Intensive EMDR Programme
Evidence-Based Trauma Recovery Delivered in Days, Not Months
A well-researched approach to EMDR therapy that delivers the same NICE-recommended
treatment in a condensed format over consecutive days.
Understanding Intensive Therapy
Intensive therapy for trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) follows the same National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) - recommended, evidence-based EMDR approach as traditional EMDR therapy. The difference is that it is delivered at a higher frequency, over a shorter period of time.
Traditional therapy for PTSD:
60-90 minute sessions
Once per week
Lasting several weeks or months
Intensive therapy:
Extended time blocks (3 hours plus)
Over several consecutive days
Treatment completed over a shorter timeframe
This condensed approach enables therapy to be completed over a shorter time frame.
What Is Intensive EMDR?
Well-Researched & Established
This approach is well-researched and well-established in some public health services in:
The USA
The Netherlands
Norway
However, this condensed approach is fairly new to the UK. Police Care UK are currently trialing a project with serving police officers.
The evidence: Studies are showing that intensive therapy for PTSD is equally effective as weekly sessions (Gutner, C. A., Suvak, M. K., Sloan, D. M., C & Resick, P. A. (2016).
Online Delivery
Therapy will be conducted online via video conferencing, allowing you to engage in therapy from the comfort of your own home or suitable place and offering you therapy with as little disruption as possible to you.
Research indicates online therapy is as effective and safe as traditional face-to-face therapy (Hurley, 2018).
Why Intensive EMDR?
Individualised Treatment
Due to the condensed time frame intensive therapy is conducted over, the treatment plan will be individualised and designed specifically for you - your difficulties, needs, and goals. It is not a pre-written program or course.
Save Time & Money
Intensive therapy can save time and money due to condensing weeks of traditional therapy into a few days.
This can be specifically appealing for individuals with other commitments outside of the therapy space. For instance, it prevents you needing to put in place long-term arrangements for taking time away from employment, studies, or childcare.
Deeper Focus
The application of extended time blocks offers you space to completely focus on your recovery, without distractions or premature endings found in traditional therapy structures of 60-90 minute sessions.
The condensed nature can also prevent disappointing setbacks that frequently occur when traditional sessions are spaced out weekly or fortnightly.
Frequency & Consistency
Research indicates that the frequency and consistency of therapy provision matters. Therefore, intensive therapy significantly reduces the time frame between sessions and promotes consistency.
What The Research Says
Recent groundbreaking research (Butler & Ramsey-Wade, 2024) shows that people who undertake intensive therapy for trauma and PTSD:
✨ Feel safe, protected, and connected during the process
✨ Value the ringfenced time and space to focus on themselves
✨ Found the experience powerful, worthwhile, and effective
✨ Would recommend intensive therapy to a a friend, or wished they had come across it years ago.
How Will Intensive Therapy Be Structured?
Phase 1: Assessment Sessions
2 x 60-minute sessions
Additional sessions may be required depending on individual needs
During the first assessment session, we will:
Discuss what brought you to therapy
Learn about your difficulties and how they affect you and your life
Review any symptoms
Explore any coping strategies you currently have
Discuss what you'd like from the therapy and your goals
Complete questionnaires
Provide an opportunity for you to ask any questions about the therapy
Discuss confidentiality
Collaborative planning:
Intensive therapy is a commitment and requires energy and focus. Therefore, we will collaboratively consider your suitability for this unique therapy process and discuss practical arrangements and our shared availability to plan the intensive blocks.
Phase 2: Self-Regulating Techniques
2 x dedicated sessions
Additional sessions may be required depending on individual needs
Purpose:
These sessions are designed to help you feel more confident and more in control of your symptoms, by developing a 'toolbox' of techniques to:
Support a reduction in cortisol
Help calm down after emotional disturbance
Tailored approach:
These sessions will be tailored to your individual needs and additional sessions can be scheduled if required.
Phase 3: Intensive Blocks of Therapy
9 hours delivered in 3-hour time blocks
Following NICE guidelines:
NICE guidelines recommend around 9 sessions for trauma therapy. As we have already completed the assessment and stabilisation phase of therapy, you will be offered 9 hours of therapy, delivered in 3-hour time blocks.
Scheduling:
This will be collaboratively planned and scheduled within 1 week (where possible).
During intensive sessions:
The work:
We will identify specific troubling memories
Reduce their emotional 'heat' using various techniques of EMDR
All techniques will be tailored to your individual needs
Breaks and self-care:
You will be encourage to:
Take plenty of breaks during the intensive sessions
Hydrate and eat
Engage in some physical activity, such as walking or running
We will create space before the close of each session to engage in relaxation techniques to ensure you feel ready to leave the session after your intensive therapy.
Review:
At the end of the intensive therapy, there will be time to review and evaluate your progress, ask questions, and schedule any further days if needed.
Phase 4: Follow-Up Session
50-minute session
A follow-up session will be offered before therapy closes.
Important Considerations
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Research has indicated that engaging in exercise brings extra benefit to intensive therapy for trauma and PTSD.
Therefore, during intensive therapy you will be encouraged to engage in exercise around the sessions, such as the gym or any sport you take part in, or gardening
These activities are shown to support the experience and effects of trauma-focused therapy.
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As you will be working intensively in the therapy session, it will be important to ensure you have a protected space free from any interruptions.
You will be encouraged to consider how to minimise distractions such as:
Pets
Childcare
Visits to your property
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It is common to feel very tired after intensive therapy.
Therefore, it's strongly recommended that you keep your evenings clear for rest and recuperation.
Investment
Complete 14-Hour Programme: £2,800
This includes:
2 x 60-minute assessment sessions
2 x self-regulation development sessions
9 hours of intensive EMDR processing (3 x 3-hour blocks)
50-minute follow-up session
Additional Sessions
£120 per hour for any additional sessions required (for assessment or stabilisation as needed).
Is Intensive EMDR Right For You?
Intensive therapy is a commitment and requires energy and focus. During your assessment sessions, we will collaboratively consider your suitability for this unique therapy process.
Things to consider:
✓ Can you commit to consecutive days within one week (where possible)?
✓ Do you have adequate support systems in place?
✓ Can you create a protected, interruption-free space for 3-hour sessions?
✓ Are you able to keep your evenings clear for rest and recuperation?
✓ Can you engage in physical activity (walking/gym) around sessions?
✓ Are you ready to focus intensively on your recovery?
We will discuss all of this during your assessment sessions to ensure this approach is right for you.
Ready to Learn More?
If you're interested in the Intensive EMDR Programme and would like to explore whether it's right for you, please get in touch.
