What Is an EMDR Intensive?

And how do they work?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-established therapy for trauma, anxiety, and emotional difficulties. If you’re new to EMDR, you may want to start with What Is EMDR Therapy? before exploring this intensive option.

In recent years, a more immersive format - the EMDR Intensive - has become increasingly popular. It offers the same evidence-based approach as standard EMDR, but in a faster, more focused way.

What Exactly Is an EMDR Intensive?

Traditional EMDR happens in 60–90 minute sessions once a week. An EMDR Intensive condenses this work into longer blocks - usually half-day or full-day sessions -over a few days or weekend. This allows you to achieve weeks or months worth of therapy gains in a shorter timeframe.

Intensives can take place:

• In person or online

• Across a weekend, holiday week, or consecutive days

• Sometimes in a retreat-style setting
  

How EMDR Intensives Work

Some key features set intensives apart from weekly EMDR therapy:

1. Extended sessions - sessions are usually arranged for between 2–4 hours at a time, allowing deeper processing without interruption. We pause for comfort breaks to stretch legs or have snacks as needed.

2. A condensed schedule – sessions are close together (often 24–48 hours apart) to maintain momentum and reduce the likelihood that other life events will interrupt our focus. The therapist will often recommend gentle exercises and keeping notes of any thoughts arising to support our integration of the positive changes.

3. Clearly defined goals – during your assessment, you are your therapist get clear, specific problem areas to be the focus of the intensive.
   

Together, these create a powerful space for accelerated recovery which feels containing. Even if you're working on painful memories it often feels like a relief to know that you only have to wait a short time before the next session when you should be able to complete the trauma processing work you've begun.

Benefits of EMDR Intensives

• Faster progress – make meaningful changes in days rather than months.

• Less disruption – no long gaps between sessions pulling you back into everyday stress which you then feel like you need to firefight.

• Flexibility – this format is ideal if you travel, juggle work and family, or prefer to use annual leave because you only need to carve out 3-5 days rather than find a weekly slot. For example we have carried out intensives with a parent before they return from maternity leave; someone off sick before their sick leave ends; someone who was made redundant before their new job starts - all of these people had a short time frame before going back to work full time which the intensive worked perfectly for.

• Adjunct to existing therapy – intensives can “unstick” long-term therapy without replacing your current therapist. We can work alongside a preexisting therapist to offer summaries and recommendations for you to integrate into longer term therapy work with them if you wish.

  
  

What Can Intensives Help With?

• Burnout patterns (perfectionism, people-pleasing, boundary difficulties)

• Phobias or fears

• Self-sabotaging patterns

• Overwhelming guilt, shame, or anger

• Single-event traumas (accident, assault, medical emergency)

• Childhood or complex trauma (bullying, toxic boss, work-place traumas, neglect, abuse)

• Fear of future events (public speaking, performance, interviews)

  
  

Your therapist will first map out how your difficulties fit together (a “formulation”) and then target the most relevant memories for change.

What Does the Evidence Say?

Research shows EMDR Intensives can be as effective, or sometimes more effective, than weekly therapy:

• Similar or better outcomes for PTSD and complex PTSD

• Lower drop-out rates (people are more likely to complete the program because the intensive format feels more manageable)

• This study shows that clients report positive experiences of EMDR intensives - feeling that the short time-frame feels like safe container, and getting 'wow' moments during this too.

  
  

When an Intensive May Not Be Suitable

Because this therapy work is concentrated, therapists carefully assess readiness. It may not be the right time if you are:

• In the midst of a major life upheaval, especially if you're without support. For example if you're moving house we'd advice waiting until you have a clear week following this.

• Physically unwell or easily fatigued

• In active crisis with self-harm or suicidal thoughts

• Prone to severe dissociation without stabilisation skills already in place

In these cases, preparation or alternative therapy may be needed first which your therapist can also offer you.

Is an EMDR Intensive Right for You?

Hold in mind that faster progress from an EMDR intensive does not mean rushed. We achieve good results because our EMDR intensive programs have been curated so that you and your therapist can get to the underlying problems deeply and quickly. Here at Plum Psychology, our specialists design EMDR Intensives around your personal difficulties and your goals. If you’re ready for focused, immersive therapy that helps you move forward more quickly, get in touch to have a chat.

👉 Explore our therapist's EMDR Intensive options here or fill in an enquiry form now to get the ball rolling.

⚠️ If you feel unsafe or are in immediate crisis, please contact your GP, dial 999 (UK), or call the Samaritans (116 123).

Author: Dr Claire Plumbly is a clinical psychologist, EMDR Consultant and founder of Plum Psychology. She has over 20 years experience working in mental health.

Is an EMDR worth it?