EMDR Intensives vs. Weekly Therapy: Which is Right for You?
You’ve heard about EMDR therapy. Maybe you’re already doing weekly sessions, or maybe you’ve been thinking about starting. Then you come across something new — EMDR intensives.
And suddenly you’re wondering…
What’s the difference?
Which one actually works better?
Is an intensive too much? Or exactly what I need?
The truth is, both approaches are effective — but depending on what you’re carrying (and how much space you have in your life), one might fit better than the other.
Let’s walk through what each one looks like and how to figure out which option is right for you.
First, What Exactly Is an EMDR Intensive?
An EMDR intensive is a longer-format therapy session designed to help you move through a specific issue in a condensed amount of time — usually in 2-hour, 3-hour, or full-day blocks.
Instead of seeing your therapist for 50 minutes once a week and stopping mid-process, you get extended time to go deeper, stay in the flow, and actually complete trauma processing in fewer sessions.
Therapist note:
Many clients choose intensives when they’re dealing with a specific trauma, want quicker results, or feel like weekly therapy just isn’t cutting it anymore.
So… Why Would Someone Choose an Intensive?
Here are a few reasons clients choose EMDR intensives over weekly therapy:
• You’re emotionally exhausted. You’ve been doing the work, but you still feel stuck in the same loops.
• You have limited time. Weekly therapy feels impossible to fit into your life right now.
• You’re holding something specific. A birth trauma. A medical event. A breakup. A core wound that won’t let go.
• You’re ready to make a shift — now. Not in six months. Not once your schedule opens up. Now.
• You’re used to being high-functioning… but you’re struggling quietly. And you want a deeper, more focused way to deal with it.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. And you’re not asking for too much.
What’s Weekly EMDR Like in Comparison?
Weekly EMDR therapy is great for people who:
• Prefer more gradual emotional pacing
• Are new to trauma therapy and want time to build trust
• Have flexible availability each week
• Are working through ongoing life transitions or layers of complex trauma
There’s no “wrong” way to heal — just different rhythms for different nervous systems.
🧡 “Some people need time. Others need space. EMDR gives you room for both — depending on how you want to use it.”
How Are EMDR Intensives Structured?
At my practice, intensives are personalized to your needs — and they’re not just long therapy sessions slapped together. Each one includes:
• A pre-call to get clear on what you want to work on
• A customized session plan with plenty of grounding built in
• Deep, focused EMDR resourcing and processing
• Breaks, snacks, water — because healing requires fuel
• Time at the end for integration, reflection, and what’s next
• A personalized aftercare plan to help you feel supported when you leave
You don’t just drop into a session and leave emotionally raw. You walk out knowing something shifted — and that you have tools to keep that shift going.
Want to understand what the day actually looks like?
Read: What to Expect in an EMDR Intensive: A Step-by-Step Guide →
So… Which One’s “Better”?
It depends on you.
And not in a vague, unhelpful way — but in a real, let’s look at what you need kind of way.
Choose a weekly EMDR format if:
• You want slow and steady emotional pacing
• You’re still deciding what you want to work on
• You prefer a longer-term therapeutic relationship
Choose an EMDR intensive if:
• You’re short on time but need big emotional movement
• You’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or burnt out
• You want to resolve a specific issue without dragging it out
• You need space to focus fully on you, without interruption
Still Not Sure What’s Right for You?
That’s okay. You don’t have to decide today. You don’t even have to be ready to start. All you need is curiosity — and maybe the willingness to consider that healing can happen more quickly than you thought.
👉 Let’s talk about whether an EMDR intensive or weekly therapy is a better fit. Reach out here.
You’re not too much. You’re just ready for more.
EMDR Intensives or weekly sessions—there’s no one-size-fits-all. I’ll help you choose what fits best. Book a free consultation to explore what feels right for your healing journey.
About the Author
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and mom based in Walnut Creek, California. I specialize in supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, motherhood, life transitions, and trauma. I offer in-person and virtual therapy across California, as well as EMDR therapy and EMDR intensives for deeper healing. Certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C), CBT and EMDR, I’m passionate about helping women feel seen, supported, and empowered—because you don’t have to do it alone.
Read more about me here.