EMDR Intensives

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Experience Deep Healing with EMDR Intensives

At RAFT Counseling, we understand that healing from trauma and enhancing performance can take time—time that many of us simply don't have in our busy lives. As an alternative, we offer EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Intensives, a unique approach to therapy that allows you to make significant progress in just one to three days, rather than over several weeks of standard sessions.

What is the difference between an intensive and a regular session?

EMDR Intensives are extended EMDR therapy sessions designed to help you achieve profound healing quickly and efficiently. These sessions can be completed in one day or spread over three days, providing a concentrated therapeutic experience that delves deeply into the root of your issues. Unlike traditional EMDR sessions, which typically last 53 minutes and occur weekly, intensives allow for a more thorough and uninterrupted process.

 

Benefits of EMDR Intensives:

Time Efficiency: Achieve in days what would normally take weeks or months. EMDR Intensives are suitable for anyone looking to make significant therapeutic progress in a short period. The format is ideal for those with busy schedules who may not have the time for weekly therapy sessions but need immediate and effective results.

Deep Healing: Address the core of your trauma or performance blocks without the interruptions of regular sessions.

Fast and Long-Lasting Change: Make significant progress and experience lasting relief from your symptoms. The benefits of EMDR Intensives include the ability to delve deeply into issues, time efficiency, and the potential for lasting change in a relatively short period. These sessions provide a concentrated and supportive environment for healing and personal growth.

Connect for EMDR today

 

Who Can Benefit from EMDR Intensives?

EMDR Intensives are designed to provide deep, focused therapeutic work over a short period. They can be particularly beneficial for various individuals, including those dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, phobias, and sports performance. At RAFT Counseling, we specialize in intensives in two different areas of rapid change: Trauma and Sports Performance. Individuals working with us have goals focused in these areas:

  • Trauma processing and PTSD
  • Sports performance and Performance enhancement

 

 Why Choose RAFT Counseling? Schedule a Consultation

We offer a free 30-minute consultation with Amanda Turecek for those interested in EMDR Intensives. This consultation will help you understand the process, address any questions you may have, and determine if this intensive approach is the right fit for you. Reach out today to schedule your consultation and take the first step towards healing.

Our team at RAFT Counseling includes trained EMDR therapists who are dedicated to helping you reach your goals. We provide a supportive and personalized approach to therapy, ensuring that you receive the best possible care. Amanda Turecek, currently offering intensives at RAFT Counseling, is a Certified EMDR Therapist and an EMDR Consultant in Training. Her expertise and commitment to client success make her an excellent guide on your journey to healing and improvement.

Ready to start your journey towards healing and improvement? Contact us today to learn more about our EMDR Intensives and schedule your session. 

Intensives for Sports Performance

Athletes and professionals aiming to enhance their performance can benefit from EMDR Intensives. These sessions help to overcome mental blocks, improve focus, and enhance overall performance by addressing underlying stressors, self-doubt, and performance anxiety. EMDR Intensives provide a powerful tool for athletes and professionals looking to enhance their performance. Athletes and professionals often face high-pressure environments where peak performance is crucial. EMDR Intensives can be particularly beneficial for those aiming to enhance their performance, overcome mental barriers, and achieve their goals. Here’s how:

  • Overcoming Mental Blocks: Athletes and professionals can encounter mental blocks that hinder their performance. These blocks can be rooted in past failures, injuries, or negative experiences. EMDR Intensives help identify and reprocess these experiences, allowing individuals to release the negative emotions and beliefs associated with them. By clearing these mental obstacles, they can perform more freely and confidently.
  • Improving Focus: Maintaining focus under pressure is vital for success in sports and professional settings. EMDR Intensives help individuals develop better concentration by addressing underlying distractions, anxieties, or stressors. This improved focus enables them to stay present and engaged in their activities, leading to enhanced performance.
  • Enhancing Overall Performance: The holistic approach of EMDR Intensives addresses not only specific performance issues but also broader psychological factors that impact performance. By working through self-doubt, performance anxiety, and other stressors, individuals can achieve a more balanced and optimal state of mind, contributing to overall better performance.
  • Addressing Underlying Stressors: High achievers often carry significant stress and pressure, which can affect their performance. EMDR Intensives provide a space to process and alleviate these stressors, leading to improved mental resilience and stability. This reduction in stress can have a positive impact on both their professional and personal lives.
  • Building Confidence: Confidence is a key component of successful performance. EMDR Intensives help individuals reframe negative self-beliefs and reinforce positive self-perceptions. This boost in confidence can translate to more assertive and assured performances in their respective fields.
  • Managing Performance Anxiety: Performance anxiety can be debilitating, causing individuals to underperform or avoid high-pressure situations altogether. EMDR Intensives address the root causes of performance anxiety, helping individuals develop healthier responses to stress and pressure. This enables them to approach their performance with a calmer and more composed mindset.
  • Tailored to Individual Needs: EMDR Intensives are highly customizable, allowing therapists to tailor the sessions to the specific needs and goals of the athlete or professional. This personalized approach ensures that the interventions are relevant and effective, leading to better outcomes.
  • Quick and Effective Results: The intensive format allows for rapid progress, which can be particularly beneficial for those with demanding schedules. Athletes preparing for a competition or professionals gearing up for a significant project can benefit from the quick and effective results that EMDR Intensives offer.

Intensives for Trauma and PTSD

EMDR Intensives are particularly effective for individuals who have experienced traumatic events and are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Trauma can leave a profound impact on a person's life, causing distressing symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and intrusive thoughts. Traditional weekly therapy sessions can be beneficial, but the intensive format of EMDR Intensives offers several unique advantages:

  • Concentrated Sessions: EMDR Intensives involve longer and more frequent sessions, often spanning several hours over the course of one to three days. This concentrated approach allows for continuous and uninterrupted therapeutic work, enabling clients to stay deeply engaged in the healing process without the disruption of time gaps between sessions.
  • Efficient Processing of Traumatic Memories: The extended duration of EMDR Intensive sessions provides ample time to process and integrate traumatic memories more thoroughly. Clients can work through multiple layers of trauma, addressing both the core traumatic events and the associated negative beliefs and emotions, leading to more comprehensive healing.
  • Reduced Symptom Disturbance: Traditional therapy sessions may sometimes leave clients feeling unsettled between appointments. EMDR Intensives minimize this by allowing clients to achieve a more stable state before concluding the intensive period. This can result in a smoother and more continuous path to recovery.
  • Enhanced Therapeutic Alliance: The immersive nature of EMDR Intensives fosters a stronger therapeutic alliance between the client and therapist. The extended time spent together creates a deeper level of trust and rapport.
  • Tailored and Focused Interventions: EMDR Intensives allow for highly individualized and targeted interventions. Therapists can tailor the sessions to address the specific needs and trauma history of each client, ensuring that the therapeutic work is impactful.
  • Immediate and Lasting Results: Many clients experience significant relief from trauma symptoms and noticeable improvements in their overall well-being after just a few intensive sessions. The accelerated progress can be especially beneficial for those who need rapid results due to personal, professional, or situational demands.

FAQs

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy that helps people overcome past traumas and difficult experiences. By using various techniques, such as tracking the therapist's fingers, following a light bar with your eyes, or using hand-held tappers and tones, EMDR helps desensitize negative emotions and reprocess traumatic memories. This process allows for the development of new, healthier coping strategies and a more positive outlook.

EMDR Intensives are extended therapy sessions designed to provide concentrated and focused treatment using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These sessions typically last several hours over one to three days, allowing for deep and efficient processing of trauma, anxiety, and other psychological issues.

Traditional EMDR therapy usually involves weekly sessions for 53 minutes. In contrast, EMDR Intensives consist of longer sessions over a few days, allowing for uninterrupted and deeper therapeutic work. This format can lead to faster and more comprehensive results.

During an EMDR Intensive, you will work closely with your therapist to identify and process distressing memories and beliefs. The sessions will include the use of bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) to facilitate the reprocessing of traumatic memories. The structure and pace of the sessions will be tailored to your specific needs and goals.

Insurance providers do not cover EMDR Intensives. Most insurance plans cover standard 53-minute sessions, sometimes allowing for sessions twice per week. If you need to use your insurance benefits, it’s best to discuss traditional session options with your therapist, as EMDR Intensives are self-pay only.

The duration of an EMDR Intensive can vary depending on individual needs and goals. Typically, sessions may last anywhere from a few hours to several days. Common formats include 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day intensives, with multiple hours of therapy each day. The best option for you can be discussed during a consultation with your therapist. Please use the form above to schedule a consultation.

While EMDR is generally considered safe, some individuals may experience increased emotional sensitivity or discomfort as they process traumatic memories. It's important to discuss any concerns with your therapist, who can provide support and strategies to manage these reactions.

After an EMDR Intensive, it's important to give yourself time to rest and reflect on the work you've done. Self-care activities, such as relaxation techniques, journaling, and gentle physical exercise, can be helpful. Your therapist may also provide follow-up sessions or check-ins to support your ongoing progress.

Many individuals experience significant relief and noticeable improvements after one EMDR Intensive. The rapid progress can be particularly beneficial for those needing immediate results due to personal or professional demands. However, the timeline for results can vary based on individual circumstances and the complexity of the issues being addressed.

Yes, EMDR Intensives can be conducted virtually through secure video conferencing platforms. This allows for flexibility and accessibility, especially for those who may not be able to attend in-person sessions. It's important to ensure a private and comfortable setting for virtual intensives. If this is not possible, in office EMDR Intensives are always recommended.

EMDR Intensives can be an excellent option if you are seeking rapid and profound therapeutic progress. They may be suitable if you have a specific issue you want to address intensively, or if traditional weekly sessions haven't provided the desired results. Connect with us using the form above to schedule a consultation and we can help determine if this approach is right for you. 

During an EMDR session, you will focus on a troubling event or memory while following the motions of your therapist's fingers or a light bar. This bilateral stimulation helps your brain process, enabling you to process your experiences in a safe and controlled environment. At RAFT Counseling, our skilled therapists will tailor the approach to suit your needs, using various techniques to ensure your comfort and effectiveness of the therapy.

In addition to treating trauma, EMDR can be used for positive processing and performance enhancement. Athletes and professionals can benefit from EMDR by reframing negative events and enhancing positive connections, ultimately improving their performance and mindset.