“EMDR helped me find relief I didn’t know was possible – in less time than years of talk therapy.”
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What is EMDR?
EMDR therapy is a structured, research-supported approach that helps the brain and nervous system process experiences that remain unresolved. It is commonly used for trauma, anxiety, chronic stress, and long-standing emotional patterns that do not fully respond to talk therapy alone.
Rather than focusing on insight or behavior change, EMDR works by helping experiences integrate at a nervous system level, reducing emotional intensity and improving present-day functioning.
How EMDR is different?
EMDR therapy does not require detailed retelling of painful events or homework between sessions. The focus is on helping the brain complete its natural processing, allowing distressing experiences to lose their emotional charge.
Many clients find this approach more direct and efficient than traditional talk therapy, while still moving at a pace that prioritizes safety and control.
What EMDR sessions can look like
EMDR therapy is offered in both standard sessions and extended intensives, depending on a client’s needs, goals, and capacity.
Standard (weekly) EMDR sessions typically last 50–80 minutes. Early sessions focus on assessment, goal-setting, and building the ability to regulate distress. Once ready, sessions include focused processing using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or gentle taps. Clients remain in control throughout and may pause or stop at any time.
EMDR intensives offer a longer, more immersive format. Intensives may take place over a half day or full day, with built-in breaks for rest and integration. This format allows for sustained focus, deeper processing, and continuity that is easier to achieve than in weekly sessions.
Intensives can be especially helpful for clients who:
- Want to work through a specific issue or memory cluster
- Have limited availability for weekly therapy
- Are already emotionally resourced and ready for deeper work
- Prefer a focused, goal-oriented approach
Follow-up and integration sessions are typically recommended after an intensive to support stabilization and long-term change.
Benefits of EMDR
Faster Progress: EMDR allows many clients to experience meaningful shifts in emotions and reactions in a relatively short number of sessions.
Symptom Relief: Clients frequently notice reductions in symptoms related to anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Regaining Control: This therapy can help individuals feel more in charge of their thoughts, emotions, and responses, supporting a sense of empowerment and personal power.
Greater Well-Being: By addressing and processing past experiences, EMDR can help clients find resolution and move forward, improving overall quality of life.
Pricing for EMDR Intensives
Before scheduling an EMDR Intensive, an initial evaluation and period of prep work is required to determine whether this format will be supportive for you.
This usually consists of:
- One 90-minute intake session ($250)
- One 90-minute resourcing session ($250)
These are typically one-time sessions designed to prepare you for EMDR intensive work. Once completed, you may schedule EMDR Intensives to address specific targets or broader treatment goals.
Available in person or online.
Half day
- 3 hours / $500
- Includes short breaks as needed
Full day
- 6 hours / $1000
- Includes short breaks as needed, and one 30m break
For individual talk therapy rates, please see rates listed on the Contemplative Psychotherapy page.