By Tammy Sutton, LCSW-QS — EMDR Certified Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant specializing in trauma-focused EMDR intensives
If you have been carrying the weight of past trauma, painful memories, or emotional patterns that seem difficult to change, you may have already tried traditional weekly therapy. While weekly sessions can be helpful, some experiences require a more focused and concentrated approach to healing.
An EMDR intensive offers the opportunity to work through difficult experiences in a deeper and more immersive way. Instead of meeting for a single hour each week, intensive sessions allow us to dedicate several hours, or even multiple days, to focused trauma processing and healing.
For many people, this structure creates the space needed to make meaningful progress in a shorter period of time.
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How EMDR intensives are different from traditional therapy
In traditional therapy, sessions are typically limited to 45–60 minutes each week. While this pace can be helpful for ongoing support, it can sometimes slow the process of trauma work.
EMDR intensives provide a different rhythm.
During an intensive, we set aside extended time to focus specifically on the memories, experiences, or patterns that continue to affect your life. This concentrated approach allows us to move more deeply into the healing process without stopping and restarting each week.
Many clients find that this format helps them:
- Make meaningful progress more quickly
- Stay engaged in the healing process
- Address specific memories or experiences in a focused way
- Experience relief from long-standing emotional patterns
In some cases, EMDR intensives can also complement the work clients are already doing with their weekly therapist.
What happens during an EMDR intensive?
Each intensive is carefully structured and tailored to the needs of the individual client.
Intensives typically range from three to six hours per day, and may take place over one to three consecutive days, depending on the goals of the work and the areas we are focusing on.
During an EMDR intensive, EMDR therapy is the primary modality used to process traumatic memories and experiences. When appropriate, other trauma-informed approaches may also be integrated, including:
- Brainspotting
- Sand tray therapy
- Parts work
- Expressive arts approaches
- Attachment-based approaches
These modalities can help deepen the healing process and support clients as they reconnect with parts of themselves that may have been affected by trauma.
Who might benefit from an EMDR intensive?
EMDR intensives may be helpful for individuals who are experiencing:
Many clients who seek intensives are highly motivated to do deeper work and are ready to focus intentionally on their healing process.
Are EMDR intensives right for everyone?
EMDR intensives are not the right fit for every situation. Before scheduling an intensive, we begin with a consultation and assessment to determine whether this format is appropriate and supportive for your needs.
If an intensive is not the best option, we will discuss other pathways that may better support your healing.
The goal is always to ensure that the work is safe, supportive, and aligned with your readiness and goals.
Taking the next step
Healing is possible, and you do not have to navigate that process alone.
If you are curious about whether an EMDR intensive may be a good fit for you, I invite you to reach out for a consultation. Together, we can explore your goals and determine the most supportive path forward.
Frequently asked questions about EMDR intensives
Because of the extensive research and healing effects of EMDR therapy, Intensives can produce faster results than weekly sessions using standard talk-therapy techniques. In many cases, Intensives can enhance work clients are already doing with a weekly therapist by creating space to focus on very specific parts of a client’s history or experience.
If you find yourself feeling hopeless and repeating the same unhealthy behaviors or being tormented by past trauma, EMDR Intensives may be beneficial for you. The powerful healing effect of EMDR therapy, especially combined with Expressive Arts in an Intensive Healing environment, can produce faster results than standard talk-therapy techniques. Healing Immersions can help clients to process information faster and heal quicker.
Intensives can range from 3-6 hour sessions for 1-3 consecutive days, depending on need. The amount of time will be tailored for each client and their goals. During EMDR intensives, depending on Client’s needs, the therapist will integrate sand tray therapy, expressive arts, brainspotting and parts work if working on attachment wounds. Intensives are not for everyone. An assessment will be provided to determine readiness. If you are interested in exploring the idea of an Intensive, please reach out and I can help you decide if an intensive is right for you.
Package A – $150 per hour
EMDR extended services – 2-3 hour sessions of EMDR targeted treatment to process new or additional targets. This can be scheduled weekly or bi-weekly.
Package B – $950.00
Intake – a 90-minute session to establish the objectives of the EMDR Intensive and to prepare for the process. (Scheduled week prior to intensive)
Personalized workbook – The workbook contains assessments and activities designed to prepare for the Intensive. It enables you to track your progress on treatment goals before, during, and after our sessions.
Customized EMDR intensive – The program includes 3 hours of targeted treatment and resourcing activities, tailored to effectively assist clients in processing their targets, fostering healing and relief.
Post-intensive session – a 90-minute session intended to debrief the experience and evaluate progress by reflecting on insights gained, symptoms decreased, and transformations undergone. It provides an opportunity to enhance a completed target. Using EMDR future template, a future scenario is envisioned while strengthening an adaptive belief. It’s a time to plan the next steps for continuous growth and healing. (Scheduled 1-2 weeks after intensive)
6 face-to-face hours
Resources, assessments, & personalized treatment workbook
8-hour program
Package C – All Day Intensive $1200 – 1 day
$2200 2 days consecutive or
$3100 3 days consecutive
1 day intensive includes history taking, grounding and resourcing, processing of disturbances, and debriefing experience. An all-day intensive is an immersive experience integrating EMDR, sand tray, expressive arts, and attachment work as needed.
2- 3 days consecutively allows for more deeper work without interruption, no need for an intake, which allows more time for resourcing, attachment work, and processing of the disturbances and more time to clear out several targets/disturbances. This time is set aside especially for you to take a deep dive without interruptions and on-going distractions which allows for more healing. It is recommended that you continue your self-care by relaxing at the beach, paddle boarding, go to a spa, or take a hike on UWF Nature Trails.
Time – 8:00 am – 3:30 pm (includes 2 – 15-minute breaks and 1 hour lunch)
Insurance does not cover this service and therefore will not be accepted or billed.
A deposit of 50% is required to hold the dates of your Intensive and full payment will be collected on the first day of your Intensive.
By Tammy Sutton, LCSW-QS
In addition to her clinical work, Tammy provides EMDR consultation for clinicians pursuing certification, strengthening their skills, and navigating complex cases.