EMPOWERED EMDR INtensives
Optimised therapy.
EMDR intensive therapy is an optimised, faster paced treatment approach adapted by Alysha as an alternative to the slower progressing weekly therapy sessions that are typically used in psychotherapy. This approach provides an opportunity to commit to achieving faster changes, healing and relief followed by a period of building self-empowerment through a break in sessions (or graduating from therapy! Woo hoo!).
Intensives consist of extended length, focused therapy sessions completed during 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 and relational trauma.
TWO Intensive models on offer
Single incident treatment: Intensive treatment sessions take place in a 3 week period, following initial assessment or over a full day of sessions. Usually 3-8 sessions in total depending on your needs.
Intensive style therapy blocks: Suitable for a range of issues. Attend as many intensive sessions as you need during a 3-4 month period to achieve the collaboratively set therapy goals, followed by a 1-2 month break from sessions (or a wrap up if goals are met! Yay!). There are no set rules on following a ‘weekly’ model. For example, you might prefer to come twice per week for one month or take a day off work to do a block of therapy work.
This approach keeps us focused on change and healing, prioritising therapy for a finite period of time, so you progress faster, whilst incorporating breaks to reconsolidate. Then you can bring a renewed sense of focus and energy to any further blocks of treatment you need after having a break to settle in to the changes you have made.
Benefits of Intensives
The intensive model is appealing if you want to see results as soon as possible. It is my preferred way of doing therapy for many reasons:
Above all else, this approach is intended to get you where you want to be at a faster pace. Whether it is trauma that needs to be processed, a sense of self awaiting discovery, anxiety dominating your life or relational wounds to heal; no one wants to wait to get better. Readiness for processing work, symptom relief and improvements in functioning can all be achieved in a shorter period of time with the intensive approach.
During processing, we carefully try to clean up the old trauma wounds & learnings stuck in your brain & body, but the treatment process can cause people to feel stirred up between sessions. It’s like trying to renovate a house while you are living in it and this can be painful with progress feeling slow. During intensives, you will not be left holding as much of these unprocessed feelings on your own for extended periods as we have time to process more within your sessions.
The disruption to your daily life that comes with therapy is contained to a period of time. Some people adjust their schedule or take time off work to complete a block of intensive sessions, allowing them to give their healing the focus it deserves.
This approach allows for optimal safety and connection during your therapy work, by providing adequate time to settle into a therapy session and co-regulate your nervous system.
Reduced time between sessions saves time on conducting necessary re-assessments.
My model of empowered EMDR therapy intensives is focused on self-empowerment, healing and ultimately equipping you to
continue evolving beyond therapy sessions. You are capable of changing and healing; and no one wants to be in therapy forever.
Often in a traditional weekly format, events have arisen in the week which need our attention but can draw us away from your goals around healing the impact of your traumas and doing deeper work. In contrast, when we work intensively, we can stay focused on the main reason you came to therapy more effectively.
Less time is needed for re-assessments of your issues and recalibration of the therapeutic relationship when we don’t have lengthy gaps between sessions.
One of the main reasons I see people not achieve the results they sought in therapy is because of ‘inadequate dose’. Work commitments, illness and life distractions can easily get in the way of attending the frequency and depth of sessions that your therapist would recommend to reach your goals. Having intensive sessions and a goal post to motivate us prevents dose from slipping below what is adequate.
keen on the idea?
Please reach out to us to register your interest for intensive therapy. Alysha is currently booked out for the first half of 2024 but her waitlist is open for the second half of the year.
