EMDR INTENSIVES
for ptsd + C-PTSD
with ashley phillips
A focused approach for adults with PTSD + C-PTSD who are looking for accelerated healing.
Different from weekly appointments, an EMDR Intensive is structured to meet a specific therapeutic goal with the intention of making rapid change. Using the same framework as conventional EMDR sessions, Intensives allow clients to move through more material with focus.
The structure of EMDR Intensives works well for clients who have a clear goal of what they want to achieve, and who can dedicate time to the process during and after sessions.
This approach is exceptionally well suited for PTSD and C-PTSD. The focus is to create meaningful and lasting change as you move ahead.
You meet with a therapist who assesses your readiness and clarifies your goals, to see if EMDR Intensive sessions might be a fit for you. As a Certified EMDR Therapist with additional training in EMDR Intensives, Ashley considers what will best support your nervous system.
EMDR Intensives
01.
Intake + Assessment
Once your initial appointment is booked, you'll receive intake forms to complete through Janeapp.
In the appointment, Ashley assesses your readiness and whether an EMDR Intensive is clinically appropriate.
By the end of this appointment, you'll look at the next steps - whether it's an EMDR Intensive or another therapeutic approach.
02.
Preparation + EMDR Intensives
You and the therapist book the EMDR Intensive(s) which may include a preparation session to ensure you're well resourced.
EMDR Intensive session(s) are structured as you move through reprocessing.
While each person is different, the day includes:
Preparation
Trauma Treatment
Lunch Break + Exercise
Trauma Treatment
03.
After Care
You can feel fatigued, emotionally and physically. Rest and recovery is expected and planned.
Ashley follows up withyou in the week(s) after to assess your recovery process and be available for support.
Clients should plan for a break immediately after the Intensive and have time to focus on recovery.
04.
Future Planning
You have a debrief appointment with Ashley.
In this session, you review where you're at and how you integrate these new insights. Together you look at whether more Intensive sessions are required to achieve your goals.
With Future Planning, you and the therapist explore what may arise. Further appointments may be scheduled.
Step 1: Intake + Assessment Appointment
You and the therapist review your intake forms, concerns, and goals. In assessing readiness, Ashley considers a client’s motivation, willingness, goals, support systems, and ability to take time off work or commitments. She also looks at the client’s emotional regulation capacity, physical health, environmental stability, and support systems in determining whether an EMDR Intensive is clinically appropriate.
By the end of the appointment, you and the therapist will have a better understanding if an EMDR Intensive is a fit. You discuss next steps and book your next session(s).**
** An initial intake + assessment for an EMDR Intensive is not a guarantee of service. Proceeding with an EMDR Intensive is based on the psychotherapist’s clinical assessment of a client’s readiness and ability to see the process through for its duration.
Step 2: Preparation + the EMDR Intensives
If you’re moving ahead with an EMDR Intensive after your intake + assessment, you and the therapist book a set of appointments for a full day and/or half day. If you require additional preparation, Ashley will book that as a separate appointment.
The EMDR Intensive
The day is structured as you move through reprocessing, and Ashley schedules the day according to your treatment plan. While each person is different, here’s how an EMDR Intensive full day session might look.
9:15 - 11:45 Trauma treatment with a short break
12:00 - 12:30 Lunch Break
12:30 - 1:15 Exercise (yoga, stretching, go for a walk or run)
1:30 - 4:00 Trauma treatment with a short break
Think of an EMDR Intensive as similar to a health-related procedure: you take time to prepare and recover. Ensure you schedule time before, during, and after your Intensive Session(s) for recovery.
Step 3: After Care + Follow Up
You can be fatigued, emotionally and physically drained. Allowing for recovery is part of your treatment. Ashley follows up with you in the weeks after your EMDR Intensive to assess your recovery process, and about one month after treatment you'll be scheduled for an 80 minute appointment to reassess. Further appointments or sessions may be scheduled.
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Physical: you can feel tired, drained, and even a bit ‘achy’.
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Emotional: bursts of sadness, frustration, or relief; you could cry easily, or feel ‘raw’.
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Cognitive: new insights or memories may pop up, or nightmares.
How to help your body:
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Rest: avoid mental or physical exertion immediately after.
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Ground: use calming tools like deep breathing, yoga, taking walks, etc.
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Write or Journal: keep a journal of thoughts and dreams, without forcing yourself
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Avoid extras: strenuous exercise, excessive alcohol and/or recreational drug use, or participating in big events for a few days.
Recovery Time
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First 24 hours: you may feel a sense of deep calm and clarity.
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Days 1 + 2: processing peaks - you may feel emotional and exhausted.
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Days 3 + 5: energy starts to return, mood stabilizes, insights appear.
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Week 1 + beyond: you feel lighter, old triggers don’t bother you as much or at all.
Step 4: Future Planning
An essential part of EMDR therapy is looking to future situations, and this is where there can be a notable difference with EMDR Intensives. Reprocessing looks at the past with a goal of reducing current stresses caused by traumatic memories. The work of Future Planning takes insights from the EMDR Intensive and connects them to your daily life.
Future Planning looks at building the ability to respond differently as you move forward. This work strengthens your success by taking what you’ve learned and making real-word change, and answers those ‘what now?’ questions after EMDR.
Important Information
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All EMDR Intensive intake forms should be completed two business days before.
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10 business days’ notice is required for cancellations and changes to EMDR Intensive sessions.
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If an EMDR Intensive is cancelled with less than ten (10) business days' notice, the client is responsible for 50% of the session fee.
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If an EMDR Intensive is cancelled with less than seven (7) business days’ notice, the client is responsible for the full session fee.
Note: An initial intake + assessment for an EMDR Intensive is not a guarantee of service. Proceeding with an EMDR Intensive is based on the psychotherapist’s clinical assessment of a client’s readiness and ability to see the process through for its duration.
EMDR Intensive Sessions: rates
EMDR Intensive Intake and Assessment
80 minutes
$300
EMDR Intensive
Full Day Session
7 hours
$1,400
EMDR Intensive Half-Day Session
3.5 hours
$700
EMDR Intensive Reassessment
80 minutes
$300
What are the differences between EMDR sessions and an EMDR Intensive?
Where traditional EMDR therapy progresses weekly using identified target memories for reprocessing, EMDR Intensives are designed around a specific identified therapeutic goal. Instead of one memory at a time, an EMDR Intensive uses the most efficient path to meet the overall therapeutic goal. Preparation begins early. This is where assessment and screening are especially important for the therapist to evaluate the client’s readiness for concentrated trauma work.
Studies show that clients notice greater symptom reduction and a quicker recovery. In a 2018 study of 347 PTSD patients, more than half of the patients lost their PTSD diagnosis following 8 days of treatment. Six months after treatment, 75% of participants no longer met the criteria for PTSD.
How much does an EMDR Intensive cost?
Rates for EMDR Intensives are based on $200 per clinical hour. These rates reflect that an EMDR Intensive is a specialization requiring additional training and ongoing professional development. Your clinician has completed significant post-graduate training in addition to their Masters-level education and EMDR Training.
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Initial EMDR Intensive Assessment (80 minutes): $300
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EMDR Intensive Half-Day Session (3.5 hours): $700
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EMDR Intensive Full-Day Session (7 hours): $1,400
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EMDR Intensive Reassessment (80 minutes): $300
Therapist check-ins during and after EMDR Intensives are built into the rate structure. Some extended benefit and health plans may cover longer counselling sessions, so check with your plan provider. Clients are responsible for the difference in fees not covered by third-party benefits, including CVAP or ICBC.
We partnered with Canadian-owned iFinance to offer monthly plans specifically for Intensives. Check if you qualify.
How do I prepare for an EMDR Intensive?
Think of an EMDR Intensive as you would a medical procedure and plan for it. You may find you’re able to do more, but start by preparing to do less.
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Book time off. No work on the days between treatment and after. Yes, really.
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Reduce daily obligations. Lighten your load to a minimum and outsource as much as possible during your Intensive session(s).
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If your EMDR appointments are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, do not go to work on Wednesday and Friday. Plan to rest.
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Schedule childcare + caregiver respite: focus on caring for yourself.
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Gather your support network. Keep your people in the know so they can provide logistical support for you as you need it. (cooking, shopping, cleaning, errands, etc)
What side effects could I have from an EMDR Intensive?
Working with a qualified therapist who has training in EMDR Intensives means you’ll have solid preparation and good resourcing. An EMDR Intensive can be incredibly effective; some parts may require extra care during the process, and as you’re recovering.
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Fatigue: you’re doing a lot of reprocessing work in a short time.
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Difficulty sleeping: though you’re tired, you ‘think’ about it which can keep you awake.
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Somatic: muscle tension, headaches, and aches are examples.
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Nightmares or disturbing dreams: journal your emotions and feelings as they come.
These can be unsettling - but it means it’s working! Before you begin an EMDR Intensive, your therapist works with you to ensure you’re prepared. Recovery takes time. Things won’t be ‘cured’ in a day, but they can feel a lot lighter quite quickly.
Will we be done in one EMDR Intensive session?
While an EMDR Intensive isn’t a ‘quick fix’, it can help clients see significant progress more quickly. Effective Intensive work focuses on creating meaningful movement toward your therapeutic goal while supporting long-term stability and nervous system regulation. Healing continues after the Intensive ends - some clients can maintain progress on their own, and some might need additional therapy, support, or future processing.
How do I get a PTSD or C-PTSD assessment?
Our in-house registered psychologist Lisa Harder offers assessments for PTSD and C-PTSD that can only be used in treatment planning or to gain a better understanding of yourself. Lisa is not able to offer legal diagnosis used for legal proceedings.
PTSD + C-PTSD assessments for diagnostic purposes or used in legal proceedings require additional specialized training for the registered psychologist or psychiatrist. If you need a diagnosis for legal purposes, we can refer someone outside of the clinic who has that area of specialization.