Bespoke EMDR Intensives

An intensive is a way to deliver treatment in an intensive and condensed amount of time, such as a weekend, where multiple EMDR sessions per day are completed. New research shows that intensive therapy for trauma and stress can be extremely effective on symptom reduction. Melissa Thornburg, L.A.C., utilizes the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) Model of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), the  Polyvagal Theory in Therapy (PVT),  Structural Dissociation Theory (SDT), Neurobiological Attachment Theory and Somatic Experiencing to tailor your healing experience and will frequently weave these modalities into the EMDR treatment to further reduce and resolve symptoms. (During processing, these are referred to as “interweaves”).

Just as EMDR is a very different approach to psychotherapy, the Intensive is a very different approach to providing EMDR treatment.  Because of the “rewiring” and truly healing effect of EMDR, an Intensive can work in ways that are not possible utilizing standard talk-therapy techniques.  With EMDR processing, we can desensitize negative feelings and change the negative belief about self that has been encoded onto the memory in order to “rewire” the brain and truly heal the individual.  This means much more material can be processed and healed much more quickly in an Intensive session than is possible in traditional weekly therapy.

Assessment for Readiness

While many clients are good candidates for an intensive, some may do better with an ongoing therapeutic relationship. Clients with long-term childhood abuse or neglect, who have had years of traumatic events, are typically not advised to do an Intensive. Some exceptions can be made for those currently under the care of a trusted provider that they can return to. Clients with this type of history can make progress on particular parts of events, but often are not finished with treatment and need to continue with their regular therapist following the intensive.

Ideal candidates are those who have had a single stressful or traumatic event, such as an assault, fire or car accident.

Intensive Structure

Preparation Phase

• Your therapist will schedule a thorough assessment prior to scheduling your intensive. Typically, this is completed in one - two sessions, and is done online if you are out of town or cannot easily travel to the Scottsdale or Prescott offices. If you are local, you are invited to do them in person at either office location. 
• Your therapist may also provide you with written and on-line assessment materials (typically a questionnaire) to help pinpoint targets for EMDR and your goals, as well as gather additional information about your background and history. Your therapist will also want to view relevant previous mental health records and consult with your current therapist (if you have one).

Treatment Phase

• The treatment phase of the intensive is typically two sessions per day, for either two or three days (depending on the severity of the symptoms and history of trauma). There will be breaks scheduled during and in between sessions for meals, rest and self-care. 
• Your therapist will provide you with a list of suggested activities in town that help re-regulate your nervous system after sessions, such as cranial sacral and massage therapists, yoga classes, hypnotherapies, nature hiking and bathing areas and other options. Old Town Scottsdale is a destination with great events, restaurants and shopping around town.

Fees

The cost of an average EMDR Intensive is typically around $1850 USD.  This fee includes your assessment sessions,  in-person Phase 2 - 8 EMDR processing and a follow up session to review how things are going for you after your intensive experience. We will provide you with a Superbill that can submit to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement, for some of the sessions.  Melissa Thornburg, L.A.C., can not guarantee any reimbursement will be provided by insurance.