EMDR INTENSIVES
I am an experienced Clinical Psychologist and Accredited EMDR clinician with a special interest in EMDR Intensive therapy. This therapy model differs from traditional therapy; rather than one 50-minute session once per week, it involves longer sessions (up to 3 hours) and more frequently (multiple per week or daily). The duration and frequency of the sessions can vary depending on your needs.
During an EMDR Intensive, we work in a very focused and targeted way whereby we agree to work on a specific issue, an incident or theme in your life. Longer sessions allow us to dive in deep, developing an understanding of the “roots” or underlying wounds of the current difficulties. Then, utilising EMDR we process these old memories or self-limiting beliefs so they no longer disturb you or harm your life and well-being. Instead of stretching out this process across months or years, EMDR intensives allow us to heal the wounds and resolve the trauma (whether this is related to childhood or a recent event) promptly rather than holding the hurt within us.
EMDR Intensives allow us to build greater consistency and therapeutic momentum without the need to stop and start at the end of every 50-minute session and have weeks between the sessions. This helps to foster deeper connection and trust within the therapeutic relationship and can be helpful when working with parts of the self that may feel resistant or protective around change.
The extended timeframe is also perfect for applying other therapeutic modalities that can work together to enhance the treatment. I have found drawing upon several other evidence-based therapies including Ego State Therapy (parts work), Somatic Therapies, Schema Therapy, Self-Compassion Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, attachment-based therapies, systemic family therapy models, Trauma Sensitive Yoga and Mindfulness to be effective.
Intensive EMDR can be beneficial for people who may have an existing therapist however the therapist is not trained in EMDR and it seems like this form of therapy would be helpful.
Research from Europe has indicated that an EMDR intensive format can be highly effective in the treatment, reduction, and elimination of symptoms related to PTSD, Complex PTSD, and other conditions, when combined with high and low intensity physical activity (Bongaerts, et. al., 2017; Mendez, et. al, 2018). Please email for a copy of the research papers.
During EMDR Intensives there is the option to include wellness activities with the option to add on a range of personalised one-on-one activities. These include Stand-Up-Paddle Boarding, Boxing, Tennis, Yoga, Massage, Strength and Cardio, Trail Running, Ocean Swimming, Bands, Weights and Specialised Resistance Training, Relaxation Techniques, Breathing and Walking Meditation. Research shows the importance of blending therapy with physical health training, nutrition and mindfulness for greater health outcomes.
Who will be running my Physical Health Training Programs?
Evan Sutter is 3 x author, keynote speaker, wellbeing coach, The Happiness Compass founder and ultra-athlete. He is an ocean ambassador at Starboard and is currently studying a Graduate Diploma in Psychology.
EMDR Intensives
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy is a powerful therapy and differs from talk therapy in several ways. Firstly, EMDR does not require you to re-live or describe all the specific details of a past traumatic events as does other trauma therapies such CBT. Secondly, "processing" in EMDR does not mean simply talking about a traumatic experience (although this can be a part of it if this feels right for you). During the processing phases of this treatment, you will focuses briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements, tapping or alternate right/left sounds in headphones) leading to a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. In addition to the emotional charge being reduced, the traumatic experience or memory becomes just “a memory” from the past and no longer has the power to hijack your world when something similar happens in the present. For example, when you have an argument with your partner and you quickly become enraged and say things you later regret or opposingly you become quiet, withdrawn and shut down. These responses often have their origins in the past and stem from unresolved adverse childhood experiences. EMDR helps find new adaptive meaning around adverse experiences and allows you to integrate this “old stuff” into the nervous system so it no longer intrudes into the present. When the past doesn’t become the present it is easier to act in ways that are more adaptive and aligned with your goals and values. After EMDR therapy clients typically report “It’s in the past, it no longer affects me, it doesn’t say anything negative about me”,