Am I A Good Candidate for an EMDR Intensive?
When I am talking with clients to determine if a three hour EMDR session would be appropriate, there are several key factors I'm looking to understand.
You have a clear event or concern that needs to be addressed, and understand how it impacts your life.
Intensives are focused. Best results come from being able to identify easily a moment in time or one distinct issue that's causing distress.
You can reasonably handle distress.
You are able to stay present and avoid being overwhelmed by your emotions. Being able to communicate your body's responses to intense emotions will allow you to tolerate these longer sessions.
You have sufficient outside support.
Your world is relatively stable, including the ability to have a safe home environment and enough time to rest before and after an intensive. Ideally, you will have loved ones to be a source of appropriate comfort should you need them. You are not in crisis mode.
You have realistic expectations.
A good candidate understands that an intensive offers concentrated treatment time, not guaranteed resolution of trauma in a single day.
You have the time to integrate the work.
An intensive requires more than showing up for several hours. The client should have enough flexibility to rest, limit unnecessary demands, and attend to their needs afterward.
This may mean arranging childcare, reducing work obligations, avoiding major commitments immediately afterward, and identifying someone to contact if additional support is needed.
If you are feeling as if the past is getting in the way of your today and would be interested in talking more, please reach out for a consultation.
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