Workshop Dates Announced: Understanding Intensive EMDR

Over the past few years, I’ve noticed increasing curiosity among therapists about intensive ways of working...

Some clinicians are already offering longer sessions informally. Others are interested in intensive EMDR but feel unsure where to begin, how to structure the work safely, or whether intensive approaches are realistic within everyday clinical practice.

Again and again, I’ve heard similar questions:

• How do I maintain safety and containment in intensive work? 

• How do I know which clients may be suitable? 

• What happens between sessions? 

• How do I structure an intensive day? 

• Can intensive ways of working be sustainable for therapists too? 

  
  

These workshops were developed in response to those conversations.

Bridging the Gap Between Training and Practice

Many therapists have a solid understanding of EMDR theory and standard protocol, but there can still feel like a significant gap between foundational training and the practical realities of delivering therapy intensively.

Intensive work often requires therapists to think differently about:

• pacing

• preparation

• continuity

• scheduling

• stabilisation

• therapeutic momentum

• practitioner wellbeing

• and clinical decision-making

While interest in intensive therapy appears to be growing, many practitioners have had limited opportunities to explore these topics in a reflective and practice-focused space.

My hope is that these workshops provide exactly that.

Intensive Work Is About More Than Longer Sessions

When people first hear the term intensive EMDR, they sometimes assume it simply means “doing more therapy, faster.”

In reality, thoughtful intensive work involves careful planning, preparation, pacing and flexibility. It requires clinicians to think critically about safety, suitability, containment and therapeutic structure.

Importantly, intensive approaches are not appropriate for every client, every presentation, or every therapist.

This workshop is therefore not about promoting a one-size-fits-all model of therapy. Instead, it is designed to support clinicians in thinking carefully and ethically about how intensive approaches may — or may not — fit within their own clinical practice and professional values.

A Practical and Reflective Space for Practitioners

One of my aims in creating these workshops was to move beyond purely theoretical discussions and offer something grounded in real-world clinical practice.

Across the two days, we will explore:

• practical frameworks for intensive delivery

• screening and preparation considerations

• structuring intensive sessions

• maintaining therapeutic momentum

• managing containment and follow-up

• ethical and practical considerations

• therapist sustainability and workload

• reflective discussions around implementation

The workshops are designed to be both practical and reflective, with space for clinicians to think critically about their own way of working.

Thinking About Sustainability

Alongside client outcomes, I’m also increasingly interested in the impact that intensive ways of working may have on therapists themselves.

Many practitioners are navigating high levels of administrative demand, fragmented schedules and emotional exhaustion within traditional therapy models. For some clinicians, intensive work offers an opportunity to think differently about rhythm, continuity and sustainability within practice.

Of course, intensive work is not inherently easier, nor is it suitable for every therapist. However, I believe there is value in opening up thoughtful conversations about how we work, the structures we practice within, and what supports meaningful and sustainable therapeutic work over time.

Who These Workshops Are For

These workshops may be particularly helpful for:

• EMDR therapists curious about intensive approaches

• clinicians already offering extended sessions

• practitioners interested in maintaining therapeutic momentum

• therapists wanting practical frameworks for intensive delivery

• clinicians exploring more sustainable ways of working

  
  

Workshop Details

Understanding Intensive EMDR 1st–2nd October 2026 Online workshop

Early bird tickets are now available. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1985443342484?aff=oddtdtcreator

I’m really looking forward to opening up these conversations with fellow practitioners and creating a reflective space to think together about intensive ways of working.