EMDR Intensive Therapy

Traditional weekly therapy can take months to years to reach your goals. With EMDR Intensive Therapy, you can feel better in one to five days and have your life back. EMDR intensive sessions offer a more accelerated therapeutic approach, enabling you to achieve significant healing in a shorter time frame compared to traditional methods. Intensive clients often experience quicker healing and transformative results, leaving sessions feeling lighter and more hopeful.

What is an EMDR Intensive?

An accelerated treatment option for those looking to see results in their life faster. Our trained clinicians weave multiple types of evidence-based treatments into EMDR therapy. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

  • Somatics

  • Expressive Arts

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

EMDR Intensives can efficiently and effectively help you:

  • Maintain healthier relationships

  • Improve your self-esteem and confidence

  • Decrease anxiety and overwhelm

  • Heal trauma and PTSD

  • Improve mood

  • Increase resiliency

  • Get your time back

  • I'm so glad I took the time and money out to work on myself...I wish I had done this ten years ago.

    EMDR Intensive Client

  • Two days out from my EMDR intensive and I can't believe the amount of healing and clarity I experienced.

    EMDR Intensive Client

  • I've already had...moments where I realized how deeply entrenched old ways of thinking were crippling me, and I've been able to choose to react differently.

    EMDR Intensive Client

  • This weekend was life-changing. I felt safe and was able to process so many things that I could not have addressed fully within weekly sessions.

    EMDR Intensive Client

  • The EMDR intensive gave me the time and space I needed to dig deep into traumatic experiences and rewire the way my nervous system was experiencing them.

    EMDR Intensive Client

  • We accomplished so much in just 3 days. The weekend allowed me to face things I have been running away from or ignoring for 40 years and was quite literally life-changing!

    EMDR Intensive Client

Timeframe & Pricing

Half Day: $500

Full Day: $1,000

Weekend (Friday - Sunday): $3,500

Weekend Day: $1,250

1-5 Days: $1,000 per day 

All EMDR Intensives are individualized to meet various needs. During your initial consultation, length of treatment options will be discussed to find what is right for you.

What’s Included

Initial Consultation

Access to resource packet

Intensive EMDR Therapy

Helpful documents and discussion
of continued treatment options

Add-On: Access to Safe & Sound Protocol: $100

Unlike traditional weekly sessions, the intensive format reduces the reliance on regular weekly therapy, making treatment more efficient and accommodating for those with hectic schedules.

In a shorter period of time, you can heal now, be more engaged with life, and have more availability for what brings you joy. What is your time worth to you?

Integrative EMDR Intensive Therapy can efficiently and effectively help you:

  • Maintain healthier relationships

  • Improve your self-esteem and confidence

  • Decrease anxiety and overwhelm

  • Heal trauma and PTSD

  • Sustain better boundaries

  • Improve mood

  • Be more creative and productive

  • Break intergenerational patterns

  • Increase resiliency

  • Get your time back

Instead of sitting on a waitlist, schedule a free consultation now to discuss how Integrative EMDR Intensive Therapy might work for you. EMDR intensive therapists are available for free consultations to provide specialized therapeutic assistance.

What is Integrative EMDR Intensive Therapy?

An accelerated treatment option for those looking to see results in their life faster. Our trained clinicians weave multiple types of evidence-based treatments into EMDR therapy, including eye movement desensitization. This includes but is not limited to:

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals process and integrate traumatic memories and experiences. Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR therapy has gained widespread recognition for its effectiveness in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related disorders. The therapy works by using eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to activate the brain’s natural processing centers. This process allows individuals to reprocess and integrate traumatic memories in a new and adaptive way, reducing the emotional distress associated with these memories and promoting overall mental health.

Benefits of EMDR Intensives

EMDR Intensives are designed to support individuals who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Healing from past trauma is a central component of the EMDR Intensive Therapy program, emphasizing rapid trauma resolution in a supportive environment. This program is particularly beneficial for individuals who:

  • Have experienced a single traumatic event, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or sexual assault

  • Are struggling with complex PTSD, attachment trauma, or dissociative disorders

  • Are seeking a more intensive and immersive therapeutic experience

  • Have limited time for weekly therapy sessions

  • Are looking for a safe and supportive environment to process traumatic experiences

Who Can Benefit from EMDR Intensives?

EMDR Intensives are designed to support individuals who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Healing from past trauma is a central component of the EMDR Intensive Therapy program, emphasizing rapid trauma resolution in a supportive environment. This program is particularly beneficial for individuals who:

  • Have experienced a single traumatic event, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or sexual assault

  • Are struggling with complex PTSD, attachment trauma, or dissociative disorders

  • Are seeking a more intensive and immersive therapeutic experience

  • Have limited time for weekly therapy sessions

  • Are looking for a safe and supportive environment to process traumatic experiences

EMDR Intensive Structure and Schedule

EMDR Intensives typically consist of a series of consecutive sessions, ranging from 3 to 5 days. Each day, individuals will participate in 3-4 hours of EMDR processing, accompanied by movement, grounding, and breathing exercises to ensure an optimal experience. The structure and schedule are tailored to meet the individual’s specific needs and goals, with a focus on creating a safe and supportive environment for healing and growth.

What to Expect from an EMDR Intensive

During an EMDR Intensive, individuals can expect to:

  • Participate in an initial intake session to identify targets for processing and establish a treatment plan

  • Engage up to 6 hours of EMDR and other modalities per day, accompanied by movement, grounding, and breathing exercises

  • Receive a personalized workbook to identify and practice grounding techniques

  • Experience a safe and supportive environment for processing traumatic experiences

  • Have access to a licensed EMDR therapist for guidance and support throughout the intensive

Research Supporting EMDR Therapy

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Research has shown that EMDR therapy can:

  • Reduce symptoms of PTSD and anxiety in a shorter amount of time compared to traditional therapy

  • Improve emotional regulation and reduce symptoms of depression

  • Enhance cognitive functioning and reduce symptoms of traumatic brain injury

  • Increase feelings of safety and reduce symptoms of complex PTSD

Overall, EMDR Intensives offer a unique and effective approach to healing trauma and promoting overall well-being. By providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals to process traumatic experiences, EMDR Intensives can lead to accelerated healing, increased confidence, and improved mental health outcomes.

Why Choose Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy?

Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy stands out as a leading provider of EMDR intensive therapy in the region. Our team of experienced and licensed therapists is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where individuals can heal and grow. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including EMDR intensive therapy, weekly therapy sessions, and couples therapy. Our center is dedicated to helping individuals overcome trauma and achieve lasting healing and growth, making us a trusted partner in your mental health journey.

Preparing for EMDR Intensive Therapy

Preparing for EMDR intensive therapy is crucial to ensure a successful and transformative experience. Here are some steps to take before your session:

  • Schedule a consultation with one of our therapists to discuss your goals and expectations for the intensive.

  • Complete any necessary paperwork and assessments to help our team understand your needs and develop a personalized treatment plan.

  • Plan to arrive at our center with an open mind and a willingness to engage in the therapeutic process.

  • Bring any necessary items, such as comfortable clothing, a journal, or a favorite blanket, to help you feel relaxed and supported during your experience.

By taking these steps, you can ensure that you are fully prepared to make the most of your EMDR intensive therapy sessions.

After Your Intensive

After completing an EMDR intensive therapy session, it’s essential to continue working on your healing and growth. Here are some steps to take:

  • Schedule follow-up sessions with your therapist to continue processing and integrating your experiences.

  • Practice self-care and engage in activities that promote relaxation and stress reduction, such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.

  • Connect with a support group or online community to share your experiences and connect with others who have undergone similar therapy.

  • Continue to work on your goals and objectives, using the skills and strategies learned during your experience to maintain momentum and progress.

By following these steps, you can ensure that the benefits of your EMDR intensive therapy session are long-lasting and continue to support your mental health and well-being.

Traditional weekly therapy can take months to years to reach your goals. With EMDR Intensive Therapy, you can feel better in one to five days and have your life back. In a shorter period of time, you can heal now, be more engaged with life, and have more availability for what brings you joy. What is your time worth to you?

Instead of sitting on a waitlist, schedule a free consultation now to discuss how an EMDR Intensive might work for you.

Common Questions about Trauma Healing

  • Unfortunately, insurance companies do not yet cover EMDR Intensives. We seek to make intensives accessible but know that costs can deter people from getting the treatment they need now. Intensive therapy can save money in copays and frequent medical visits over the long term.

    Here are some funding options to consider:

    Care Credit Credit Card: We accept the Care Credit credit card to help make financing easier for you.

    Learn more by visiting www.carecredit.com or contacting our office. Ready to apply? See if you prequalify then apply online for your CareCredit card today.

    *Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. Ask us for details.

    Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP): For victims of crime that occurred in Pennsylvania and reported it to authorities within five years of the crime, you may be eligible for resources available to help pay for therapy costs. Learn more here.

    Sexual Assault Counseling Claims: For victims of sexual assault(s) in Pennsylvania who did not or do not want to report it to authorities and may have been denied VCAP claims may be eligible to submit a claim for counseling services. Learn more here.

  • A $500 deposit is due at the time of scheduling to reserve the time for your retreat. Your time will not be reserved until payment is accepted. This deposit is non-refundable 14 days before your retreat's first scheduled day. Payment is required in full prior to the start of your retreat, either online or in person.

  • Prior to 14 days of the first scheduled day of your intensive, you are entitled to a refund of your deposit, minus $10 to cover processing fees. If you reschedule your intensive prior to 14 days of your first scheduled day, your deposit will transfer at no cost. If you cancel your intensive within 14 days of the first scheduled day, you will forfeit your deposit in full.

  • Yes! We welcome out-of-town clients to stay in the area while doing their intensive therapy during the day. There are many accommodations, restaurants, and an outdoor public park nearby.

  • The short answer is yes, but an intensive EMDR therapy is not necessarily right for everyone. If you have found that weekly therapy appointments are not helping you meet your goals, an intensive might be right for you. You may have found your progress feeling slowed down by week-to-week appointments, and an EMDR intensive can help you decrease your symptoms and return to your life more quickly.

    Research on the efficacy of intensive EMDR and PTSD:

    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20008198.2020.1783955

    https://connect.springerpub.com/content/sgremdr/11/2/84

  • Many people will feel they have accomplished a lot of work during their intensive. If you still feel you have work to do, you can schedule another intensive or we can direct you as to where you can look for EMDR therapists in your area.

  • Yes, and you will determine with your therapist prior to your intensive if it is appropriate for them to be a part of treatment. There are places to shop and spend time in the area while your support person waits for you to finish your sessions.

  • A typical day looks like three hours of therapy in the morning with short breaks as needed, an hour lunch break, and three hours of therapy in the afternoon. Some people may use less time during the day, which is okay.