EMDR Intensive NYC, NY

Dedicated EMDR Sessions with an Advanced-level I & II EMDR practitioner to heal core wounds, process trauma, break free from repetitive patterns, and unblock obstacles & limiting beliefs, helping you heal at the level of the nervous System so you can move forward with the life you deserve and desire.

Healing trauma does Not have to take a lifetime

Transform your life, and in much less time than traditional talk therapy

About EMDR Intensives

EMDR intensives are perfect for individuals who have done talk therapy but would like something more, something deeper. You’ve talked about your trauma history or significant events in weekly therapy, but you don’t feel that you’ve made the progress that you desire. You are now well aware of triggers and circumstances that cause you distress, however, these troubling experiences still live in your body, leaving you vulnerable to survival mode, fight, flight, and freeze activation. It may not be significant trauma holding you back, but rather limiting beliefs and unconscious obstacles that interfere with having a more meaningful life. EMDR intensives can help you release unconscious blocks You are an aware and self-observant individual who is finally motivated to get “unstuck” in your life. Like many New Yorkers with busy lives, you don’t have the time or energy to devote years to healing via weekly psychotherapy sessions. You are looking for therapy that is super-charged, efficient with long-lasting impact.

“With advanced training in EMDR, Intensives, and many other modalities, I can help you uncover the true root of your issue, saving you months and years of talking about your struggles without gaining the relief you need to heal.” 

Love your current therapist? Yes, let’s Collaborate with Your Current Therapist!

I don’t want to mess with a good thing. If you’re already seeing a therapist, EMDR intensives can be done alongside the great work you’re already doing, as an adjunct to those efforts. You will find that EMDR enhances the work that you do with your current therapist. You continue to see your therapist weekly, while we do deep, focused processing of specific targets for a limited amount of time.

How does science-backed, evidence-based EMDR therapy lead to healing and restoration of mind & body?

The traditional approach to talk therapy, which primarily focuses on intellectualizing or understanding one's problems, is being complemented (and in some cases, replaced) by more holistic, body-oriented, and experiential methods. Science, particularly in the fields of neuroscience and trauma studies, has shown that our past experiences, especially traumatic or unresolved ones, don't just live in our memories or thoughts—they also become stored in our bodies. These stored memories can affect our physical responses, emotions, and even our perceptions of the present.

In fact, healing often requires more than just cognitive insight. It requires engaging with our bodies, emotions, and unconscious patterns that may have developed over time as survival mechanisms. This is where modalities like somatic therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and polyvagal theory-based practices are gaining traction. They go beyond the intellectualization of experiences and tap into the deeper layers of healing that involve our physiological and emotional systems.

When we think about the ways in which our past experiences influence our present lives—whether in our relationships, our self-esteem, or our sense of purpose—it’s often not just about thinking our way out of those patterns. It's about acknowledging how those experiences are stored in our bodies and emotional systems, and then working to release, reframe, and reintegrate them in a way that allows us to live more fully in the present.

Healing, then, becomes a multi-faceted process, one that incorporates not just what we know or think but how we feel, how we move, and how we connect with others. This shift in how we understand healing challenges the old paradigm of simply "talking things through" and instead encourages a more embodied, integrated approach to self-discovery and growth.

The human brain is wired to ruminate, that’s how it keeps you safe. It’s just not always needed!

Your trauma mind keeps you looping with all kinds of fears, remembering, questions, and self-doubt. Most of these experiences get trapped in the mind and often show up as physical symptoms such as aches, pains, and mystery illnesses. The body holds many sensations and symptoms and when we connect to these sensations, we often find the healing and the wisdom. EMDR therapy connects the mind and body so that your experience feels less fragmented and more integrated. EMDR therapy as a treatment involves revisiting disturbing memories in a controlled manner along with bilateral stimulation, which is typically, tapping alternately and eye movement. It is believed that this process helps the brain reprocess traumatic experiences and encourages integration which includes a more adaptive perception and reframe. Successful EMDR helps you acknowledge the past without disturbing symptoms, empowering you to move forward in more positive ways..

what qualifies as trauma?

Perhaps you’ve heard of “big T” traumas and “little t” traumas? “Big T” trauma is what most people think of when it comes to traumatic events—things like catastrophic accidents, natural disasters, and violent crimes. “Little t” trauma refers to events that might not be as obvious but can still overwhelm our capacity to cope—events like parental divorce, switching schools, the death of a pet, and being left at summer camp. It may have been a single moment in childhood that forever changed your life, or a collection of events over time. No matter the origin of your trauma, EMDR intensives can help you rewrite the script so that you can heal and move forward with your precious life, in less time than traditional therapy.

Why choose an EMDR Intensive

  • Urgency - You’ve been participating in therapy for some time, but something has arisen that feels urgent and your current therapist does not offer EMDR Therapy. I’m delighted to work alongside your current therapy to help resolve this issue.

  • Flexibility - This working method is more suitable for many people's schedules and goals than having EMDR sessions once a week.

  • Comfort - When processing old trauma wounds, things can get stirred up. If the next session isn’t until the following week, that leaves a week of possible discomfort. With longer and more frequent sessions, we stay focussed on processing until the material feels finished.

  • Efficiency - With weekly EMDR, typically we take some time to settle in and review, and inevitably there is a pull to talk about events of the week, which takes us away from important therapy goals. When we work intensively we can stay focused on the trauma processing with less distraction.

  • Finances - The time saved in EMDR intensives translates to significant cost savings. Rather than paying for weekly therapy sessions spanning many months or years, you pay for six hours of immersive therapy which saves money compared to weekly sessions over time.

  • Relief - EMDR therapy offers rapid relief for many symptoms including anxiety, panic, phobias, nightmares, PTSD, depression, chronic pain, and emotional overwhelm. Immersive EMDR sessions offer faster results.

  • Faster - It can be enough of a challenge to maintain work and other obligations while working through trauma. EMDR processing can be briefly disruptive. Working in a concentrated way reduces the number of disrupted work days to just 1-3 days depending on your situation.

  • Deadline - You have something up and coming and you would like to resolve this traumatic memory.

what happens in an EMDR intensive?

EMDR intensive sessions offer the opportunity to address your triggers, core wounds, and trauma-related symptoms in an individualized and concentrated therapeutic manner. This structured approach facilitates and quickens the healing process in ways that weekly 50-minute psychotherapy sessions can’t. It can often be used adjunctly to accelerate your weekly therapy. After a history and goal-taking intake is completed, we design the intensive to fit your needs and goals. During the intake, we discuss your current life circumstances, triggers, external stressors, and coping mechanisms.

When we begin EMDR processing, you will experience healing, release, and relief. You will be supported to feel safe, resourced, and grounded. EMDR does not just use cognitive processing, but rather deep, mind-body-brain-nervous system healing. As an advanced, EMDRIA-trained clinician, it is my style to integrate other healing modalities into our sessions, such as Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Internal Family Systems (IFS), Positive Neuroplasticity training, and coaching. I’ve successfully synthesized these highly effective, evidence-based models to improve whole-body healing and transformation.

When we feel we have done the work together, we will meet a week later for a post-processing session to debrief and support integration to better understand how you can move forward in your life with your new and accurate, reality-based perceptions of yourself and your world.

There are many reasons why you now may need a concentrated Intensive EMDR therapy approach:

  • Require Rapid Relief - People who are experiencing severe symptoms of PTSD or trauma-related disorders and need rapid intervention to alleviate distressing symptoms may benefit from intensive EMDR. The concentrated nature of the sessions allows for quicker processing and relief. EMDR intensives can provide the stability and healing needed to move forward in your life.

  • Have Limited Availability - Individuals with busy schedules or who find it challenging to commit to regular weekly therapy sessions may find intensive EMDR more manageable. It condenses treatment into a shorter period, making it more feasible for those with time constraints. Many find that they make more progress in a handful of EMDR sessions than in years of traditional talk therapy and CBT therapy.

  • Prefer Immersive Therapy - Some individuals may prefer a more immersive therapeutic experience where they can focus intensely on their healing process over a few consecutive days or a week. This means less talking about the weak events, and more work focused on healing target problems. This immersion can help maintain focus and momentum in addressing trauma. An intensive allows clients to deeply immerse themselves in the therapeutic process without the distractions of daily life. This focused approach can help individuals gain insight, develop new coping strategies, and foster personal growth more effectively.

  • Enhanced emotional processing: The concentrated nature of intensives can facilitate more profound emotional processing and healing, enabling clients to work through complex or deeply-rooted issues more efficiently than in traditional therapy.

  • Seek Efficiency - Intensive EMDR can be appealing to those who value efficiency in their therapeutic process. It allows for comprehensive treatment in a shorter timeframe compared to traditional weekly sessions, potentially reducing overall therapy duration.

  • Desire Continuity in Care - EMDR intensives can ensure continuity in therapeutic care, minimizing breaks between sessions that might disrupt progress. This continuous care can be beneficial for maintaining momentum and preventing regression that frequently occurs in traditional psychotherapy.

Perhaps you’ve heard of “big T” traumas and “little t” traumas? “Big T” trauma is what most people think of when it comes to traumatic events—things like catastrophic accidents, natural disasters, and violent crimes. “Little t” trauma refers to events that might not be as obvious but can still overwhelm our capacity to cope—events like parental divorce, switching schools, the death of a pet, and being left at summer camp. It may have been a single moment in childhood that forever changed your life or a collection of events over time. No matter the origin of your trauma, EMDR intensives can help you rewrite the script so that you can heal and move forward with your precious life, in less time than traditional therapy.

What’s a Typical EMDR Intensive Day Like?

  1. Brief phone introduction - We will have a brief phone discussion to see if your goals are a good fit for an EMDR intensive. I will provide you with an estimated amount of time for the work. If it feels right for you, I will offer you my first opening so we can get started.

  2. Initial Intake Session - You’ll start with scheduling a free 90-minute intake consultation. We will discuss your goals for the intensive as well as identify key goals, resources, and limiting beliefs.

  3. Processing Session - A standard processing day will be 3 hours, over 3 days, typically. We identify the target memories that you would like to process. We begin the resourcing protocol and then move on to processing target memories. We’ll use the last 30 minutes or so to help you regulate.

  4. Debriefing, follow-up session - We summarize the targets that we worked on together, as well as the processing parts work and other aspects of your experience.

If this is adjunctive work, I’m happy to talk with your individual or couple therapist to discuss your experience and ongoing therapeutic goals.

How does online EMDR work with a trained trauma therapist NYC?

As an extensively trained online trauma therapist with a NYC private practice, I have found online EMDR treatments to be just as effective as in-person treatments. I supportively guide you through bilateral stimulation techniques like eye movements or alternative stimuli. We notice and talk about what comes up. You will get incredible results without reliving the trauma. The only difference is that a screen is between us. EMDRA intensives are no different. You will work to ensure that you are in a secure and comfortable environment with your pet and any snacks and beverages that you may need.

Are there safety concerns with eMDR and is it safe for me?

While generally considered safe, EMDR therapy can certainly lead to some temporary emotional discomfort and strong feelings. Many report headaches, fatigue, and experiencing vivid dreams. It's important to remember that EMDR isn't a good fit for everyone. Together we will decide if it’s a good fit for your healing journey. Individuals with complex trauma or C-PTSD will certainly need more preparation and resourcing and healing will be a much longer endeavor, not suitable virtually, and may need modifications such as a less intensive format.

EMDR intensives are a great fit for…

  • Painful memories and past experiences

  • Negative beliefs, thoughts and feelings (unworthy, unlovable, not enough)

  • Anxiety, fears, and phobias

  • Chronic sadness

  • Medical traumas and chronic pain and illness

  • Relationship patterns and dynamics

  • Grief, loss, or experiences that disturb your nervous system

  • Divorce and separation

  • Attachment wounds and betrayal

  • Recent traumatic events (EMDR intensives can help avoid experiencing PTSD)

  • Traumatic car accident, fire, or natural disaster

  • Victim of a crime, including sexual assault 

EMDR intensives are not a great fit for…

  • Individuals experiencing active suicidality

  • Individuals experiencing severe dissociation

  • Individuals who are experiencing overwhelming life stressors

Helpful strategies woven into EMDR Intensives:

  • Internal Family Systems & parts work

  • Positive Neuroplasticity

  • Positive Psychology

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Somatic exercises

  • Nervous system regulation support

  • Self-compassion exercises

  • Guided meditations

  • Breath work and resourcing

  • Energy medicine

  • Manifestation and unblocking

Ask me about more potential problems that we can tackle in an EMDR Intensive.

What does the science and research say about EMDR therapy?

Research strongly supports EMDR therapy as an effective treatment for trauma and related challenges. Studies show it can significantly reduce distressing memories, negative emotions, and somatic symptoms.

  • "EMDR therapy was determined to be an effective treatment of trauma." American Psychiatric Association (2004). Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Acute Stress Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Acute Stress Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines.

  • "EMDR therapy was placed in the "A" category as “strongly recommended” for the treatment of trauma." Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense (2004). VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Post-Traumatic Stress. Washington, DC

  • EMDR is a therapy listed in the new Department of Veterans Affairs & Department of Defense Practice Guidelines "A" category as "highly recommended" for the treatment of trauma.

  • It has received a high level of recommendation from the American Psychiatric Association and by the mental health departments of Israel, Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, and more. For a full listing, visit http://www.EMDRHAP.org/researchandresources.htm to learn more.

  • EMDR is also listed as an effective form of therapy, backed by research, on a new National Institute of Mental Health sponsored website: Check under "Adult MH Therapist for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder."

How will I pay for an EMDR Intensive?

1) Psychotherapy Intake Assessment 90 minutes/$450

2) EMDR intensive sessions 3 hours/$900

3) Follow-up psychotherapy session 30-60 minutes/$150-$300

a portion of your insurance will cover your EMDR intensive

Health insurance does not reimburse for intensives. However, the initial planning sessions and the debriefing sessions are reimbursable. Additionally, a portion of the intensive hours can also be reimbursed. I am happy to submit these sessions for you.

About NYC EMDR Therapy

This practice provides a range of psychological & wellness services in NYC and throughout NY state. The goal is to individualize treatment to your unique physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual needs. I have experience working with a broad range of symptoms and approaches in psychotherapy, including but not limited to EMDR Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Holistic Mind-Body Medicine. Therapy begins with a therapeutic consultation, where you will gather a wealth of information about your difficulties. Many people feel better after the first session. The initial consultation also lays the groundwork for future treatment as we determine the best modalities to help you heal.

NYC EMDR Therapist With Nearly 20 Years Of Experience

This practice offers supportive, compassionate, and comprehensive care, staying current on research related to mental health. I aim to use my expertise and extensive training to get you back to living your life as quickly as possible.

Book An Appointment For NYC EMDR Therapy Today

Book an appointment directly or text 212-529-8292 to get started. Integrative Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan can help you with your healing journey guiding you towards optimal mental health.