EMDR Intensive Therapy
Online Therapy Throughout California
Looking for a faster way to heal from past trauma? Let me help you.
EMDR intensive therapy might be the breakthrough you need. Unlike traditional weekly sessions, this concentrated approach can help you make months of progress in just a few days.
EMDR intensive therapists create a safe, focused environment where you can process traumatic memories and regulate your nervous system at your own pace. Whether you're dealing with PTSD or feeling stuck in conventional therapy, these extended sessions give you the dedicated time and support needed for deep healing and lasting relief.
Lynn Aguilar, LMFT
What are EMDR Intensives and How Do They Work?
Looking to heal faster? EMDR intensive therapy offers a different approach - instead of going to therapy every week for months or years, you'll spend about 4-6 hours each day for 1-4 days focusing completely on your recovery. Think of it like taking a summer crash course instead of a semester-long class. You're learning and healing the same things, just in a more concentrated way.
During these sessions, EMDR therapy helps your brain process difficult memories and change negative beliefs you have about yourself. The research shows this approach works especially well for people dealing with trauma or PTSD. Your body and mind get the chance to process multiple difficult memories while staying focused on healing. Since there aren't week-long breaks between sessions, you can keep your momentum going and work through things when you feel ready.
Before we start, we'll make sure you're ready for this deep healing work. Many people find that doing this work in a shorter, more focused time helps them make big improvements quickly. Some notice they feel better even after one long session, and the improvements often continue as they process more memories. This focused approach helps people feel more balanced in their bodies and emotions, giving them better control over how they feel.
An Introduction to EMDR Therapy
If you’re new to EMDR, watch the video below to learn about how EMDR works.
About My Approach to EMDR Intensive Therapy
I'm Lynn. I help people heal from trauma, PTSD, and other difficult life experiences using EMDR therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
When you're looking for an EMDR intensive therapist, it's important to find someone who has both the right training and experience. Your therapist should be certified by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and have specific training in trauma work. They should also make you feel safe and comfortable, like a trusted guide who knows the path forward but lets you set the pace.
I have these qualifications - a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and EMDRIA certification. But what really matters is how we work together. My approach is to create a safe, supportive space where you can process difficult memories and calm your nervous system in a way that works best for you.
Is EMDR Intensive Therapy Right for You?
While regular weekly therapy works well for many people, sometimes you need something faster. EMDR intensives could be a good choice if you want to work through trauma, PTSD, or other tough experiences more quickly.
Think of it like cleaning out a closet - you could spend an hour each weekend for months, or set aside a full weekend to get it done. The intensive format gives you focused time to work through difficult memories in a safe, supportive space.
EMDR intensive therapy can be particularly helpful for:
Individuals experiencing persistent feelings of being stuck in life, work, and in relationships.
Those with PTSD or complex trauma
Those struggling with trauma, anxiety, or recurring negative patterns
People who have limited access to ongoing EMDR therapy (e.g., due to travel or availability)
People with unresolved trauma
Individuals preparing for major life transitions or dealing with high-stress situations
Those feeling a lack of progress in traditional therapy
Making Healing More Accessible for Busy Schedules
EMDR intensives support the busy parent with kids doing virtual learning, the working professional who has even more on their plate since COVID, or the client who needs help now.
Whatever the reason that weekly sessions just won’t work for you, EMDR intensives are available to support you during times you need help the most.
I offer EMDR intensives for my current clients who may need extra support, as well as new clients who prefer to work intensively.
EMDR intensives are personalized treatment plans that allow you to skip the waitlist by giving you faster access to select spots, and are designed to support your preferred schedule and timeline for your treatment goals. This format proves particularly valuable for:
Busy professionals seeking trauma resolution
Parents with demanding schedules
Those traveling for intensive trauma treatment
Individuals seeking rapid breakthrough
People with acute healing needs
Make Quick Progress with with EMDR Intensive Therapy
Looking to heal faster? EMDR intensive therapy can help you make progress in days that might otherwise take months. Instead of coming in for an hour each week, you'll spend 4-6 hours each day working through difficult memories and experiences. This approach works especially well for people dealing with trauma or PTSD.
Think of it like learning a new language - you might learn more in a two-week immersion program than you would in months of weekly classes. During intensive therapy, your body and mind get the chance to process multiple difficult memories while staying focused on healing. Since there aren't week-long breaks between sessions, you can keep your momentum going and work through things when you feel ready. This focused approach helps many people feel better quickly and gain more control over their emotions.
Before we start, we'll make sure you're ready for this deep healing work. Many people notice they feel better even after one long session, and the improvements often continue as they process more memories.
Cost-Effective in the Long Run
Yes, EMDR intensives might cost more upfront than regular therapy. But think of it this way - you might get the same results in a few days that could take months of weekly sessions to achieve. This could actually save you money in the long run.
It's important to work with someone who really knows what they're doing with EMDR intensives. Having an experienced therapist guide you through this focused work helps make sure you get the most out of your time and money.
Taking the Next Step
Ready to explore how EMDR intensive therapy can support your healing journey?
Whether you're dealing with PTSD, processing trauma, seeking nervous system regulation, or working through traumatic memories, EMDR intensives offer a powerful path forward.
The first step is meeting together to talk about whether intensive EMDR therapy is right for you. During this meeting, we'll discuss your past difficult experiences, see how your body and mind are currently coping, and make a plan that fits your needs. We'll work together to identify which memories are causing you the most trouble and what you hope to achieve through therapy.
[Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about how EMDR intensive therapy can help you achieve lasting healing and peace.]
Your EMDR Intensive Therapy Process:
Pre-Consultation Interview
to assess for candidacy, as well as target unpleasant beliefs, body sensations, past trauma, emotions, or images from which you are seeking relief.
Personalized Treatment Workbook
which allows you to work on your treatment goals before, during, and after our EMDR intensive sessions.
A Customized Treatment Program
with targeted treatment goals.
Post-Treatment Interview
to assess and support your adaptation to positive changes from treatment.
I offer EMDR intensives in three formats
These personalized treatment plans are designed to support your preferred schedule and timeline for accomplishing your treatment goals.
Mini Intensive
1.5 Days
Tackle that first hill
Moderate Intensive
2 or 3 days
Your path to healing
Comprehensive Intensive
4 days
Conquer that mountain
Frequently Asked Questions
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EMDR intensives allow the opportunity to progress through your symptoms in a more succinct and focused way without the interruption of the 50-minute session. An intensive format may decrease overall treatment time because the 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 healing or d) assisting the client in regaining composure at the end of the session.
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Yes. Perhaps you have a felt sense that something profound has yet to change, but you're not quite sure how to shift all the way into a new experience of yourself with your current therapist. Maybe you now cognitively understand new things, yet your body is still confused, so you're curious about how adjunct EMDR intensive therapy can help. We will identify what format is best for you during your initial consultation.
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An EMDR intensive offers a multitude of resources and can help to either increase performance and confidence, or significantly decrease the devastating effects of trauma (e.g. negative cognitions, disturbing emotions and body sensations). While significant healing can occur in any length intensive, complex PTSD deserves more treatment time than a single incident trauma may require. Each client is different and the length of the intensive will be discussed during your initial consultation.
Get quick relief