What is an EMDR Intensive and How can it Help you Heal?
What if therapy didn’t have to stretch on for months or years? What if you could do a focused deep dive and come out on the other side feeling real relief?
I’m Alli Christie Disney, a trauma healing therapist in Colorado. I specialize in EMDR, IFS, and Somatic Experiencing intensives, and I’ve seen firsthand how powerful this format can be for people who feel stuck in weekly therapy and are ready for change.
Why Consider a Therapy Intensive?
Many people come to therapy because they feel weighed down by old pain, anxiety, or trauma that won’t loosen its grip. Weekly therapy can be helpful, but sometimes it feels like progress is slow or constantly interrupted by life.
A therapy intensive gives you something different: the chance to step away, focus fully on your healing, and allow the process the time it really needs. Instead of spreading your sessions out over months, an intensive lets you do deep work now.
What Exactly Is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. At its core, EMDR uses bilateral stimulation and taxing the working memory (like moving your eyes back and forth) to activate the brain’s natural ability to process and release stuck memories.
I often explain it like this: when you get a paper cut, your body already knows how to heal it. You don’t have to think about it or manage every step. In the same way, your nervous system already knows how to heal emotional wounds. EMDR simply puts your body in the right state to complete that natural process.
One of my clients once joked, “This is voodoo magic!” But the truth is, it’s not magic — it’s your body doing what it was built to do.
How EMDR Intensives Are Different from Weekly Therapy
In weekly therapy, you meet for about 50 minutes at a time. Just when you’re starting to get into the heart of something painful, the clock runs out. You have to pause, pack up your feelings, and wait another week.
An EMDR intensive works differently. Sessions are longer — usually three to five hours a day, with breaks built in — over the course of one to five days. That’s why some people think of it as a therapy retreat or even a “therapy vacation.”
And no, intensive doesn’t mean more emotionally intense. It simply means you get more time. Time to go deeper. Time to stay with the healing instead of constantly hitting pause.
The Benefits of EMDR Intensives
There are a few reasons I love intensives:
Faster progress – Instead of months of sessions, you can process more fully in just a few days.
Uninterrupted healing time – You don’t have to stop right when you’re finally getting into the deeper layers.
Reaching the roots – You’re not constantly pulled away by everyday stressors; you can focus on the real heart of the issue.
One of my trainers described it as a “house of trauma.” Each room holds different painful experiences — maybe childhood struggles, past relationships, or a scary accident. In weekly therapy, you might only peek into one room at a time before the clock runs out. In an intensive, you can actually walk into a room, take the time you need, and clear out the entire space more completely.
Who Is a Good Fit for an EMDR Intensive?
While almost anyone could benefit, there are some people who find intensives especially helpful.
Busy professionals and entrepreneurs who don’t have time to step away from work and family for weekly sessions but could set aside a few days to focus deeply.
People in crisis who feel like their trauma, panic, or anxiety is starting to take over their lives. They may even be considering a leave from work or feel like they’re unraveling. For them, an intensive can provide the relief they need to keep moving forward.
If you’re motivated, ready, and longing for real change, you’re likely a great fit.
Taking the Next Step Toward Healing
If you’re curious about whether an EMDR intensive could be right for you, I offer a free 45-minute consultation. It’s a chance to ask your questions, share what you’re struggling with, and see if this format feels like the right fit for your healing.
Whether you choose an intensive or another path, you deserve to feel safe in your body, get unstuck, and create the life you truly want.
Schedule your free consultation here.
Disclaimer
I provide therapy only to clients located in Colorado at the time of service. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or dial your local emergency number right away.
