Lindsay Christianson
EMDR | Relationships | Divorce
WA and AZ Relationship Therapist
Summer Pricing
(info below)
EMDR Intensive Therapy
EMDR therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that helps people process negative feelings and change how traumatic memories are stored.
EMDR therapy can be a powerful tool for helping individuals heal from trauma and distressing experiences, facilitating significant improvements in emotional well-being and overall quality of life.
It works by stimulating both sides of the body through eye movement, auditory, or tactile bilateral stimulation, while focusing on parts of a difficult memory. Patients report a decrease in emotional response to a difficult memory, and an increase in positive thoughts about themselves. EMDR offered in an intensive format can offer many practical benefits to clients, including faster symptom relief, easier to plan/schedule fewer appointments, and less cost overall. Instead of stopping and starting reprocessing every week for multiple weeks at a time, we go all in for a 3 to 6-hour intensive session.
***Summer Pricing: For sessions booked in the month of August through 9/14/2024, the investment is $600 for a 3-hour, half-day intensive and $1150 for a 6-hour, full-day intensive. Contact me for available dates.***
Here's what it looks like to work with me in an EMDR intensive format:
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Consultation session for goals, overall assessment of fit for EMDR, and planning/expectations for treatment day(s) (55 minutes, $198)
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Workbook provided to you to prepare for your treatment day (included in intensive fee)
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Arrive at my office for your treatment day - I greet you with you your favorite beverage, snacks, and a comfortable space to complete your treatment.
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Treatment day: Half-day 3 hours $850; includes 2-2.5 hours of direct therapy contact time and short breaks as needed.
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Treatment day: Full-day 6 hours $1500; includes 4.5-5.5 hours of direct therapy contact time and a lunch break. Lunch provided.
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Add-ons to your treatment day include: yoga, sauna or cold plunge sessions, nature walks/outdoor time for additional re-regulation.
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If you need lodging, McMenamin's Anderson Schoolhouse is within walking distance to my therapy space; I can assist with other recommendations for lodging.
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At time of scheduling, the deposit of 50% of the intensive fee is required to hold your time slot. The remaining 50% is due 3 days prior to your first scheduled treatment day.
More about EMDR and the intensive format
Intensive EMDR therapy has shown promising results in treating PTSD and other trauma-related conditions. Studies have found that intensive EMDR, which involves multiple sessions over a short period, can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms. For instance, one study compared intensive EMDR sessions (twice daily for 10 days) with standard weekly sessions and found both formats to be effective, with the intensive approach offering faster symptom reduction and greater convenience for some patients (Frontiers) .
Another study highlighted the effectiveness of an intensive outpatient program combining EMDR with other therapies, such as prolonged exposure and physical activity. This approach yielded substantial improvements in PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety, with benefits sustained over a 12-month follow-up period (BioMed Central) .
Overall, intensive EMDR can be a viable option for individuals seeking rapid and concentrated treatment for trauma, providing significant relief and long-term benefits (Frontiers) (BioMed Central) .
Background on EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a psychotherapy approach designed to help people process and recover from traumatic experiences and distressing memories. Here are some key points about EMDR therapy:
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Developed by Francine Shapiro: EMDR was developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. She discovered that certain eye movements could reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts.
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Structured Approach: EMDR therapy involves eight phases: history-taking, client preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation. These phases help ensure that the therapy is comprehensive and tailored to the individual's needs.
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Bilateral Stimulation: A central component of EMDR is bilateral stimulation, which can involve guided eye movements, taps, or tones. This stimulation helps the brain process and integrate traumatic memories more effectively.
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Reprocessing Traumatic Memories: During EMDR sessions, clients focus on a traumatic memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation. This process is believed to help reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional impact and helping clients develop more adaptive beliefs.
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Evidence-Based: Numerous studies have shown that EMDR is effective for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions. It is recognized as an effective treatment by organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization.
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Not Just for PTSD: While EMDR is best known for its effectiveness in treating PTSD, it can also be helpful for other issues, such as anxiety, depression, phobias, and panic disorders.
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Client-Centered: EMDR therapy is client-centered, meaning that the therapist works closely with the client to ensure that they feel safe and supported throughout the process. The therapy is tailored to the client's specific needs and pace.
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Therapist Training: Proper training and certification are crucial for therapists practicing EMDR. It's important to work with a therapist who has received specialized training in EMDR techniques.