EMDR Intensives in Indianapolis
then the session is over.
You’ve checked in. You’ve settled your nervous system. You finally get to the thing you actually came to therapy to work on—and someone looks at the clock.
An EMDR intensive gives you a longer, protected block of time for focused trauma work without repeatedly stopping and restarting every 55 minutes.
It isn’t about cramming as much trauma as possible into an afternoon.
It’s about giving the work the time it needs.
- Extended time for focused trauma processing
- Fewer stops and starts
- A personalized, supportive approach
- In-person in Indianapolis and virtual throughout Indiana and Florida
- In-person in Indianapolis for clients from Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Brownsburg and surrounding Central Indiana communities + virtual therapy throughout Indiana & Florida.
Maybe weekly therapy is working. You just keep running out of therapy.
An EMDR intensive can make sense for all sorts of reasons. Not necessarily because you’re doing terribly. Sometimes you’re actually doing quite well—and there is one particular thing that remains remarkably uninterested in all the insight you’ve acquired.
You understand the story.
You may even be able to explain exactly why you react the way you do.
Your nervous system remains somewhat unimpressed by this information.
Something important starts connecting.
You’re finally in it.
And then:
“Okay, we need to wrap up.”
Next week, you find your way back there again.
A memory. A loss. A betrayal. A particular experience. A trigger or belief that keeps showing up in your current life. You’re ready to give it more focused attention.
Work. Kids. Travel. School. Life.
Maybe weekly therapy is theoretically possible but practically absurd.
A longer block of treatment may fit your actual life better.
You may prefer to travel from Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Brownsburg or elsewhere in Central Indiana for one concentrated appointment rather than make the trip every week.
Excellent.
You may not need a different therapist.
You may simply want focused EMDR work with Jenny while continuing your regular therapy with someone you already know and trust.
What is an EMDR intensive?
An EMDR intensive is an extended EMDR therapy session that provides more uninterrupted time for assessment, preparation, trauma processing, grounding and integration than a traditional weekly therapy appointment.
Instead of fitting the work into a typical 50- or 60-minute session, an intensive may last several hours and, when appropriate, can take place over more than one day.
That gives us more room. Room to prepare well. Room to slow down. Room to stay with something when it is useful. Room to take a break when your nervous system needs one. And room to close intentionally rather than realizing there are seven minutes left while you are in the middle of something important.
An intensive doesn’t mean we rush trauma. It means we give the work more time.
More time does not mean more pressure. Jenny adjusts the pacing to the person sitting in front of her—not to some imaginary schedule of how much trauma you are supposed to process by lunchtime.
EMDR intensive vs. Weekly EMDR
Both can be excellent. An intensive isn’t automatically better than weekly EMDR. And weekly therapy isn’t somehow the “slow” version. They are different treatment structures. The better question is: Which format makes more sense for you and the work you want to do?
| Weekly EMDR | EMDR Intensive | |
|---|---|---|
| Session length | Usually 50–60 minutes | Extended 3- or 6-hour blocks |
| Schedule | Typically weekly or biweekly | One or more concentrated days |
| Getting started | Opening and closing happens each session | Fewer repeated starts and stops |
| Continuity | Work unfolds across appointments | More uninterrupted processing time |
| Best fit | Ongoing support and gradual work | Focused treatment goals or concentrated work |
| Travel | Requires repeated appointments | Can be useful for clients traveling to Indianapolis |
| Existing therapist | Often your ongoing treatment | Can sometimes supplement therapy you already receive elsewhere |
Weekly therapy makes perfect sense for a lot of people. Sometimes, though, you spend twenty minutes getting settled, twenty minutes doing the actual work, and ten minutes realizing you now have to become a functional person and go back to work. An intensive gives us another option.
Perfectly reasonable. You are not expected to clinically screen yourself from a webpage. That’s what the consultation is for.
Who is a good candidate for an EMDR intensive?
There is no single diagnosis, trauma history or personality type that automatically makes someone a good candidate. What matters much more is what you want to work on, where you are right now, and whether concentrated trauma work makes clinical sense for you.
An EMDR intensive may be worth considering when:
- You have a particular experience or treatment target.
- You understand the problem—but still feel the problem.
- Weekly EMDR feels very stop-and-start.
- You want uninterrupted time.
- Weekly appointments are hard to fit into your life.
- You already have an ongoing therapist.
- You are traveling to Indianapolis specifically for an intensive. Clients from Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Brownsburg and other Central Indiana communities may find the format easier than repeated weekly travel.
- You have enough stability and support to do concentrated trauma work.
- You have a particular experience or treatment target. There is something specific you would like to address rather than simply “work on everything.”
- You understand the problem—but still feel the problem. You may have insight into your history and patterns while your body, emotions or relationships continue reacting as though the past is still happening.
- Weekly EMDR feels very stop-and-start. You repeatedly feel as though the session ends just as meaningful work begins.
- You want uninterrupted time. You would rather dedicate a longer block to focused work than divide it across many appointments.
- Weekly appointments are hard to fit into your life. Your job, travel, school, parenting responsibilities or schedule may make concentrated treatment more practical.
- You already have an ongoing therapist. You want targeted EMDR without leaving the person you already work with.
- You are traveling to Indianapolis specifically for an intensive. Clients from Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Brownsburg and other Central Indiana communities may find the format easier than repeated weekly travel.
- You have enough stability and support to do concentrated trauma work. This matters. More on that next.
So let’s also talk about when an intensive
may not be the best idea.
An EMDR intensive is powerful, but it isn’t the right fit for everyone and every situation. In some cases, weekly therapy or additional stabilization work is a better starting point.
We’ll help you think this through honestly so you can make the choice that actually supports your well-being—not just the choice that sounds good in the moment.
- You are in an acute crisis or in immediate danger.
- Your nervous system feels too unstable right now.
- You are not yet resourced enough for trauma work.
- You’re looking for a quick “fix” rather than real processing.
- You’re unable to take time afterward to rest and integrate.
- Your current life circumstances make it hard to focus.
Not right now does not necessarily mean not ever.
Our goal is not to sell you an intensive. Our goal is to figure out whether one actually makes sense for you—now or in the future.
The EMDR intensive process
Your EMDR intensive begins before you walk through the door.
We’ll talk about your history, goals, and whether an intensive is a good fit for you right now.
We’ll gather background information and ensure you have the resources & support needed for the work ahead.
We’ll spend extended time doing EMDR processing, with breaks as needed.
We’ll slow down, process what surfaced, and focus on making sense of the work.
We’ll make a plan for what comes next—ongoing therapy or simply carrying the progress forward.
A sample 3-hour EMDR intensive
Getting settled
(30 min)
Check in, ground,
and get oriented.
Focused EMDR
processing (60 min)
Extended time
for deep work.
Break
(5–15 min)
Rest, reset,
and take care
of your nervous system.
Continued
processing
(45–60 min)
Return to EMDR
as clinically helpful.
Closing +
integration
(30 min)
Reflect, integrate,
and plan next steps.
Already have a therapist?
You don’t have to break up with them.
Many of our clients continue seeing their regular therapist and use an EMDR intensive as a focused next step. An intensive can complement the work you’re already doing and help you make progress on a specific target without changing your ongoing care.
We’re happy to collaborate (with your permission) so everyone is on the same page and you have the support you need.
EMDR intensives for Indianapolis + Central Indiana
We offer EMDR intensives in Indianapolis and work with clients throughout Central Indiana, including Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Brownsburg, Westfield, Noblesville, and Avon. We also offer secure online intensives for clients across Indiana and Florida.
Indianapolis, IN 46220
FAQ about EMDR Intensives
An EMDR intensive is an extended trauma-therapy session using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Unlike standard weekly 55-minute appointments, an EMDR intensive combines multiple hours (or even consecutive days) of EMDR work in one block. This format gives more uninterrupted time to assess, prepare, and process traumatic memories (with grounding breaks). With Jenny Staats, LMSW, clients do eye-movement or tapping protocols just like regular EMDR, but over a longer continuous session. The goal is rapid healing from PTSD, anxiety, or difficult life events, making more efficient.
EMDR intensives can range from a few hours up to several full days. For example, Jenny typically offers half-day (3-hour) or full-day (6-hour) sessions, and even multi-day formats when needed. The exact length depends on your needs – many clients start with a 3–6 hour intensive to address a specific trauma. After each intensive, clients usually feel a deep shift; final integration can happen the same day or shortly after.
Each person’s journey is unique. Some clients experience significant relief after just one intensive, while others may choose to follow up with additional sessions. Often, an intensive targets one core issue (such as a car accident, abuse, or grief), and clients may schedule another for a different event or deeper work. Many people continue with weekly therapy afterward to integrate gains. Jenny Staats will help you plan: in a free consultation she assesses whether a single intensive or a package best fits your situation. The aim is efficiency – some clients transition fully to weekly therapy after one intensive, while others benefit from a series of intensives for complex trauma.
EMDR intensives are not “better” for everyone, but they can be more efficient when deep processing is needed. Unlike weekly 55-minute sessions, intensives condense months of therapy into days. If your schedule is hectic or you’re facing high stress now, intensives offer faster results and focused healing. Jenny will discuss whether an intensive or traditional weekly EMDR is right for you. Many clients find intensives allow them to “go deeper” without stopping and restarting, which can accelerate breakthroughs. However, if you prefer gradual progress, weekly EMDR with your current therapist is also beneficial.
Yes, beginners can benefit from an EMDR intensive. In fact, many people start intensives as their first experience with EMDR. Jenny provides thorough preparation: initial sessions (or the first part of the intensive) focus on education, safety tools, and building coping skills. This ensures you’re ready before processing trauma. During the intensive, Jenny explains each step so you feel comfortable. Clients with no EMDR history just progress through the standard 8-phase protocol at an accelerated pace. We screen for readiness (emotional stability, safety, support) and do stabilization work if needed – even those new to therapy can have successful intensives with proper preparation.
Absolutely. Many clients use intensives in conjunction with ongoing therapy. You can continue weekly or monthly sessions with your regular therapist before and after the intensive. In fact, ICP notes that while some feel resolved after intensives, “many will continue to integrate their discoveries with their primary therapist afterward”. Jenny often coordinates care: some clients have Jenny focus on trauma processing during the intensive while their usual therapist provides emotional support or helps with integration post-intensive. Keeping your therapist involved can enhance continuity of care.
Yes. We welcome referrals from other therapists. If your therapist is not trained in EMDR or in intensives specifically, they can still recommend an intensive. Jenny is happy to communicate with your therapist about goals and progress (with your permission). Many clients come on referral – having a therapist recommend an intensive can make your decision easier. Just give Jenny’s contact information to your therapist, and she’ll consult with them as needed.
Yes. Jenny offers both in-person and telehealth options for EMDR intensives. In-person intensives take place in our Indianapolis office (convenient to Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Broad Ripple, and Geist). For out-of-town or travel-constrained clients, intensives can be conducted online via secure video. We ensure a private, stable internet connection for online intensives; you’ll be guided through the same EMDR protocol by Jenny virtually. Whether online or in-person, you’ll receive the same focused, uninterrupted therapy time.
EMDR intensives help with a wide range of trauma and stress issues. Typical benefits include rapid reduction of PTSD or trauma symptoms, deep processing of specific memories, and relief from anxiety. Intensives are designed for deeply process trauma and create lasting transformation. They can address single-incident traumas (car accidents, assaults, surgeries) or long-standing issues (abuse, chronic PTSD, grief). Clients also use intensives for burnout, major life transitions, or unresolved emotional blocks. In essence, Jenny uses intensive EMDR to target stubborn problems at the root, often helping clients feel calmer, more present, and freer of old patterns. Common outcomes are feeling “unstuck,” having fewer intrusive memories or triggers, and gaining new perspectives on past events.
After an intensive, self-care and integration are important. Plan a calm rest of your day – many clients feel tired or emotionally drained, which is a normal response to intense work. Stay hydrated, eat well, and do relaxing activities (walks, gentle yoga, journaling). Jenny will debrief with you at the end of the session, discussing what to expect in the coming days. It’s highly recommended to schedule at least one or two follow-up check-ins (in-person or virtual) to review progress and handle any questions. Continuing therapy (with Jenny or your regular therapist) helps solidify changes. Some clients also find peer or support groups helpful. Remember, healing continues after the intensive, so give yourself grace and time.
EMDR intensives can be scheduled for one, two, or three days, with either 3-hour half-day sessions or 6-hour full-day sessions. The right length depends on your goals, what you’re hoping to work through, and how much time feels appropriate for you. We’ll talk through the options during your consultation and help you decide what makes the most sense.
Half-Day EMDR Intensives
3 hours per day
1 Day: $450
2 Days: $900
3 Days: $1,350
Full-Day EMDR Intensives
6 hours per day
1 Day: $900
2 Days: $1,800
3 Days: $2,700
No. EMDR intensives at our practice are self-pay only. Intensive sessions are much longer than standard therapy appointments, and no insurance plans currently cover packaged intensives as a distinct service. Many clients use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to cover therapy costs. We also provide an itemized receipt (superbill) if your insurer allows out-of-network reimbursement for psychotherapy (typically only for standard sessions, not the intensive rate).
Readiness means feeling stable enough to tackle tough memories. Before an intensive, Jenny assesses your coping skills and supports. Generally, you’re likely ready if you have a safe environment, some emotional support (friend, therapist, etc.), and can stay present with strong emotions. If you’ve done weekly therapy or coaching and have solid grounding techniques (deep breathing, mindfulness), you’re probably ready to try an intensive. Contrarily, if you’re in acute crisis (active psychosis, uncontrollable panic, severe substance intoxication, or medical issues like a recent heart event), we will stabilize those first. For example, EMDR experts caution that clients with unstable medical conditions or active dissociative symptoms should prepare before intensive trauma work. In your free 15-min consultation, Jenny will discuss your history and current state to ensure it’s safe to proceed. If needed, she’ll recommend preliminary therapy or medical clearance. Ultimately, readiness is about feeling grounded and safe to dive deep; many become ready after a short preparatory period, leading to the breakthroughs they’ve been seeking.