Absolutely. You don’t have to leave a therapist you love in order to access EMDR.

EMDR intensives can be used as adjunctive therapy, meaning you continue your ongoing work with your current therapist while we focus on a specific trauma, memory, belief, or stuck point. With your permission, I can also collaborate with your therapist so the work we do fits thoughtfully into your ongoing therapy.

Once our focused EMDR work is complete, you can continue processing and integrating with the therapist who already knows you well.

EMDR intensives are available in person at my office in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, as well as virtually for clients throughout Illinois when telehealth is clinically appropriate.

If we meet in person, you’ll have a comfortable, private space where we can use different forms of bilateral stimulation and build in breaks, movement, and grounding throughout the intensive.

If we meet virtually, we can use guided eye movements, alternating sounds, or self-tapping from the comfort of your own space. Before your intensive, we’ll talk about how to set things up so you have privacy, minimal interruptions, and everything you need nearby.

Not sure which format makes the most sense? We can talk it through during your consultation and decide together based on your needs and the work you’re hoping to do.

Everyone responds differently. You might leave feeling lighter, clearer, tired, emotional, reflective or some combination of all of the above.

Your brain may also continue processing after the session ends. You might notice new insights, emotions, body sensations, memories, or even more vivid dreams over the next few days. And that isn’t a bad thing. It’s simply part of your brain continuing to make connections after our work together.

I recommend giving yourself baked in breathing room after an intensive when possible. This probably isn’t the day to schedule a high-stakes work meeting immediately afterward. Give yourself some time to rest, hydrate, eat something, move your body, and notice what you need.

Think: rest + recharge after.

EMDR intensives can be powerful, but they aren’t the right fit for everyone or for every season of therapy.

If you’re currently in crisis, experiencing significant instability, or need more support developing coping skills and feeling safe before beginning trauma processing, a traditional therapy format may be a better place to start.

There are also times when we may decide that more preparation and stabilization are needed before an intensive, and that’s okay. Trauma work isn’t about pushing yourself to be “ready.” Part of our initial consultation is making sure this approach feels appropriate and supportive for where you are right now.

A 50% deposit is required to reserve an intensive date.

The remaining balance is due 24 hours before the intensive.

Because intensives require significant schedule blocking, the deposit is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days‍ of the intensive.

You can reschedule with appropriate notice and apply your deposit to a new date one time as a courtesy.

You can use HSAs/FSAs, credit cards, or ACH transfer to pay for an intensive.

EMDR intensives are a more concentrated, highly individualized approach to therapy that requires additional preparation, planning, and clinical energy beyond the time we spend together.

Unlike traditional weekly sessions, intensives involve thoughtful assessment, customized treatment planning, and dedicated time outside of our sessions to ensure the experience is intentional, effective, and tailored to your needs. The extended format also requires a different level of sustained focus and clinical attention.

At $225/hour (compared to my standard $185/session rate), intensives are a premium service designed for those who want to dedicate focused time and energy to deeper therapeutic work in a condensed format.

Absolutely! EMDR intensives are flexible and can be tailored to your goals, needs, and pace.

For some people, one intensive is sufficient. Others may benefit from a multi-day intensive or several intensives focused on different memories, themes, or treatment goals.

You can also complete one intensive, give the work some time to settle, and return later if there’s more you’d like to explore. In fact, allowing time between intensives can give you a chance to notice new insights, shifts, or connections as your brain continues to process and integrate the work.

There’s no prescribed schedule or “right” way to do it. We’ll decide together what makes sense based on what you’re working toward and how the process unfolds.

Yes! You don’t have to live in Illinois to come to Chicago for an in-person EMDR intensive.

If you live out of state, you can travel to my office in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood for a focused EMDR intensive. Depending on your goals, you might come in for a single intensive, schedule multiple days while you’re in Chicago, or return for additional intensives over time.

If you’re traveling for an intensive, I recommend building in some breathing room afterward. EMDR processing can continue after the session ends, so having time to rest, grab a meal, take a walk, or simply let things settle can be an important part of the experience.

We’ll talk through your goals, preparation, and aftercare ahead of time so you know what to expect before making the trip.

As a courtesy, I offer a 10% discount for those who need to travel for an intensive.