If you're considering an EMDR Intensive, you might be wondering what the experience will actually feel like. Let me walk you through what your day will look like and what you can expect every step of the way.

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Arriving & Setting the Stage

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When you arrive, we won’t jump straight into deep work. Instead, we’ll ease in, set the tone, and make sure you feel grounded.

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What you’ll experience:

• We’ll check in about what brought you here and what you’re hoping to get out of today.

• I’ll introduce some simple grounding techniques to help you feel calm and safe.

• You might feel a little nervous or excited—both are totally normal! You are in control of this process, and I’ll be here to support you every step of the way.

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Phase 1: Understanding Your Story

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Before we dive into processing, we’ll talk about your history—both the big and small moments that have shaped you. You don’t have to share every detail, just enough for us to identify what needs healing.

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What you’ll experience:

• We’ll explore patterns and past experiences that might still be affecting you today.

• I’ll help you pinpoint specific memories or beliefs that we’ll target with EMDR.

• You’ll likely have some aha! moments as you start connecting the dots between past and present.

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You might feel some emotions surface, but don’t worry—I’ll guide you through it, and we’ll go at a pace that feels right for you.

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Phase 2: Preparation & Resourcing

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This is where we make sure you have everything you need to feel safe, supported, and in control before we start processing.

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What you’ll experience:

• You’ll learn tools to regulate your emotions, such as deep breathing or visualization.

• We’ll install a "Safe Place" in your mind—a calming space you can return to at any time.

• If emotions feel overwhelming, you’ll have strategies to manage them.

 

By the end of this phase, you’ll feel ready and empowered to move into the deeper work.

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Phases 3-6: Reprocessing Your Pain

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This is the heart of the intensive—where your brain does the real work of healing. Using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues), you’ll process a targeted memory without having to relive it.

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What you’ll experience:

• You’ll focus on a specific memory that’s connected to your distress.

• We’ll activate your brain’s natural healing ability, allowing you to release stuck emotions.

• The memory may start to shift, feel distant, or lose its emotional charge.

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You might notice:

• New insights ("Wow, I never realized how much this affected me.")

• A sense of emotional relief as the distress fades

• Unexpected changes in the memory itself—it may seem less intense or feel like it happened to someone else.

 

You are always in control. If anything feels too intense, we slow down. If your brain leads you in a different direction, we follow it. Trust the process—your mind knows what it needs to heal.

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Phase 7: Closing & Grounding

 

After deep processing, we won’t just end the session abruptly. We’ll take time to bring you back to the present and ensure you leave feeling stable and at peace.

 

What you’ll experience:

• A check-in about how you feel after the work we’ve done

• A guided grounding exercise to reset and restore balance

• Reflection on the shifts you’ve noticed—big or small

 

Most people feel lighter, more relaxed, and emotionally clear after this phase. Some feel tired, which is completely normal—your brain has done a lot of work!

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Phase 8: What Comes Next?

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Before you leave, we’ll talk about how to integrate the work you’ve done so you can continue feeling the benefits.

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What you’ll experience:

• I’ll share simple practices to help your brain solidify the new, positive shifts.

• We’ll discuss any follow-up support you might need.

• You’ll leave knowing exactly what to expect in the coming days.

 

Some people notice continued processing—dreams, memories surfacing, or new perspectives emerging. This is a good thing! It means your brain is still working behind the scenes.

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How You’ll Feel After an EMDR Intensive

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By the end of the day, you may feel:

• Lighter and more at peace—like a weight has lifted

• Emotionally exhausted but in a good way—your brain has been busy healing

• More connected to yourself—with a clearer understanding of your emotions and patterns

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Most importantly, you’ll know that real change is happening. What once felt overwhelming or painful may no longer have power over you.

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Why an Intensive?

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This approach lets you:

• Make rapid progress instead of waiting weeks or months for relief

• Stay in the flow of healing without the start-and-stop of weekly therapy

• Experience deep, meaningful transformation in a safe and supportive space

 

If you’re ready to experience real healing in a focused, effective way, I’d love to support you. Reach out today to see if an EMDR Intensive is right for you.