Before the session, you will:

  • Complete intake forms and consent paperwork

  • Share background information and therapy goals

  • Learn basic grounding or calming tools

  • Identify possible memories or experiences to work on

This preparation helps us use your session time effectively.

1. Getting Oriented & Feeling Safe

We’ll begin by:

  • Reviewing how EMDR works and what to expect

  • Checking in on how you’re feeling that day

  • Reviewing calming strategies and a stop signal

  • Making sure you feel ready and supported to begin

Your comfort and sense of safety guide the pace of the session.

2. Choosing What to Work On

Together, we will:

  • Identify a memory or experience to focus on

  • Explore thoughts, emotions, and body sensations connected to it

  • Clarify what you would like to believe about yourself instead

You are always in control of what we work on.

3. Processing with EMDR

During this part:

  • You’ll use bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping)

  • Your brain will naturally process the experience at its own pace

  • The therapist will check in regularly and adjust as needed

  • Breaks are included to support regulation

You do not need to describe everything in detail for EMDR to be effective.

4. Strengthening Positive Shifts

As distress decreases, we will:

  • Strengthen more helpful beliefs about yourself

  • Check for any remaining tension in the body

  • Support a sense of relief, clarity, or calm

5. Closing & Grounding

We’ll end by:

  • Helping your body and nervous system settle

  • Making sure you feel present and oriented

  • Reviewing what to expect after the session

  • Creating a plan for self-care and support

You will not leave the session feeling overwhelmed or uncontained.

After the Intensive

  • You may notice continued emotional or physical processing for a few days

  • Rest, hydration, and gentle self-care are encouraged

  • Follow-up recommendations or coordination with ongoing therapy may be discussed


Important Note:
 EMDR Intensives are not crisis sessions. They are designed for clients who have a basic level of emotional stability and support in place.