EMDR Intensives vs. Weekly Therapy: What If You Gave Yourself More Time to Heal?
Because understanding what hurt you and finally moving differently are two different things.
Girl, How Long Are We Going to Keep Talking About the Same Thing?
You know the pattern. You’ve talked about it, journaled about it, prayed about it, and maybe even spent months unpacking it in therapy.
Yet somehow, the same situations still trigger you. The same doubts creep in. You’re still overthinking, overgiving, or carrying responsibilities that were never yours to begin with.
And just when you’re getting to the good stuff in therapy, opening up, or things are starting to come together, your therapist says, “Well, we’re almost out of time.” Until you come back again next week, barring any life crisis or holidays, we start again.
Sound familiar?
If I can be honest, sometimes you don’t need another week of talking around the issue. You need more time to actually work through it.
And if you’re anything like me, you appreciate getting to the heart of things. Not rushing the process, but getting intentional about what really needs your attention instead of getting lost in the background noise.
That’s where EMDR intensives come in.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapy approach that helps your brain process distressing experiences so they no longer carry the same emotional intensity.
EMDR intensives give you dedicated time to work on specific experiences, beliefs, or emotional patterns without having to squeeze everything into a traditional weekly appointment. This time lets your nervous system stay in the therapeutic work without that weekly reset, life distractions, procrastination, and avoidance. It’s room to finally focus on you.
ASK ME DIRECTLY ABOUT AN EMDR INTENSIVE
EMDR Intensives vs. Weekly Therapy: What’s the Difference?
Weekly EMDR therapy and EMDR intensives both offer opportunities for meaningful healing. The difference is how we use our time together.
Weekly therapy gives you consistent support over time. You get to explore what’s happening in your life, build coping skills, and work through experiences at a gradual pace.
EMDR intensives offer longer, focused sessions where we intentionally set aside time for the work you’ve been wanting to do. The therapy happens in a condensed period of time, like a 3-hour block; typically, these treatments occur on a Friday or weekend. It’s an opportunity to address an old hurt, a belief that’s been holding you back, a feeling, or a trigger that keeps showing up in your life. One or two intensive sessions can match months of traditional weekly therapy.
Neither approach is better for everyone. It’s about finding what fits your life and your needs.
What If You Didn’t Have to Keep Carrying It All?
Think about the things you’ve learned to live with.
The need to be everything for everybody. The voice that tells you you’re not doing enough. The hurt you’ve tucked away because life kept moving. The triggers that catch you off guard, even when you thought you were past all of that.
Imagine creating space to work through those experiences instead of continually working around them.
Not because an intensive can magically erase your past or guarantee a faster healing journey, but because you deserve uninterrupted time to explore what’s been weighing on you.
“Sometimes what we need isn’t another thing on our schedule. It’s dedicated space to finally focus on ourselves.”
— Amanda Fludd, LCSW-R
An intensive can help you loosen the grip of old experiences, challenge beliefs you’ve carried for years, and start responding to life from a different place.
Less feeling like you’re constantly bracing for something.
More room to breathe, make choices, and show up as the woman you’re becoming.
And that is worth making time for.
So, What Actually Happens During an EMDR Intensive?
First, we’re not throwing you into hours of difficult memories and hoping for the best.
There’s intention and care behind the process.
- Consultation. We start with a conversation to see whether an intensive is right for you.
- Preparation. We prepare together, identify what you want to focus on, and choose a time when you can be fully present.
- Your intensive. We practice grounding techniques, get comfortable with EMDR’s eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, and work toward your agreed-upon goals, with breaks along the way.
- Closing and next steps. We help you feel grounded, reflect on the experience, and plan your next steps.
This is your time. We honor your pace, your needs, and your readiness throughout the process.
Sometimes the Work Is Worth Taking a Chance On
“I was so scared to do it.”
— Sandra Bullock, speaking about EMDR therapy on Red Table Talk
Even Sandra Bullock has spoken about being nervous to try EMDR.
And that makes sense. The idea of revisiting difficult experiences can feel intimidating, especially when you’ve spent years figuring out how to keep going despite them.
You don’t have to have everything figured out before beginning. You just have to be open to exploring what support could look like.
And sometimes, hearing from someone who has experienced EMDR themselves makes all the difference.
“Amanda Fludd literally helped me heal. I am so grateful. It was beautiful and profound.”
— Sara Jane Wellock, Google review of Kensho Psychotherapy Services
Healing is deeply personal. No two people experience it exactly the same way, but stories like these remind us that change is possible.
Three Questions You Might Be Wondering About EMDR Intensives
1. Is an EMDR intensive worth it if I’ve already tried therapy?
It can be. Especially if you’ve gained insight into your experiences but still feel stuck in the same emotional reactions.
EMDR works differently from traditional talk therapy by helping you process distressing experiences and their emotional impact. An intensive provides a longer, focused treatment window.
It’s not a guarantee of faster results, but it may be another way to approach work you feel ready to address.
2. Can I do an EMDR intensive if I already have a therapist?
Absolutely worth exploring! You may be able to continue seeing your regular therapist while working with an EMDR clinician on a particular concern.
With your permission, we can discuss how the work fits with your existing treatment and coordinate care when appropriate.
3. What happens after an EMDR intensive?
You might feel lighter, tired, reflective, or notice emotions continuing to surface. Everyone processes differently.
That’s why we prepare before treatment, incorporate grounding during the session, and discuss aftercare and follow-up.
You won’t be expected to figure out your next steps alone.
Want to Hear More About EMDR Intensives?
Sometimes hearing a real conversation helps you decide whether something is worth exploring.
Maybe It’s Time to Make Room for You.
You’ve made room for your career, your family, your responsibilities, and everybody else’s needs.
What would it look like to give yourself that same level of intention?
I’m Amanda Fludd, LCSW-R, trauma therapist and founder of Kensho Psychotherapy Services in Lynbrook, New York.
I work with women who are tired of being held back by old experiences, familiar patterns, and the pressure to keep it all together.
Through EMDR therapy and intensives, we create space to work through what’s been weighing on you, with care, intention, and a plan that fits your needs.
We offer in-person EMDR intensives in Lynbrook, Long Island, and virtual options for eligible New York residents. Even if you are not in NY, you can fly in, and we’ll curate a weekend healing experience for you.
Not sure which format makes sense for you? That’s exactly what the consultation is for.
You don’t have to keep making peace with patterns you’re ready to change.
BOOK YOUR EMDR INTENSIVE CONSULTATION
Kensho Psychotherapy Services | Lynbrook, NY
Written by Amanda Fludd, LCSW-R
Individual experiences vary, and EMDR intensives are not appropriate for everyone. Treatment recommendations are based on clinical assessment, readiness, and individual needs.
Podcast — Grace, Growth & Business: gracegrowthandbusiness.buzzsprout.com · About EMDR Intensives: amandafludd.com/therapyintensive · Contact: amanda@amandafludd.com
