EMDR Intensive Therapy
More room for the memories you keep circling.
Sometimes the weekly hour ends just as you reach the part you came in to work on. An EMDR intensive gives us a longer, focused block for one target so there is more time to settle in, process, and close the session carefully.
You do not have to tell every detail, and you do not have to leave an ongoing therapist. I can coordinate with your therapist when you want the intensive to support work you are already doing.
EMDR intensives are offered in Fayetteville, New York, serving Syracuse and Central New York. We can discuss whether telehealth is appropriate based on your location and the work.
WHAT IS EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
During EMDR, you notice parts of a memory, thought, emotion, or body response while using bilateral stimulation, often guided eye movements, taps, or sounds. You stay awake, oriented, and in control of the pace.
You do not have to tell every detail of what happened. We need enough information to identify the target and guide the process, but the details can stay yours.
An intensive uses the same EMDR framework in a longer block so there is more time to settle in, work with one clearly defined target, and close the session carefully.
This May Fit If...
- One specific memory, period, trigger, or stuck point keeps staying active.
- Ongoing sessions feel too short for the piece you want to work on.
- You want a concentrated block for focused processing.
- You already have a therapist and want adjunct intensive work that supports that relationship.
Before, During and After
1
3
Pre-Intensive
We map the history that matters, identify the target, talk through the readiness and grounding, and make sure an EMDR intensive is the right format.
Intensive
3 hours. This is a private, uninterrupted block focused on the target we identified together.
Follow-up
We review what shifted, what still feels active, and what you want to carry forward. If you have an ongoing therapist, this is a natural handoff point.
Not Sure Whether ART or EMDR Fits?
ART tends to feel more structured and directive. EMDR is more associative and allows processing to unfold through a broader memory network.
You do not need to choose before we talk. Tell me what you want to change, and I will explain which approach makes the most sense to consider.
What's Included in Your EMDR Intensive
An EMDR intensive is more than a longer therapy appointment. The preparation session gives us time to identify what you want to focus on, talk through readiness, and make a plan for the intensive itself.
The three-hour session gives us more room to stay with one focused piece of work without having to stop just as we get into it. Then we meet again afterward to talk about what shifted, what still feels active, and what makes sense from there.
3-Hour EMDR Intensive Package
Your package includes:
- 60-minute preparation session
- 3-hour EMDR intensive
- 30-minute follow-up session
Total package fee: $800
Private pay. A superbill is available for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
You do not need to know before reaching out whether an intensive is the right use of your time or money. If you want to tell me what you are hoping to work on, we can talk through whether this format makes sense during the free 15-minute consultation.
Hi, I'm Joy
I'm Joy Strickland, LMHC, a licensed mental health counselor in Fayetteville, New York. I work with clients age 16 and older on anxiety, people-pleasing, family patterns, trauma reactions, boundaries, and self-doubt.
My style is active, direct, and relational. Depending on what we are working with, I may draw from EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, TIST, parts work, CBT, or DBT.
Before becoming a therapist, I spent 30 years in education. That experience still shapes how I listen for the role someone learned to play, the expectations underneath it, and the places where insight has not yet changed the reaction.
FAQs
How many intensives will I need?
It depends on what you are working on. Sometimes one is enough.Other times what you are carrying has more than one layer and a second or third makes sense. We'll
look at that on the consultation, and you're never committing to more than one at a time.
Do I have to talk through everything in detail?
No. That's one of the reasons people choose EMDR. The processing happens through the bilateral stimulation and your own brain's work. You stay in control of how much you say out loud.
Does insurance cover intensives?
Insurance does not cover therapy intensives. I can provide a superbill you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement, which does require me to provide a diagnosis. Not billing insurance directly is part of what makes this format possible, no session limits, no authorizations, and no outside party deciding how long your care should take.
What's the payment schedule?
A 50% deposit is due when you book, and the
remaining balance is due one week before your intensive.
What's your cancellation policy?
Cancellations within two weeks of your Pre-Intensive Interview are charged the full intensive fee. That time is held exclusively for you and can't be filled on short notice.
Is this in person or online?
In person in Fayetteville, New York. I'm also licensed in Vermont and Florida and can discuss options during your consultation.
I already have a therapist. Can I still do this?
Yes, and it works well. Many people do
intensive work alongside ongoing therapy. With your permission I'm glad to coordinate
with your therapist so the intensive supports what you're already doing together.
I'm a therapist with a client who might benefit. Do you accept referrals?
Yes. I offer adjunct intensive work for clients who stay with their primary therapist. Reach out and we can talk about whether it's a fit for your client.
Ready to Work on the Part You Keep Circling?
You do not have to decide from the website whether an EMDR intensive is the right fit. Start with a free 15-minute consultation and tell me what you want to change.
