EMDR intensives have become a new favorite for clients and therapists alike. If you’re thinking of scheduling your own intensive (you should!), these are 3 things you can definitely expect.
You will be surprised at how much work you did in only one intensive session.
How amazing is it to have done so much healing work that normally can take months to do? Most clients are mind blown at the progress that they’ve made with only one intensive and are really excited, grateful, and energetic after, which is so fulfilling to witness as an EMDR therapist. However, it is normal to feel tired for at least a few days after your EMDR intensive. This may catch some folks by surprise because of the initial increased energy they feel but imagine completing a marathon in a few hours, you need to rest and recover. I highly suggest carving out time to decompress in your schedule for the first few days following your intensive.
2. There will be breaks to help you integrate the work you’re doing.
The amount of lengths of breaks of an EMDR intensive will vary depending on the format of your session which varies by providers but I do a definite one hour break for a meal or to walk around and stretch. There can be other breaks as needed but usually not for more than 10-15 minutes. So don’t think because it’s an intensive, that you can’t ask for one as you need.
3. Your pre-consultation is to best prepare you for the real deal.
Your EMDR therapist will most likely be meeting with you before your actual intensive in order to get to know you and what your goals are for the intensive, complete a comprehensive treatment plan, and prepare you with personalized resources to ensure that your intensive session is a success.
Keep in mind that EMDR is a highly individualized therapy, and the specifics of what you can expect during an intensive session will depend on your specific needs and goals. This will also depend on your provider and how they format their intensive EMDR sessions.
Are you based in New York and want to schedule an EMDR Intensive for yourself? I provide EMDR intensives for other therapists and small business owners. Check out my EMDR Intensive page here.
Dr. Minerva Guerrero is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Westchester, New York. She is the owner of Mind Matters Mental Health Counseling, offering telehealth services and in person EMDR Intensives. She specializes in treating anxiety and trauma in adults. For more information about her, make sure to visit her website www.mindmattersmhc.com or follow her on Instagram: mindmattersmhc.
