1- or 2-Day EMDR Trauma Intensives

For individuals ready to move beyond weekly therapy and engage in focused, accelerated trauma processing.

Traditional therapy moves at a steady pace. For some clients — particularly those with specific trauma targets or long-standing patterns — a concentrated format allows for deeper momentum, greater continuity, and meaningful relief.

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Full-Day EMDR Intensive (5 Hours + 1 Hour lunch break)

Each intensive day includes approximately 5 hours of structured therapeutic work, thoughtfully paced to support deep trauma processing while protecting nervous system regulation and emotional stability.

The day is intentionally designed in extended segments with restorative breaks built in for grounding, integration, and reflection.

A full-day immersive format allows for:

• Sustained processing without the start-and-stop of weekly sessions
• Completion of targeted trauma themes
• Deeper emotional integration
• Greater therapeutic continuity
• Stabilization before concluding the day

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Two-Day EMDR Intensive (10 Hours Total)

For clients seeking more comprehensive trauma resolution, a two-day intensive provides approximately 10 total hours of structured work across two consecutive days.

This format offers:

• Extended trauma processing time
• Structured targeting of core memories or recurring themes
• Nervous system regulation and stabilization support
• Breakthrough work in a contained therapeutic environment
• Pre-intensive planning and preparation
• Post-intensive integration recommendations

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What a Full Day Typically Looks Like

• 90–120 minute processing block
• Short restorative break
• Additional focused processing
• Midday integration break (lunch)
• Final consolidation and nervous system regulation

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Ideal For:

• Single-incident trauma
• Complex trauma themes ready for focused work
• Anxiety rooted in past experiences
• High-functioning professionals who prefer time-limited, immersive support
• Clients traveling from out of state

Location: In-person in West Des Moines or secure telehealth (when appropriate)

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Intensives are appropriate for clients who are psychologically stable and not in active crisis. A screening consultation is required prior to scheduling.

To explore whether an EMDR Intensive is a good fit, please request a consultation.

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1- or 2-Day Marriage Crisis & Affair Recovery Intensives

When a relationship reaches a breaking point, weekly therapy can feel too slow.

Whether you are navigating infidelity, betrayal, escalating conflict, or uncertainty about the future of your marriage, a concentrated intensive provides structured space to slow the chaos and begin meaningful repair.

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Couples in crisis often experience:

• Emotional volatility
• Repetitive conflict cycles
• Loss of trust
• Heightened anxiety and hypervigilance
• Fear about the future

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An intensive creates a contained environment to address these dynamics directly and intentionally.

Unlike weekly sessions, this format allows for:

• Immediate stabilization
• Structured communication work
• Accountability and clarity
• Processing of relational injury
• Decision-making support
• A concrete path forward

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Format Options

One-Day Intensive (5 Hours)
Designed for crisis stabilization, clarity, and immediate direction.

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Two-Day Intensive (10 Hours Total)
Provides extended time for emotional processing, accountability work, and structured repair planning.

Each day is thoughtfully paced with breaks to prevent overwhelm and protect emotional regulation.

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Appropriate For

• Couples in the immediate aftermath of infidelity
• Partners experiencing high-conflict patterns
• Couples considering separation or divorce
• Relationships in prolonged distress
• High-functioning couples seeking structured intervention

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Marriage crisis intensives are not about forcing reconciliation. They are about creating a safe, focused container to determine what healing or next steps look like.

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Why Choose an Intensive?

Traditional weekly therapy is valuable — but some situations benefit from a different structure.

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An intensive provides:

• Focused momentum without interruption
• Deeper emotional processing in a contained setting
• Fewer weeks spent revisiting the same crisis dynamics
• Clear direction and next steps
• Reduced emotional fragmentation from session to session

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For many individuals and couples, a concentrated format creates clarity faster than weekly sessions alone.

Intensives are especially helpful when:

• A crisis feels urgent
• You are traveling from out of town
• Weekly therapy has plateaued
• You want structured, time-limited work
• You prefer immersive, focused support

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Investment

Intensives are private pay services and are not billed to insurance.

One-Day Intensive (5 Hours): $2,000
Two-Day Intensive (10 Hours Total): $3,500

Full payment is required at the time of booking in order to reserve intensive dates and is non-refundable.

Due to the depth of preparation and follow-up involved, a limited number of intensives (2 per month) are scheduled to ensure focused, high-quality care.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is an intensive appropriate for everyone?
No. Intensives are appropriate for clients who are psychologically stable and able to tolerate extended emotional processing. 

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Will this replace weekly therapy?
For some clients, an intensive jump-starts progress and is followed by periodic follow-up sessions. For others, it complements ongoing therapy.

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Do you accept insurance for intensives?
Intensives are private pay and not billed to insurance.

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What if we are unsure whether to stay together?
Intensives are not designed to force reconciliation. They provide a structured space to gain clarity and make intentional decisions.

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Can we travel in from out of state?
Yes. Many clients choose intensives when traveling is more practical than ongoing weekly sessions.

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How do I know if I am a good candidate for an EMDR Intensive?
Intensives are appropriate for individuals who are psychologically stable, able to tolerate extended emotional processing, and motivated for focused trauma work. A screening consultation is required to determine readiness and appropriateness.

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Is EMDR safe to do for five hours in one day?
Yes, when properly structured. The day is intentionally paced with extended processing blocks and built-in breaks to support nervous system regulation. The goal is depth with stability — not emotional overwhelm.

 

Will this be emotionally overwhelming?
Intensives are designed to allow meaningful processing while protecting emotional regulation. Stabilization and grounding are integrated throughout the day. Clients are screened to ensure readiness for this format.

 

Do I need to prepare beforehand?
Yes. A pre-intensive planning process helps identify target memories, themes, and goals so that the day is focused and structured. You will receive guidance prior to your scheduled intensive.

 

Will I need follow-up sessions?
Many clients benefit from follow-up integration sessions after an intensive. Some continue periodic therapy, while others schedule additional intensive work if appropriate.

 

What if I become emotionally dysregulated after the intensive?
Time is intentionally built in at the end of each day for stabilization and integration. You will also receive recommendations for aftercare and follow-up support if needed.