What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an effective form of therapy suitable for trauma and anxiety.
Unprocessed traumatic memories often come back in the form of nightmares, flashbacks, unexplained pain or general overwhelm, especially when there are reminders of the event.
In an EMDR session, we stimulate the left and right hemispheres of your brain in quick succession (known as bilateral stimulation) through rapid eye movements or sounds and this helps the brain to process the memories. You can learn more about how it works in this blog post.
How does an EMDR intensive work?
EMDR intensives offer a bespoke treatment plan which allows you faster access to EMDR therapy.
This can boost your progress through your difficulties so you reach your goals more quickly than traditional weekly sessions allow.
Intensives involve extended therapy sessions over a concentrated period of time, carried out either online or in-person.
Research has shown intensive formats of EMDR to be equally, if not more, effective than traditional weekly sessions in reducing problematic symptoms of PTSD.
Why choose an EMDR intensive?
What are the benefits of an intensive programme over weekly sessions?
This is a more flexible way of working that can suit some people’s goals and diaries better than the traditional method of meeting once a week.
During processing, we carefully try to clean up the old trauma wounds so that they can heal, but this can cause people to feel stirred up after a session. With more frequent and longer sessions, you will not be left holding these feelings on your own for long periods whilst we are moving towards processing them.
Often in weekly sessions, we do a check-in and sometimes events have arisen in the week which need our attention but can draw us away from your goals around the traumas. But when we work intensively we can stay focused on the main reason you came to therapy more effectively.
This intensive format of EMDR might suit you if:
✓ You’ve been meaning to get into weekly therapy for a while now, but your schedule has been so hectic and demanding that a weekly therapy appointment feels more overwhelming than supportive.
✓ Something has happened that has shown you that you need help right now, and you don’t want to spend months doing weekly sessions or sitting on a waiting list.
✓ You have a clear space to do therapy work for a short period, such as annual leave, university holidays, maternity leave and would like to undertake a chunk of it then.
✓ You want to do try to do a large amount of therapy work before an approaching deadline like moving house, going on holiday, a reunion, starting a new job etc.
✓ You have been attending counselling, but an issue related to trauma has arisen which your current therapist does not feel trained to manage. You can attend an EMDR intensive as an adjunct to your counselling and then continue your work with your original therapist.
Meet our intensive EMDR therapists
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The EMDR Intensive Programme with
Dr Claire Plumbly is a week-long treatment:
Three half-day EMDR-Intensive sessions in the same week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. These are carried out either online using Zoom, or in-person.
Pre-treatment assessments to identify 1) symptoms you would like to alleviate, 2) your attachment style, 3) your areas of being triggered, 4) memories or experiences are linked to your difficulties.
A customized treatment workbook will be sent to you two weeks before your intensive. This allows you to work on your treatment goals before and after EMDR intensive sessions, and can also be shared with any future therapists for continuity of care
My Rewire Your Anxious Brain Kit, an online course that helps you prepare for the week-long intensive.
Fee for the above: £1590
What else might you need:
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An initial assessment session: to assess the suitability of this approach (one-off 60 minute session: £150)
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Follow up sessions: to support your adaption to positive changes from treatment or to complete any work that couldn’t be finished during the week-long intensive.
Book a free short 15 minute call to discuss this option.
The EMDR Intensive Programme with
Dr Sarah Butler includes:
Delivery by an experienced EMDR therapist and academic researcher of intensive EMDR. Online sessions for your convenience
3 x half day (3 hours per day) intensive sessions running Thursday, Friday and Saturday (bespoke hours and days are available by prior arrangement).
Preparation and symptom management notes, and helpful resources
A bespoke treatment plan integrating elements of EMDR, CBT or Narrative therapy in response to your individual needs and goals.
Interventions that are informed by the latest research.
Fee for the above: £1590
What else might you need:
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An initial, personalised assessment session to understand your needs and to assess suitability (£125). If more than one session of assessment is required we will discuss this in advance.
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Follow up sessions to consolidate what you have gained and identify need for further support.
The EMDR Intensive Programme with
Dr Katherine Peckitt includes:
Two full days, Saturday & Sunday in-person in Taunton, Somerset (accommodation not included)
Attachment and psychosomatic informed EMDR intervention
Can be adjunct to existing therapy intervention and liaison with therapist is advisable
Fee for the above: £1300
What else might you need:
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An initial assessment session: to assess the suitability of this approach (£110 per assessment session, may require 1 to 3 of these)
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Follow up sessions: to support your adaption to positive changes from treatment or to complete any work that couldn’t be finished during the week-long intensive.
Book a free short 15 minute call to discuss this option.
The EMDR Intensive Programme with
Dr Vicky Aldridge includes:
Initial assessment and bespoke treatment planning appointment (At least one week prior to intensive phase)
EMDR Intensive preparation workbook including everything you need to prepare your mind and body for the intensive phase
1 x 1.5hr EMDR session (Friday Evening)
2 x 1.5hr EMDR sessions (Saturday)
2 x 1.5hr EMDR sessions (Sunday)
One follow-up session (one week or more after intensive phase)
Individualised maintaining progress plan
Fee for the above: £1250
What is the research that supports this intensive EMDR format
The intensive application of trauma-focused therapy can enable faster symptom reduction in people with PTSD. It has similar, or even better, results than weekly therapy while reducing the risk that patients drop out of therapy before the end of the treatment. Learn more here and here.
Intensive EMDR treatment is feasible and is indicative of reliable improvement in PTSD symptoms in a very short time frame. Learn more here.
An intensive program using EMDR therapy is a potentially safe and effective treatment alternative for complex PTSD too. Learn more here
EMDR Intensive Enquiry
Get in touch to find out if this therapy option would be a good fit for you