EMDR Intensive vs. Weekly EMDR Therapy: How Do You Choose?
If you’re considering EMDR, you may be wondering whether to schedule regular therapy sessions or an EMDR intensive. Both can involve EMDR. The difference is the structure, the amount of time you spend together at once, and how the work is planned around your goals.
You don’t have to choose before talking with a therapist. Here’s what each option can look like and what to consider.
What does weekly EMDR therapy look like?
In weekly therapy, you meet with your therapist on a regular schedule, usually for a standard psychotherapy appointment. Your therapist gets to know your history, helps you prepare for the work, and collaborates with you on when and how to process difficult experiences. Some sessions may include EMDR; others may focus on what’s happening in your life, grounding skills, or what came up after a previous session.
Weekly therapy may be a good fit if you want ongoing support, are working through several concerns, or prefer time between appointments to reflect on what you notice.
What is an EMDR intensive?
An EMDR intensive gives you and your therapist a longer, dedicated block of time to focus on a specific experience, belief, or emotional pattern. It’s thoughtfully planned around your goals, history, and what feels manageable for you. The goal isn’t to rush the process. It’s to make room for focused work with fewer interruptions.
At Third Wave, you begin with a consultation. Your therapist asks what you hope to work through, reviews relevant symptoms and history, discusses previous therapy or EMDR experience, and helps identify a starting point. You don’t need to remember every detail or arrive knowing exactly what to focus on. Your therapist may suggest reflection prompts or exercises before your appointment.
During an intensive, you’ll have time to settle in and review the plan. EMDR may involve guided eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds. You remain awake and aware; you can pause or take a break at any time, and you don’t have to share every detail out loud. Your therapist checks in and adjusts the pace as needed. Depending on the length of the appointment, breaks may be built in.
An intensive may be worth discussing if you have a specific focus, feel stuck despite understanding an issue intellectually, or find it hard to schedule ongoing weekly appointments. It can be a focused experience on its own or part of a longer treatment plan. You don’t have to be a current Third Wave client to participate.
Is an intensive more effective than weekly therapy?
Neither format guarantees a particular result. Some people notice a meaningful shift after one intensive; others benefit from additional sessions or ongoing therapy. A longer appointment also asks more of your time and energy that day. Your therapist can help you decide whether concentrated work is appropriate for your goals and current circumstances.
After an intensive, you may feel tired, emotional, relieved, or reflective. New thoughts or memories may come up afterward. Third Wave recommends keeping the rest of the day as open and low pressure as possible. Your therapist will discuss grounding strategies, individualized recommendations, and whether a follow-up appointment would be useful.
How do cost and insurance differ?
EMDR within a standard psychotherapy appointment may sometimes be covered by insurance, depending on your plan and clinician. Third Wave’s EMDR intensives are specialized private-pay services. Because the intensive is structured differently and there is no insurance billing code designed for that service, we do not submit intensives to insurance, regardless of appointment length. Our team will review the full cost with you before scheduling.
So, which should you choose?
If you want ongoing support and time between appointments to reflect on the work, weekly EMDR therapy may be a good place to start. If you have a particular experience or pattern you want to focus on and can set aside a longer block of time, an intensive may be worth exploring. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Interested in an EMDR intensive?
Get to know Annie Bradford, Amanda Zaski, or Dr. Marie Agius.
You can also learn more about Third Wave’s EMDR intensives before reaching out.
Looking for weekly EMDR therapy?
Want to get started soon? Andrew Keaney, Gabi Rodriguez, or Tria Smothers are among our EMDR therapists with openings right now. We have other EMDR-trained clinicians, too. If you have a particular location, schedule, or therapist preference, our Wellness Coordination team can help you explore your options.
Ready to take the next step? Tell our Wellness Coordination team what you’re hoping to work on. Let them know whether you’re interested in weekly EMDR, an intensive, or still deciding. We’ll help you find the right place to start.
