In person in Bankers Hill, San Diego
EMDR Intensives
Focused trauma work in longer, concentrated sessions
What an EMDR intensive is
An EMDR intensive is a block of therapy set aside for one clear goal. Instead of meeting for 55 minutes a week, we work in longer sessions over a day or a few days, with preparation before and integration afterwards.
The difference isn't only the length of the session. An intensive is planned differently from the start: we agree what we're working on, prepare your nervous system for the work, sequence the memories we'll process, and plan how you'll be supported once the intensive ends.
Why some people choose an intensive
In weekly therapy, much of a session can go to settling in, catching up on the week, and closing down in time to return to your day. An intensive removes those stops and starts, so the processing can keep going while you're in it.
People often choose an intensive when they want to focus on a specific event or period of their life, when they're traveling to San Diego or have limited time, or when weekly therapy has helped but one area still feels stuck.
Who intensives suit, and who they don't
An intensive tends to work well when there's a focused piece of work to do, when your day-to-day life is reasonably stable, and when you have people and routines around you that can support you afterwards.
It isn't the right starting place for everyone. If you're in crisis, managing significant dissociation, or in an unstable living situation, ongoing weekly therapy is the safer and more effective path, and I'll tell you honestly if that's what I think would serve you better.
An intensive is also not a quick fix. It's a concentrated piece of work with a clear goal, and the integration afterwards matters as much as the processing itself.
What the process looks like
-
Step 1: A free 15-minute consultation
We talk about what's bringing you in and whether an intensive is a good fit.
-
Step 2: An assessment and preparation session
We map out your history, agree on the target for the intensive, and build the grounding and regulation skills you'll use during it.
-
Step 3: The intensive itself
Longer blocks of EMDR processing, with breaks built in, either in one day or across consecutive days.
-
Step 4: Integration
A follow-up session to consolidate what shifted, look at what comes next, and decide together whether any further work would help.
You'll find practical ways to prepare on my Getting Ready for EMDR page.
Weekly sessions or an intensive?
Both use the same EMDR approach. The difference is how the time is arranged.
| Format | Time with me | Pace | Often suits | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly sessions | 55 minutes, usually once a week | Steady, over weeks and months | Ongoing work, and histories that need time and a steady relationship | $225 per session |
| Extended session | 120 minutes | One longer sitting | Trying a longer format, or one contained memory | $500 |
| Half-day intensive | 3 hours of processing, plus a preparation and an integration session | One focused morning or afternoon | A specific event or period of your life you want focused time on | $1,100 |
| Full-day intensive | 6 hours across one or two days, plus a preparation and an integration session | One or two focused days, with breaks | A larger piece of work, limited time, or travelling to San Diego | $1,900 |
Formats and fees
Every intensive is planned around you, so we'll settle the format together in your consultation.
120 minutes
Extended session
A single extended EMDR session. A good way to try a longer format, or to work on one contained memory.
3 hours of processing
Half-day intensive
Includes a preparation session beforehand and an integration session afterwards.
6 hours across one or two days
Full-day intensive
Includes a preparation session beforehand and an integration session afterwards, with breaks throughout.
Intensives are private pay. Claims can be submitted to your insurance through Thrizer for potential out-of-network reimbursement, and HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Is an intensive right for you?
The best way to find out is to talk it through. You're welcome to schedule a free 15-minute consultation, and if an intensive isn't the right fit I'll say so and we'll look at what is.