Accelerated Healing with EMDR Intensives
In-Person in Chapel Hill, NC & Virtually Across NC & SC
Are you someone who…
Has tried traditional talk therapy but didn’t see the change you were hoping for?
Is looking for faster healing and resolution for past wounds?
Feels stuck in patterns and hopeless that things can change?
Desires change but is unsure how to get there?
Is committed to investing time and energy into your own emotional well-being and growth?
What are EMDR Intensives?
EMDR intensives offer a distinctive therapeutic approach where, instead of the typical 50-minute session, we allocate a more extended period of time for therapeutic work. These sessions can span up to 8 hours each day, over multiple days, facilitating deeper exploration and more comprehensive healing.
In a typical 50-minute therapy session, part of the time is often dedicated to catching up from the week, deciding on the focus of the session, delving into the deep work, and then wrapping up to ensure you feel prepared to re-enter the world. However, with EMDR intensives, we have the ability to extend the duration for deep, uninterrupted work.
This extended time allows for a more immersive and focused therapeutic experience. Through this targeted approach, you can effectively process and reframe traumatic memories, leading to significant breakthroughs and lasting positive change.
“It’s like having 3 years of therapy in 3 days!”
Who can this help?
Individuals with PTSD, complex PTSD, or previous adverse life experiences
People struggling with anxiety and phobias
Those experiencing grief and loss
People with attachment woulds stemming from early childhood issues that manifest in current relationships
Individuals experiencing chronic pain or illness or with previous medical trauma
Those feeling “stuck” in current patterns and want to explore obstacles that may be hindering their potential
What Should I Expect?
What is Included in an EMDR Intensive?
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Pre Intensive Interview
A 60 minute session to discuss history, current symptoms, goals of the intensive, and what to expect. My goal for this session is that you walk away with a clear idea of what to expect and excitement for the change ahead.
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Personalized Treatment Workbook
The workbook provides assessments and exercises to prepare you for the intensive. It helps you to monitor your progress towards treatment goals prior to, during, and after our sessions.
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Tailored Treatment Plan
An individual treatment plan will be crafted following the pre intensive interview which will include targets and resourcing activities specifically for your needs. Intensives typically last 4-8 hours, and are tailored specifically to your needs.
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Post Intensive Interview
A 60 minute session to debrief the experience and new insights. We will reflect on the changes that have happened and celebrate your hard work! We will also discuss future goals and next steps.
EMDR Intensives Can Help You:
Overcome past traumas and regain control over your life
Reach profound fast healing and transformation
Break free from feeling stuck and help you reach your full potential
How Does it Work?
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Weekday intensives: $250 per hour
Weekend intensives: $300 per hour
Intensives typically range from 4–8 hours.
We’ll discuss which length fits your needs best.
Payment plans available.
EMDR Intensive Retreats in North Carolina
For those who are traveling from out of town or who prefer to complete their intensive work over multiple days, we offer EMDR intensive retreat options.
What are EMDR Intensive Retreats?
These retreats allow you to step away from the demands of everyday life and focus fully on your healing work in a supportive, structured environment. Rather than a single long session, retreat-style intensives are scheduled across multiple consecutive days, allowing for deeper processing while still building in time for rest and integration.
Who is this best for?
You are traveling from another part of North Carolina or out of state
You want to focus on healing without the distractions of daily life
You are looking to make meaningful progress in a concentrated period of time
Retreat-style intensives may include multiple EMDR sessions per day, with breaks for integration and regulation.
Every intensive is customized collaboratively, but some common formats include:
2-Day Intensive Retreat
Approximately 8–10 total therapy hours across two days
3-Day Intensive Retreat
Approximately 12–15 total therapy hours across three days
Extended Intensive Retreat
Customized multi-day options depending on therapeutic goals
Planning Your Retreat
Clients traveling to Chapel Hill are responsible for arranging their own accommodations and transportation. We are happy to provide recommendations for nearby hotels, restaurants, and quiet spaces for rest between sessions.
Because intensive work is emotionally meaningful, we encourage clients to plan for rest and gentle integration time in the evenings.
Healing doesn’t have to wait months or years.
FAQs
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Click this link to schedule your initial consultation with me and I’ll reach out within 2 business days!
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As an out-of-network provider, session fees are paid upfront. Upon request, you'll receive a receipt or a 'superbill' that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
The reimbursement for EMDR intensives through insurance can vary depending on your specific insurance plan and coverage. Some insurance plans may provide coverage for EMDR therapy sessions, including intensives, while others may not cover it or may only partially cover the cost.
To determine if your insurance will reimburse you for EMDR intensives, it's important to contact your insurance provider directly. You can inquire about your coverage for mental health services, including EMDR therapy, and ask specific questions about reimbursement rates, deductible requirements, and any limitations or restrictions that may apply.
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Determining if EMDR intensives are worth the financial investment depends on various factors, including your individual needs, treatment goals, and financial situation. Here are some considerations to help you decide:
Severity of Symptoms: If you're experiencing significant distress or symptoms related to past traumas or current stressors, EMDR intensives may offer a more concentrated and effective approach to addressing these issues compared to traditional therapy sessions.
Speed of Healing: EMDR intensives are designed to facilitate rapid healing and transformation, which may be particularly beneficial if you're seeking a quicker resolution to your concerns.
Personalized Approach: EMDR intensives provide a highly personalized treatment experience tailored to your specific needs and goals. This individualized approach can lead to more targeted and impactful results.
Long-Term Benefits: Investing in EMDR intensives may yield long-term benefits in terms of improved emotional well-being, better coping skills, and enhanced quality of life.
Cost Effectiveness: The intensive format may decrease treatment time, because there is time not spent checking in at the beginning of each session, addressing current crises and concerns, or regaining composure at the end of the session.
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Yes, EMDR intensives can be combined with other forms of therapy, depending on your individual needs and treatment goals. EMDR therapy is highly versatile and can compliment various therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based therapy, and more.
Combining EMDR intensives with other therapies can provide a comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing your overall well-being. It allows for a tailored treatment plan that targets different aspects of your concerns and integrates various therapeutic techniques to support your healing journey.
Whether you are working with another therapist or are also wanting continued weekly sessions with me, combining EMDR intensives with other forms of therapy can be helpful.
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Yes, everyone dissociates! Have you ever been driving down the road and suddenly found yourself at home without remembering how you got there? That is dissociation. Those living with complex trauma often have learned to dissociate as an adaptive and protective response.
I have education and training in screening for and working with dissociation, and adapting EMDR techniques for those on the dissociative spectrum. I actively seek consultation for furthering my ability to work with dissociation, as I continue growing as a clinician in this specialty.
In my practice, I work collaboratively with clients to determine their best therapeutic path, and how to improve their day-to-day life while fostering a supportive and empowering therapeutic journey.
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EMDR intensive therapy can bring up strong emotions as we work through past traumas. However, your comfort and safety is a priority. A big piece of the work will be to prepare you for the intensity and incorporate breaks as needed to stay within your window of tolerance. My goal is to create a supportive environment where you can explore and process at a manageable pace.
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Yes, please contact me to learn more.
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Before your intensive, we’ll complete a brief intake process to understand your history and goals. We will also discuss preparation for how to structure your day, what to bring, and grounding tools we may use. The intensive will begin with stabilization to help your nervous system feel ready and safe.
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After your intensive, we create an individualized aftercare plan to support continued regulation and integration. This may include grounding strategies, somatic exercises, pacing recommendations for the rest of your week, and optional follow-up sessions. We want you to feel supported beyond the intensive itself.
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Weekly EMDR offers gradual progress and ongoing support. Intensives allow for several weeks or months of progress in a condensed time frame, without losing momentum between sessions. Some clients use both depending on their needs. We will collaborate with you on what feels most supportive.
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We are trained to help you stay grounded and safe, and we will check in with your nervous system throughout the intensive. We incorporate breaks, stabilization, and grounding strategies to help you stay within your window of tolerance. You do not have to navigate any of this alone.
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Yes. Many clients with chronic illness, autoimmune conditions, pain disorders, or medical trauma find EMDR and EMDR intensives deeply supportive. We will tailor the pace of the work to your energy levels and physical needs.