EMDR Intensive Therapy
Introduction to EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful and effective approach to treating trauma and related mental health issues. Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR therapy has gained widespread recognition for its ability to help individuals process and integrate traumatic memories, thereby reducing their distressing effects. The core idea behind EMDR therapy is that traumatic memories are not fully processed and integrated into the brain, which can lead to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions. By using specific techniques, EMDR therapy helps reprocess these memories, allowing individuals to heal and move forward.
What are EMDR Intensives?
EMDR intensives are a specialised form of treatment that leverages the principles of EMDR therapy to provide a concentrated and accelerated healing experience. Unlike traditional weekly therapy sessions, EMDR intensives involve extended therapy sessions over a short period, often lasting several hours or days. This intensive format allows for a deeper and more immersive therapeutic experience, enabling individuals to make significant progress in a shorter amount of time. By committing to intensive sessions, some clients can address and process traumatic memories more efficiently, leading to faster healing.
Why EMDR Intensive therapy?
Are you keen to make a big shift in your mental health? Maybe you’ve been stuck on a waiting list or have hit a rut in your weekly therapy. Maybe you’ve decided now is the time to free yourself of the weight of trauma. The traditional model of weekly psychotherapy is shifting to meet your needs. Now more than ever, we need flexibility in how we get support.
EMDR intensive sessions are structured therapeutic appointments typically held over a short period, including assessments, personalised workbooks, and follow-up appointments.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful therapeutic approach for addressing trauma and related challenges. This intensive program is designed to accelerate the healing process by providing focused, concentrated EMDR sessions over a short period.
EMDR intensives are personalized treatment plans that allow you to skip the waitlist by giving you faster access to EMDR, and are designed to support your preferred schedule and timeline for your treatment goals.
Our specialist intensive therapists can help with:
Is EMDR intensive right for you?
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Perhaps 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.
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Perhaps you’re needing help —- and a lot of it—- right now, and you don’t want to spend months in the traditional weekly model of therapy treatment to feel better.
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Perhaps you are a current, weekly client who is needing extra, focused support quickly.
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Perhaps you are a new client who just prefers to work intensively.
Intensive formats condense extensive therapeutic processes into a shorter timeframe, resulting in faster access to treatment and accelerated healing.
Intensive isn't right for everyone so if you book with us we will do an assessment session with you to define your goals and check that intensive EMDR if the right therapy for you.
How does EMDR intensive work?
The program consists of three phases: pre-intensive preparation, the intensive sessions, and post-intensive integration. Before we begin your intensive programme you will have a 1 hour assessment session with your therapist to determine if EMDR intensive is right for you. This is charged as a standard therapy appointment. The EMDR intensive programme then looks like this:
Pre-Intensive Preparation:
● Workbook: You will complete a workbook designed to help you identify key areas for focus in the intensive sessions. Please return this workbook two weeks before the intensive start date.
● Pre-Intensive Interview (60 minutes): We will meet one week before the intensive to review your workbook, discuss your goals, and ensure you are fully prepared for the intensive process.
Intensive Sessions:
Usually, we will have 3 sessions of around 3 hours in length over the course of a week. During these EMDR intensive sessions, we will use EMDR techniques to target and reprocess traumatic memories, negative beliefs, and distressing emotions. The intensive format allows for deeper and more efficient processing than traditional weekly therapy.
Post-Intensive Integration
● Record Dream Log: You will keep a record of your dreams to help track your progress and identify any further areas for processing.
● Processing Journal: You will maintain a journal to reflect on your experiences and insights gained during the intensive.
● Post-Intensive Integration Session (60 minutes): Two weeks after the intensive, we will meet to discuss your progress, address any remaining concerns, and plan for continued growth and healing.
Investment:
The total investment for this comprehensive EMDR intensive program is £2920.80. This includes all pre-intensive materials, the pre intensive interview session, three intensive sessions, and the post-intensive integration session. If we are required to travel we will need you to cover those costs.
Sessions may take place online or in our office in central Tunbridge Wells depending on your preference. In many cases a hybrid of the two is beneficial.
Who are we?
Dr Rosie Gilderthorp, Clinical Psychologist and Founder
Our founder, Dr Rosie Gilderthorp, is a Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience in mental health helping people like you to overcome mental health difficulties, connect with their values and thrive personally and professionally.
Rosie experienced severe pregnancy sickness (sometimes called HG) while pregnant with her first child. Her experience of attempting to continue working in the NHS as a Clinical Psychologist, while being offered no support with her own mental health led her to set up this service.
Since then she has been dedicated to helping others going through challenging circumstances to maintain their sense of self and hope so they can thrive at home and at work.
What to Expect During an EMDR Intensive
During an EMDR intensive, you can expect to work closely with a trained EMDR therapist to identify and process traumatic memories and negative beliefs. The intensive format typically involves a combination of EMDR techniques, such as eye movements, tapping, or other forms of bilateral stimulation, to activate the brain’s processing centers. Your therapist will collaborate with you to create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals. Intensive sessions may be conducted in-person or remotely, depending on your preferences and circumstances, providing flexibility and convenience.
What else do I need to know about EMDR intensives?
EMDR Intensives work well for PTSD
Intensive application of trauma-focused therapy seems to be well tolerated in patients with PTSD, enabling faster symptom reduction with similar, or even better, results, while reducing the risk that patients drop out prematurely. 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. Learn more here.
EMDR Intensives can save time and money
The economy is compelling: even compared to other trauma therapy, the intensive format may decrease treatment time, because of time not spent on a) checking in at the beginning of each session, b) addressing current crises and concerns, c) focusing on stabilizing and coping skills that the client won’t need after trauma healing, or d) assisting the client in regaining composure at the end of the session. Learn more here.
Step One
Book your assessment appointment
Step 2
Agree a therapy programme including an intensive week
Step 3
Complete intensive therapy. You will have a follow up with your therapist and a handbook to make sure the changes you make stick.
Evidence-based therapy from HCPC registered psychologists
Research Supporting EMDR Therapy
Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in reducing symptoms of PTSD and improving overall mental health outcomes. Research has shown that intensive EMDR formats can be equally or even more effective than traditional weekly sessions in alleviating problematic symptoms of PTSD. Studies have highlighted the efficacy of intensive EMDR in treating veterans with PTSD, as well as individuals with complex trauma and comorbid conditions. These findings underscore the potential of intensive EMDR therapy to provide rapid and reliable improvement in mental health.
Preparing for an EMDR Intensive
Preparing for an EMDR intensive involves several important steps. First, you should schedule an initial assessment session with a trained EMDR therapist to determine your suitability for the intensive format. During this session, the therapist will work with you to create a personalised treatment plan, identifying specific goals and areas for focus. Prior to the intensive sessions, you may be asked to complete a workbook or engage in other preparatory activities to help you get ready for the intensive therapy. It is crucial to find a qualified and experienced EMDR therapist who can provide guidance and support throughout the intensive process, ensuring a safe and effective therapeutic experience.
Ready to make a change?
Get in touch so we can start working together.
Need urgent support?
We do not provide emergency services. If you or someone you care about requires urgent support with their mental health you should contact the NHS urgent support service here.