What a Day of an EMDR Intensive Looks Like

If you have ever wondered what actually happens during an EMDR intensive, you are in good company. It is one of the most common questions I hear in consultations.

So I made a short video to show you. There was just one problem: the budget for a real actor was zero.

Enter Bear. He is soft, patient, works for hugs, and has graciously signed over his HIPAA rights. In the video, Bear plays the client so you can see what a day of an EMDR intensive looks like in my Lynnwood, WA office, from the moment you sit down to the moment you walk out feeling lighter.

Watch: A Day of an EMDR Intensive

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Prefer to read? Here is a walkthrough of what you will see.

What Is an EMDR Intensive?

An EMDR intensive is a focused, accelerated form of trauma therapy. Instead of meeting for 50 minutes once a week, we work together for several uninterrupted hours.

That extra time matters. In weekly therapy, we often open up a painful memory and then have to close it again when the hour ends. In an intensive, there is room to process deeply, rest, and integrate, all in one sitting.

My Attuned EMDR Intensives weave together EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Somatic Experiencing. That means we follow your nervous system and your parts, not a rigid script.

What Happens During an EMDR Intensive Day

1. We start by settling in

We begin with a short meditation so you can get comfortable and arrive in the room. Bear took this part very seriously. Then we do some assessments to understand where you are today.

2. We decide together what to work on

As a team, we choose which painful or traumatic experiences we will process with EMDR. You are never handed a plan. We build it together.

3. Every part of you gets a voice

Sometimes a part of you feels unsure or wants to protect you from going too fast. That part is welcome. I listen for any objections, honor what those parts need, and address their concerns before we move forward.

4. I keep a close eye on your nervous system

Throughout the day, I track your window of tolerance, the zone where you can feel things without getting overwhelmed. If you start to drift outside it, we slow down, ground, and take breaks. You are supported every step of the way.

5. You choose how to do EMDR

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, which simply means gentle back-and-forth input to both sides of the brain. You can choose:

Handheld tappers (buzzers) that pulse gently in each hand
An eye-movement light bar that you follow with your eyes
Audio tones that alternate between your ears

6. Your brain does the healing work

During processing, your brain does what it was designed to do. It helps your mind, body, and nervous system finally get the message: that was then, this is now, and I am relatively safe now.

What Healing Can Feel Like After an EMDR Intensive

Many people walk away with new, deeply felt beliefs about themselves, such as:

I am safe now.
I am worthy.
It was not my fault.

When they think back on the memories we worked on, those memories often no longer carry the same emotional charge. The body stops bracing. The stomach does not drop. The memory becomes something that happened, not something that is still happening.

Everyone heals at their own pace, and results vary. But this shift is what makes intensive work so meaningful to witness.

And by the end of the day? Just look at Bear (in the video). He has never felt lighter.

How Long Is an EMDR Intensive?

Intensives range from 3 to 12 hours of therapy, spread over 1 to 3 days. Some people come in for a single 3-hour intensive to see how it feels. Others, especially those working through complex or childhood trauma, benefit from 2 to 3 days.

Every intensive includes a pre-intensive assessment and a post-intensive integration session, so you are supported before, during, and after. You can see all options on my EMDR Intensives page.

Who Is an EMDR Intensive For?

An EMDR intensive may be a good fit if you:

Feel stuck despite years of talk therapy
Carry childhood trauma, CPTSD, or the impact of emotionally immature parents
Want to work through a specific memory, such as an accident, medical trauma, or assault
Live with chronic anxiety, shame, or a harsh inner critic
Need a time-efficient option that fits a busy life
Need to get over the anxiety of being on a airplane
Need to get over the anxiety of taking exams

I offer EMDR intensives in person in Lynnwood, WA, serving Seattle, Everett, Edmonds, Bothell, and the greater Puget Sound area. I also offer online EMDR intensives for adults anywhere in Washington and California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an EMDR intensive overwhelming?

It does not have to be. Intensives are paced around your nervous system, with breaks, grounding, and resourcing built in. We go deep, but never faster than your system can handle.

Can I do an EMDR intensive online?

Yes. Online EMDR uses on-screen eye movements or audio tones and can be just as effective for many people. You need a private space, reliable internet, and headphones, and you must be located in Washington or California during sessions.

Can I keep seeing my current therapist?

Yes. Many clients use an intensive alongside their ongoing therapy. With your permission, I am happy to coordinate with your therapist.

Does insurance cover EMDR intensives?

No, but I accept credit cards and HSA payments, and you will receive a Good Faith Estimate before we begin.

Ready to See If an EMDR Intensive Is Right for You?

You do not have to keep carrying this alone, and you do not have to figure out the next step by yourself. Bear did it, and he does not even have opposable thumbs.

Schedule a free 20-minute consultation, and we will explore together whether an Attuned EMDR Intensive fits where you are in your healing.

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