EMDR Intensives
An intensive delivers treatment in short period of time, with multiple EMDR sessions per day for two to three consecutive days. These treatments can occur on a weekend. New research shows that intensive therapy for trauma and stress can be extremely effective in reducing symptoms.
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Ideal candidates are those who have had a single stressful or traumatic event, such as an assault, fire or car accident.
Benefits of EMDR Intensives
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Research shows that clients completing intensive treatment can make as much progress in the condensed format as in standard weekly sessions. This can remove weeks or months of living with trauma symptoms. The intensive treatment also helps with reducing the toll trauma takes with work, relationships, marriages, parenting and general well-being.
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Sessions complete over two or three days which greatly reduces work time. At times, sessions will be scheduled over the weekend.
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While a larger upfront cost, the shorter duration of treatment can result in saving money.
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Waiting lists are long for good trauma treatment providers. Intensives have much shorter wait times, as clients are through in the same week they start.
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Intensives are being studied as a state-of-the-art modality for trauma.
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Clients who are out of town or out of state can take advantage of access to excellent treatment quickly by making only one trip to one of our offices.
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Local clients who have transportation issues or childcare concerns can also make arrangements for the single weekend. The weekend timeline removes the need to have ongoing help with children or rides to therapy.
Things to Consider
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While many clients are good candidates for an intensive, some may do better with an ongoing therapeutic relationship. Clients with long-term childhood abuse or neglect, and/or have had years of traumatic events, are usually not advised to do an intensive treatment. In some cases, exceptions are made for those currently under the care of a trusted provider. Clients with this type of history can make progress on particular parts of events. In many cases, they need to continue with their regular therapist following the intensive treatment.
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EMDR Intensives are self-pay only as insurance does not cover the cost of such intense treatment for trauma symptoms.
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Those with Medicaid would not be able to self-pay and would not be eligible for EMDR Intensives.
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Intensives are $700 per 3 hour session. Intensives range from two to three days (3 hours per day). Insurance does not cover the costs, as intensives are not part of coverage plans and there are also no insurance codes for intensives for billing. Consequently, clients cannot submit claims to insurance themselves.
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If you are from out of town, typically, it is recommended that you schedule your travel into town on a Thursday and out - of town on Monday morning, in order to give yourself time to digest and decompress before, between and after sessions.
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WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?
If something comes up and you are unable to attend your Intensive, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss rescheduling. Rescheduling will not affect your deposit or payment. If you need to cancel your Intensive entirely, any deposit and assessment fees already paid will be returned minus your assessment fees and a flat $500 cancellation fee.
EMDR Intensives Structure
Preparation Phase
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Your therapist will do an assessment first.
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Your therapist may also provide you with written assessment materials prior to the appointment (usually a list of several questions). Using this assessment will help define targets for EMDR and your goals, while gathering additional information about your background and history. Additionally, your therapist will also want to view relevant previous mental health records, and staff with your current therapist (if you have one).
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​Treatment Phase
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The treatment phase of the intensive is usually three sessions per day over a weekend. There will be breaks in between for meals, rest and self-care.
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Your therapist will provide you with a list of suggested activities that help re-regulate your nervous system after sessions. These activities include massage therapists, nature hiking areas, and other options. Other activities in Galax or Abingdon also include many good restaurants and local events around town.
EMDR Effectiveness
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Some studies show that 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have post-traumatic stress disorder after only three sessions.
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One study, funded by the HMO Kaiser Permanente, found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims no longer were diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) after only six sessions.
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In another study, 77% of combat veterans were free of PTSD in 12 sessions.
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EMDR is recognized as an effective form of treatment for trauma and other disturbing experiences by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization and the Department of Defense.
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EMDR is also effective for people not diagnosed with PTSD but are still impacted by painful memories.