What Happens in an EMDR Intensive? A Day-by-Day Guide
In short: an EMDR intensive is several hours of focused EMDR therapy in one day, or across a few days in a row, instead of one session a week. You'll have at least one preparation session first. On the day, we work from 10am to 4.30pm, with three processing sessions, a lunch break and time to settle at the start and end. Afterwards, there's a follow-up session to review how you're doing.
When people ask me about intensives, the question underneath is usually: what will it actually be like? It's hard to commit to a day of trauma therapy if you can't picture it. So here is what happens, step by step.
Before your intensive
The free call
Everything starts with a free 15-minute call. We talk about what's brought you here, what you'd like to change, and whether an intensive, weekly EMDR or something else would suit you best. If I don't think an intensive is the right step for you right now, I'll say so.
Preparation sessions
Before any intensive day, we have at least one preparation session. People with complex trauma often need two or more. In preparation we:
get to know each other, so the intensive day isn't the first time you're in the room with me
map out what you want to work on, and which memories or themes connect to it
practise grounding and calming techniques until they feel familiar
agree how we'll pace the day and what we'll do if things feel too much
This groundwork is what makes an intensive safe. It also means that on the day, almost all of our time can go into processing.
Getting yourself ready
In the days before, I'll suggest you:
clear the evening after your intensive, and the next day if you can
arrange to get home easily, especially if you're travelling from outside Leeds
bring comfortable clothes, water and anything that helps you feel settled
let someone you trust know you're doing some focused therapy that day
On the day: 10am to 4.30pm
Every intensive is planned around the person, but a typical day looks like this.
10:00: Settling in. We check in, look at how you're feeling, and go back over the plan and your grounding skills. There's no rush.
10:30: First processing session. We begin EMDR with the memory or theme we agreed. You'll hold it in mind while following eye movements, tapping or tones, and notice whatever comes up. I'll check in with you regularly and we'll pace it together.
12:00: Lunch. A proper break away from the room. Many people like a short walk or some quiet time.
13:00: Second processing session. We pick up where we left off. This is often where the benefit of an intensive shows most. Because the morning's work is still fresh, we can follow connected memories rather than starting again from scratch, as you would next week.
14:30: Short break.
14:45: Final processing session. We continue the work, and start to bring things towards a close in good time.
16:00: Closing and grounding. We make sure you feel settled and present before you leave. We talk about what's come up, what you might notice that evening, and how to look after yourself.
That's around five hours of focused therapy, with rest built in throughout.
How does it feel?
Everyone's experience is different, but people often describe:
feeling tired by the afternoon, in the way you might after a long, meaningful day
moments of strong emotion during processing, which pass more quickly than they expected
a sense of relief or lightness as memories lose their charge
surprise at how much ground was covered in one day
If you're on a multi-day intensive, each day builds on the one before. Most people find the second and third days feel steadier than the first, because they know what to expect.
After your intensive
That evening and the next day
Processing can continue after the session. You might have vivid dreams, feel unusually tired, or notice new thoughts and memories. This is normal, and usually settles within a few days. Keep things gentle: an early night, a calm meal, and as little pressure as possible.
The follow-up session
A week or two later, we meet for a follow-up. We look at what's changed, talk through anything that's come up since, and agree what happens next. For some people that's the end of the work. Others choose a further intensive, or some weekly EMDR to consolidate.
Is an intensive right for you?
An intensive may suit you if you want to make focused progress, find weekly sessions hard to fit around work or family, live outside Leeds, or have a specific experience you want to work through. It can also be especially helpful for repeated trauma. I've written more about that in Can EMDR intensives help with complex trauma?
It may not be the right first step if you're currently in crisis, don't yet have ways to calm yourself when you're overwhelmed, or have very limited support around you. In that case, weekly therapy is often safer to begin with, and an intensive may come later.
Where and how much?
Intensives take place at The Tower Clinic in Cookridge, Leeds, with free parking, or online for suitable clients across the UK. Packages include your consultation, preparation, intensive days and follow-up, so you know the full cost from the start. You can also spread the cost with a pay-before-you-start plan. See EMDR intensives and fees for details.
Find out more
I'm Jodie Slee, a psychotherapist and EMDR therapist with over 17 years' experience helping adults recover from trauma, complex trauma, childhood trauma and betrayal.
If you're wondering whether an intensive could help you, book a free 15-minute call. There's no pressure and no obligation.
If you're struggling to cope, please speak to your GP. If you're in crisis, you can call Samaritans any time on 116 123.
