Weekly EMDR Therapy vs. EMDR Intensives: Which is Right for you?
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As we enter a new year, many of us reflect on what's been weighing on us and wonder how to move forward. January often brings both hope for change and awareness of what's been holding us back. If you're considering therapy, you might be asking yourself: Should I commit to weekly sessions, or would a focused EMDR intensive better support my goals?
Both formats can be transformative, but the right choice depends on your schedule, needs, and readiness for deep work. This guide will help you understand the differences and decide which approach may be the best fit for you.
What Weekly EMDR Therapy Offers
Weekly EMDR sessions are a steady, consistent way to process distressing experiences, old patterns, and trauma over time. This format works well for people who want gradual, sustained support and the opportunity to practice new coping strategies between sessions.
Weekly therapy may be a good fit if you:
Prefer a slower, steady pace of healing
Want ongoing support for relational or emotional challenges
Are exploring multiple experiences or patterns at once
Appreciate having time between sessions to reflect, practice coping strategies, and integrate changes
Weekly therapy is highly effective for building long-term resilience and emotional regulation. Many clients start with weekly sessions and eventually choose an EMDR intensive when they're ready to focus more deeply on a specific experience.
Learn more about weekly EMDR therapy
What EMDR Intensives Offer
EMDR intensives provide concentrated, immersive sessions that allow you to process specific experiences or patterns in a shorter timeframe. Instead of waiting between appointments, you have dedicated blocks of time to work deeply, helping momentum build and shifts happen more quickly.
Intensives may be a good fit if you:
Have a busy schedule that makes weekly sessions difficult
Want to address a specific event, memory, or pattern directly
Have done therapy before and already have coping tools in place
Are navigating a life transition and want focused support
EMDR intensives are not "faster therapy" for the sake of speed. They're a focused, safe container for processing what has been holding you back.
Explore EMDR intensives
How to Decide Which Format Is Right for You
Choosing between weekly therapy and an intensive isn't always obvious. Ask yourself:
How much time can I realistically commit right now?
Do I need ongoing support or concentrated, immersive processing?
Am I emotionally ready and supported enough for an intensive?
Which approach aligns with my current goals and life circumstances?
Sometimes the best choice is to start with weekly therapy and add an intensive later. Other times, an intensive is the right first step. Either way, a consultation can help clarify what will work best for you.
Take the Next Step
If you're wondering which approach fits your goals, scheduling an EMDR consultation is your next step. During this conversation, we'll explore:
Your readiness for therapy
Whether weekly sessions or an intensive is the best fit
What focused EMDR work could look like for you
