Experience the kind of momentum that leads to real change.
EMDR Intensive Therapy in Columbus, Ohio
EMDR Intensives in Columbus, Ohio | In-Person
Are you doing everything you can but still not feeling relief?
EMDR Intensives might be the right fit if….
You don’t have the time (or energy) for ongoing weekly sessions
Your life is already full. You’re balancing work, family, and responsibilities, and adding another long-term weekly commitment feels overwhelming (and unrealistic). You want relief, but you want it to feel efficient and intentional. EMDR intensives allow you to dedicate extended time to your healing so you’re not stretching the process out for months. Instead of starting and stopping each week, we stay with the work and maintain consistent momentum.
You’re ready for deeper, more concentrated healing
Maybe you’ve been in therapy before and understand the “why” behind your struggles, but you still don’t feel any different. You know you’re safe or even making some progress, but emotionally, it hasn’t fully clicked. EMDR intensives focus on both the mind and the body, helping you process what’s been stored in your nervous system so you can experience real relief, not just insight. This format allows us to go deeper without losing progress between sessions.
This space was designed for you.
EMDR intensive therapy can help you move through challenges in a few extended sessions that might otherwise take months of weekly therapy.
What is an EMDR intensive?
An EMDR intensive is an extended therapy session (2–4 hours) where we focus specifically on reprocessing distressing memories, trauma, or ongoing stress that are contributing to anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, or unhealthy relationship patterns.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) helps you process emotions, thoughts, and memories that have become “stuck” in the brain and body due to painful or overwhelming experiences that were never fully processed.
Using bilateral stimulation (such as tapping), EMDR stimulates both sides of the brain and allows your nervous system to reprocess the memory in a way that reduces the emotional charge.
This isn’t an attempt to erase your memory in any way; rather, the goal is for you to be able to recall what happened without feeling like it’s happening all over again.
1
Pre-Intensive Assessment
We begin with a 90-minute pre-intensive assessment. We’ll take our time here to get a full picture of what you’ve been experiencing, what feels stuck, and what you’re hoping will feel different after the intensive. We’ll talk through your history, current stress or anxiety, and identify specific memories or themes to focus on.
We’ll also assess your readiness for extended EMDR work and determine what length of session feels most appropriate for you. My priority during this phase is making sure you feel safe, prepared, and clear on the plan moving forward.
2
EMDR Intensive
Session
Your intensive therapy session will be scheduled for 2, 3, or 4 hours, depending on what you’d prefer and what feels manageable for your nervous system. During this time, we’ll focus on reprocessing the memories, stress, experiences, or negative beliefs that have been getting in the way of your relief.
Because we have extended time, we’re able to stay with the work without the usual start-and-stop rhythm of weekly sessions. We’ll move at a pace that feels contained and supported, taking breaks as needed and incorporating regulation tools using Somatic therapy to help you stay grounded throughout the entire process.
3
Post-Intensive Follow-Up
About 2–4 weeks after your intensive, we’ll meet for a 50-minute follow-up session. This is an opportunity to check in, review your progress, and talk through how things have been feeling and how life is going since the intensive.
We’ll also work on reinforcing coping tools, addressing anything new that may have surfaced, and determining whether additional sessions would be helpful. The goal as an EMDR intensive therapist in Columbus, Ohio is for you to feel steady, supported, and confident as you move forward.
AN EMDR INTENSIVE EXPERIENCE OFFERS
✓ Evidence-based EMDR treatment
✓ A customized treatment plan tailored to your goals
✓ Nervous system regulation tools you can use long-term
✓ Extended, uninterrupted time for real processing
✓ A comfortable, supportive environment
✓ A nonjudgmental space to focus fully on your healing
EMDR Intensive Options
Choose the right fit for you.
EMDR intensive therapy is not one-size-fits-all. We’ll decide together during your assessment what starting point makes the most sense for you.
-
A focused session that allows us to begin (or continue) reprocessing in a more extended format than traditional therapy.
Investment: $540 -
Ideal if you’re ready to go deeper while still pacing the work in a contained way.
Investment: $810 -
For clients who feel prepared for a longer, more concentrated reprocessing experience.
Investment: $1,080
There’s a life out there that feels…
Calm instead of constantly on edge
You’re able to move through your day without feeling like your nervous system is on overdrive. Triggers don’t hijack you the way they used to, and you can notice an uncomfortable emotion without spiraling…and your body feels more like home.
Clear instead of stuck
The memories or beliefs that once felt heavy and all-consuming begin to loosen their grip. You’re able to recall the past without feeling like it’s happening all over again. Decisions feel clearer, and you’re starting to trust yourself more. Now, you no longer have to second-guess every move you make.
Balanced instead of depleted
You show up at work, at home, and in your relationships with more energy and presence. You’re not just surviving or pushing through your responsibilities—you’re engaging in them with confidence and a greater sense of control.
It’s time for focused, intentional relief.
faqs
Other EMDR intensive therapy questions? I’ve got answers.
-
You may be a good fit if you’ve been in therapy before but still feel stuck, or if you’re ready to focus deeply on a specific issue in a shorter period of time. Many intensive clients want more than their other weekly therapy sessions have been able to provide. Intensives work best if you’re emotionally aware and open to processing past experiences. We’ll determine together during your assessment whether this format feels like the right fit for you. Learn more about my therapy practice.
-
Traditional therapy sessions are typically 50 minutes long, which can limit how much processing we’re able to do at one time. Intensives allow us to spend extended, uninterrupted time on deeper work. Read here to learn more about EMDR intensives. This helps maintain momentum and often leads to noticeable progress in a shorter amount of time, while still moving at a pace that feels safe and realistic for you. Learn more about my therapy practice.
-
I offer EMDR intensives in person because extended reprocessing work often benefits from being in a calm, contained environment where you can really embrace the process. Being in the same space allows me to better support your nervous system throughout the session and adjust the pacing as needed. Many clients also find it helpful to step away from their daily environment and treat the intensive as dedicated time to focus on their healing without distractions. If you’re curious what sessions with me are like, check out my about page for more information.
-
If you are appropriate for intensives then yes, it is worth it. You will be able to get the results you have been looking for in a shorter amount of time, which leaves you more free time outside of therapy. Learn more about my therapy practice.
-
I am a private pay practice that does not accept insurance. Insurance does not cover EMDR intensive therapy sessions. Learn more about my therapy practice.
-
EMDR intensives can help with a variety of different challenges and experiences. Schedule a consult to find out more. Learn more about my therapy practice.
-
We will go over prep work in more detail during the pre-intensive assessment. I will review tools for you to begin using prior to your EMDR intensive session. These tools will help you to regulate your nervous system so that you feel more prepared for the deeper work. I also suggest wearing comfortable clothes and bringing any items that make you feel calm and safe. If you have a favorite snack or water bottle, bring that too. I will provide snacks and water as well. Please make sure you take off work or have childcare set up for the day of your EMDR intensives, especially if you do consecutive days in a row. Learn more about my therapy practice.
-
You can start by scheduling a complimentary 15 minute consultation to discuss options moving forward.
-
It is important to prepare your EMDR intensives around your downtime. Make sure you have space after session and even the day after to unwind and relax. You should not make plans to go anywhere or do anything that will be overstimulating for at least 24 hours. You may feel emotionally and physically drained after an EMDR intensive session. Learn more here.
-
It is common to cry at times during an EMDR intensive session. Crying can be part of releasing the trauma or stress stored in the body. Learn more about this on the Somatic Therapy page. Merrianna Holdeman Counseling often integrates both EMDR and somatic therapy together for even more benefits during the healing process. Learn more about my therapy practice.