5 Reasons to Try an EMDR Intensive or an EMDR Retreat
EMDR Intensives and EMDR Retreats are gaining momentum and popularity across the world. These specialty services were around prior to the pandemic but with the rise of trauma since the pandemic they have gained traction. The need for mental health treatment and in particular trauma treatment has exploded in the last several years and it does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon. EMDR Intensives and Retreats are great for folks who don't feel like they are getting better fast enough in regular weekly therapy sessions, who feel triggered and overwhelmed most of the time, who have “talked” about their trauma and now need help working through it, for those who know their relationships and lives are really struggling as a result of trauma and need some relief and healing and for clients referred by their current therapist for adjunctive EMDR therapy.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Resprocessign) therapy is a brain and body-based intervention to help you process trauma. EMDR Therapy Intensives and Retreats can be helpful for a wide range of issues including: Recent Traumatic Events (within days or months to avoid experiencing PTSD), Traumatic car accident, fire or natural disaster, man made disasters (including gun violence), Victim of a crime (including sexual assaults), Grief and Loss (recent and past grief), Post-Traumatic Stress (first responders/frontline workers), Early Childhood Trauma using the (ETP) Early Trauma Protocol for EMDR, EMDR for Phobias, EMDR with Couples and EMDR with Eating Disorders.
Here are 5 Reasons to Try an EMDR Intensive or an EMDR Retreat.
1. EMDR Intensives and Retreats Save Time
EMDR Intensives and Retreats offer clients an opportunity for a concentrated time to process trauma and distressing life events. Having more than a regular 50-minute session, which is the standard length of a therapy session, allows for more time to process memories with EMDR Therapy. EMDR Intensives are scheduled for 4 hours (a half day) or 8 hours (a full day). EMDR Retreats are 8 hours (a full day of EMDR therapy) combined with holistic treatments such as- massage, acupuncture, yoga or Neurofeedback.
EMDR Intensives and Retreats may be single day sessions or scheduled for multiple days either in a row or several days apart. The number of days needed for an EMDR Intensive depends on the extent of the clients trauma and their goals for treatment. Typically for thorough processing and resolution of symptoms most people benefit by multiple days. Our therapists will assess your needs and design a personalized program for you! These extended periods of time allow for thorough processing. EMDR Intensives and Retreats are perfect for busy parents who struggle to find regular childcare, for professionals who don't want to miss work regularly to attend a therapy session, for First Responders and Frontline workers who have scheduling issues with work and for anyone else who does not have a lot of time to do weekly therapy sessions. EMDR Intensives provide a time effective approach to working through distressing life events and getting relief fast!
2. EMDR Intensives and Retreats Save You Money
Because of the extra time that is allotted with EMR Intensives and Retreats therapists can process multiple memories that are impacting the client’s symptoms. The ability for the therapist to get to the “root cause” of the symptoms negatively impacting the client can help the client make significant progress. The benefit to the client is they may no longer need weekly sessions or long-term therapy. In the long run EMDR Intensives and Retreats can help clients save money by not needing long term therapy to feel better.
3. EMDR Intensives and Retreats are Effective
EMDR therapy is a research based psychotherapy that was discovered in the mid 1980’s and has been shown to be highly effective. Emerging research supports the effectiveness of EMDR Intensives for both acute symptoms such as PTSD caused by a recent traumatic event as well as Complex PTSD caused by past trauma including child abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, sexual trauma etc. Further research supports the effectiveness of working with Veterans with PTSD and PTSD with other Co-Occurring Disorders.
Our trauma informed therapists have advanced EMDR training and skills in various EMDR protocols and can effectively work with a wide range of presentations of trauma including working with dissociation in clients. They provide a thorough trauma informed assessment as part of their Intake process and lead clients through stabilization skills prior to beginning their treatment. They fully explain the process to you and check in regularly with you so that you are comfortable at all times. To help with effectiveness our therapists incorporate breaks during the Intensives for grounding and movement as well as time for journaling, snacks, a nourishing lunch, water and tea. In addition, our EMDR Intensive Retreats incorporates holistic services of massage, acupuncture, yoga or Neurofeedback either before the EMDR Intensive begins, during a lunch break or at the end of the day.
4. EMDR Intensives and Retreats Promote Resiliency
Resolving trauma, both current and past helps clients to heal and promotes overall wellness. Our bodies are designed to heal both physically and emotionally. EMDR therapy assists in this healing process. EMDR Intensives are powerful at processing through large portions of the traumatic material affecting the client and in doing so creates Post Traumatic Growth. PTG (Post Traumatic Growth) improves resilience in dealing with everyday stress and changes the trajectory of how the brain and body repeats old patterns of trauma. EMDR Intensive Retreats incorporates holistic treatments for the body including; massage, acupuncture, yoga and Neurofeedback. These holistic treatments further support the nervous system in its regulation and healing thereby increasing a client's resilience to stress and future traumatic events.
5. EMDR Intensives and Retreats Change Beliefs and Improve Relationships
With the use of EMDR Intensives and Retreats clients can break lifelong patterns in the way they relate to themselves, others, and the world. EMDR therapy addresses deep rooted beliefs that have been caused by traumatic experiences. Some common beliefs as a result of trauma include: “I am unlovable,” “I am unworthy,” “I am a failure,” etc. Addressing these core beliefs and the memories that are associated with them can be liberating for clients and allow them to live their life more freely which oftentimes means developing closer and more connected relationships with others.
Why wait any longer! Feeling overwhelmed and exhausted is no way to live. To learn more about our EMDR Intensives and EMDR Retreat offerings click here. To see if EMDR Intensives or EMDR Retreats are a good fit for you please call our office at 360-828-1429 to complete a Pe-screening form and to set up a free consultation with one of our EMDR therapists.