EMDR full-day & half-day Intensive Therapy in Los Angeles
An accelerated approach to trauma healing that can feel like doing a month+ of therapy within an extended, well-supported session.
same destination, different routes
EMDR intensive vs. weekly EMDR therapy
With an EMDR therapy Intensive:
Longer, uninterrupted sessions allow ample time to move through all eight phases of EMDR in a single, continuous container
Targets are chosen intentionally and worked with until there is a clear, measurable sense of completion or resolution
Instead of spending time catching up or re-orienting at the start of each session, we can move more directly into the work
Closing targets within the same day often reduces post-session chaos and supports smoother integration
Especially helpful when working with a specific trauma, memory, or recurring pattern
Because insurance reimbursement is limited to standard therapy session lengths of 45–53 minutes, only one hour of an EMDR intensive is typically eligible for reimbursement. The remainder of the intensive is private pay.
With Weekly EMDR therapy:
When EMDR is done in weekly sessions, the eight phases of EMDR are often stretched over multiple weeks. It can take a while to get going, and just as things start to open up, the session often has to end.
With 50-minute sessions, much of the time is spent orienting, settling, and reopening targets—leaving limited space for sustained trauma processing
Targets can remain partially processed from week to week, sometimes creating emotional whiplash, increased reactivity, or a sense of things feeling stirred up without resolution
Progress can feel slower, especially when schedules are inconsistent or life inevitably happens between sessions
Insurance companies require reimbursable therapy sessions to fall within a standard length for 45–53 minutes. Because weekly EMDR sessions meet this requirement, they are often fully reimbursable if you have a PPO plan.
An EMDR intensive isn’t about pushing or rushing. It’s about creating enough space, support, and regulation for your system to do what it already knows how to do—heal.
Is an EMDR Intensive right for me?
EMDR intensives may be a good fit if you:
Feel ready to focus on a specific trauma, memory, or recurring pattern
Have done talk therapy and understand your story, but still experience lingering PTSD symptoms or reactivity
Have experience with somatic or body-based approaches and feel comfortable working with sensations, emotions, and memory
Are already resourced and seeking deeper or more focused trauma processing
Are working with a primary therapist who does not offer EMDR and want to add EMDR as a targeted layer of support (not required)
Have limited availability for weekly therapy
Are seeking an in-person, immersive therapeutic experience rather than brief weekly sessions
EMDR Intensives are not the right fit if:
You are experiencing active suicidal ideation or are at risk of harming yourself
You are having difficulty staying grounded or present for extended periods when strong emotions come up
You are frequently dissociating (losing time, going numb, or feeling unreal) in ways that make it difficult to stay present for extended periods
You are in active substance use, or early recovery
You are early in your healing process and still learning basic grounding, regulation, or resourcing skills
You are seeking primarily open-ended relational support rather than focused trauma processing
If an EMDR intensive isn’t appropriate for you at this time, that doesn’t mean it won’t ever be – it just means your nervous system needs a different pace or form of support right now.
We’ll assess readiness together before scheduling an intensive, so you’re not navigating this decision alone.
What to Expect from an EMDR IntensivE
Scheduling, Format, and Fees
Full Day Intensive
8 Hours • $1600
-
9:00–10:30 | Arrival, Orientation & Resourcing
We begin slowly. This time is used to orient to the space, review intentions, strengthen internal and external resources, and make sure your nervous system feels supported before deeper work begins.10:30–12:30 | EMDR Processing Block
A longer, uninterrupted EMDR processing period focused on a specific memory, theme, or pattern, with pacing guided by your system.12:30–1:30 | Lunch & Integration Break
A spacious break to eat, rest, walk, or ground. This is an important part of integration, not a pause from the work.1:30–3:30 | EMDR Processing Block
We return to EMDR processing, building on the morning’s work or shifting focus as needed based on how your system responds.3:30–4:00 | Regulation & Containment
Time to slow down, regulate, and ensure you feel settled and oriented before transitioning out of the intensive.4:00–5:00 | Integration, Meaning-Making & Next Steps
We reflect on what emerged, support integration, and discuss aftercare, resourcing, and how to continue supporting the work moving forward. -
Clients working with complex or layered trauma
Those wanting to address more than one memory, theme, or belief
People who want spaciousness for both deep processing and integration
Clients with limited weekly availability or clients traveling from out of town.
-
More time for your nervous system to settle and open naturally
Space to move through multiple layers or targets if appropriate
Longer integration and meaning-making time
Less pressure to “get somewhere” quickly
Half Day Intensive
4 Hours • $950
-
9:00–10:00 | Arrival, Orientation & Resourcing
Grounding, intention-setting, and preparation to create a sense of safety and readiness.10:00–12:00 | EMDR Processing Block
Focused EMDR processing targeting a specific memory, belief, or pattern.12:00–12:30 | Regulation & Containment
Slowing down, orienting, and supporting nervous system regulation before closing.12:30–1:00 | Integration & Next Steps
Time to reflect, integrate, and discuss ongoing support or follow-up. -
Clients focusing on a single memory, event, or belief
First-time EMDR intensive clients wanting to start smaller
Those wanting momentum without committing to a full day
Clients adding EMDR alongside ongoing weekly therapy
-
Ideal for focused work on a specific issue
Can provide meaningful relief and clarity in a shorter container
Often a great entry point to full-day EMDR intensives
More accessible and affordable for some clients
in-person & online Options available
EMDR intensives are offered in person in Long Beach, CA, or online via a HIPAA-compliant platform for clients who reside in California or are physically located in California at the time of service.
Half-day EMDR intensives are offered on Fridays from 9:00am–1:00pm or 1:00pm–5:00pm.
Full-day intensives are available on Fridays and Saturdays and typically run from 9:00am–5:00pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
about EMDR Intensives
-
EMDR intensives don’t end when the session ends. It’s common to notice continued processing, emotional shifts, new insights, fatigue, or increased clarity in the days or weeks that follow. Before you leave, we’ll talk through aftercare, resourcing, and ways to support integration. Follow-up sessions or coordination with your primary therapist are available if helpful.
-
Most people are not “wrecked,” but many do feel tender, tired, or inwardly focused. Others feel relief or lightness. This is why I strongly recommend planning a low-demand day afterward—no major meetings, travel, or emotionally charged commitments. We prioritize containment and regulation so you leave feeling grounded, not blown open.
-
The word intensive refers to the length and continuity of the session, not the force or pressure of the work. Nothing is rushed or pushed. Pacing is guided by your nervous system, and we slow down as needed. Safety and integration always come before depth.
-
We’ll decide together. During a consultation, we’ll look at your goals, readiness, resourcing, and what feels most supportive. A full day offers more spaciousness and depth; a half day can be plenty for focused work on a specific issue. There’s no “better” option—only what fits you best right now.
-
No. Some clients come specifically for an intensive, while others use EMDR intensives alongside ongoing therapy. If you’re working with a primary therapist, I’m happy to coordinate care (with your consent). If you’re not currently in therapy, we’ll talk through what support might be helpful after the intensive.
-
For some people, yes—for others, no. Intensives can create meaningful movement and relief, but they’re not a one-size-fits-all replacement for ongoing relational work. We’ll talk honestly about what makes sense for your situation.
-
That’s something we screen for ahead of time. Preparation, resourcing, and pacing are built into the process. If at any point your system needs to slow down, we slow down. EMDR is collaborative—you’re not expected to “power through” anything.
-
You’ll receive guidance ahead of time, but in general:
Plan for rest and minimal demands afterward
Eat nourishing food and hydrate well
Avoid substances before and after the intensive
Come dressed comfortably
Preparation is part of the work—we don’t skip it.
-
EMDR intensives are private pay and not covered by insurance. If you have a PPO plan with out of network benefits and have met your deductible, insurance may reimburse you for one hour of the intensive.
-
EMDR intensives can be helpful for single-incident trauma, relational trauma, developmental trauma, medical experiences, phobias, and persistent patterns rooted in past experiences. We’ll clarify focus areas together before scheduling.
-
That’s okay. Readiness is something we assess together. If an intensive isn’t the right fit right now, I’ll tell you honestly and help you think through alternatives that better support your nervous system.
-
The first step is a consultation. This gives us space to talk through your goals, answer questions, assess fit, and decide whether a half-day or full-day intensive makes sense. There’s no pressure to commit.