Bright Spot Counseling offers in-person EMDR Intensives in Farmington Hills, Michigan and virtual preparation + follow-up care statewide. Intensives include 3–6 hours per day of focused EMDR reprocessing, nervous-system stabilization, IFS-informed trauma work, and integration support.
Ideal for adults experiencing anxiety, PTSD, OCD, trauma, panic, chronic overwhelm, burnout, relationship trauma, or feeling “stuck” in therapy.
Serving Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, Novi, Southfield, Livonia, Metro Detroit, and all of Michigan.
What an EMDR Intensive Is (and Why It Works)
Weekly therapy is powerful — but it often gets interrupted by daily stress, emotional shutdown, or the limited time we have to go deep.
An EMDR Intensive provides:
- 3–6 hours of uninterrupted reprocessing
- A deeply regulated nervous-system environment
- Less emotional “start/stop”
- Faster connection to the core issue
- More capacity for completion
- A sense of deep internal relief
It’s healing without the rush.
Why Choose an EMDR Intensive Instead of Weekly Therapy?
✔ You want faster results
An intensive allows your brain to stay with the work long enough to actually finish the emotional cycle — something weekly sessions rarely allow.
✔ You’re a high-functioning adult who’s exhausted inside
Intensives work beautifully for people who “hold everything together” but feel overwhelmed, anxious, or numb beneath the surface.
✔ You’re stuck in the same patterns
Recurring trauma loops often need more than 50 minutes to shift.
✔ You’re ready for a deep reset
An intensive gives your nervous system the corrective experience it’s been missing.
✔ You’ve experienced trauma, panic, or chronic anxiety
EMDR Intensives are particularly effective for trauma and nervous-system dysregulation.
Why Should I Consider an EMDR Intensive for trauma instead of Weekly Therapy?
Picture your symptoms as a backpack. A really heavy backpack with the zippers open and all your stuff falling out. Weekly therapy helps tighten up the the zippers and pull out items at the top of the backpack while intensives help get the heaviest items that are weighing you down.
EMDR Intensives for Trauma are a powerful and efficient way to treat trauma, anxiety, depression and postpartum symptoms. Intensives get to the nitty gritty which can takes months or even years in weekly therapy. For EMDR, clients in weekly therapy will often find it frustrating to end a session at 55 minutes when it feels like things are just getting started. An EMDR Intensive gives you and your therapist the time and space to do the deeper work to help you move forward faster.
What’s Included in a 2-Day EMDR Intensive?
Each day includes 3–6 hours of therapeutic work, tailored to your pacing.
DAY 1 — PREP, RESOURCING & FIRST REPROCESSING
- Comprehensive intake + trauma map
- IFS-informed parts work
- Polyvagal grounding
- Nervous-system stabilization
- EMDR target sequencing
- First reprocessing blocks
- Gentle integration
DAY 2 — DEEP REPROCESSING & CLOSURE
- Extended EMDR reprocessing
- Addressing secondary or protective patterns
- Somatic + body-based integration
- Safe closure
- Personalized aftercare plan
- Transition back to daily life with support
Prep + integration sessions can be done via telehealth for all Michigan clients.
How Much Does an EMDR Intensive Cost?
- Regular Rate: $1,350 per day
- 2-Day Intensive: $2,700
- Cyber Monday / Seasonal promos: Occasionally available
💛 One day of intensive work can be equivalent to several months of weekly sessions.
Who EMDR Intensives Help?
You might benefit from an intensive if you:
- Feel stuck in traditional therapy
- Experience chronic anxiety or panic
- Have PTSD or trauma symptoms
- Struggle with emotional overwhelm
- Have OCD or intrusive thoughts
- Feel “numb” or disconnected
- Want rapid relief
- Prefer focused, efficient healing
- Want transformation, not just coping
What EMDR Intensives Can Help With ?
Anxiety + Panic
Regulates the nervous system and reduces chronic fear cycles.
Trauma + PTSD
Reprocesses memories safely and effectively.
OCD + Intrusive Thoughts
Targets stuck loops, compulsions, and anxiety spikes.
Relationship Trauma (current or past)
Releases emotional pain held in the body.
Burnout + Emotional Exhaustion
Helps reset patterns of overfunctioning and shutdown.
Attachment Wounds
Integrates parts of self that never felt safe.
In-person in Farmington Hills • Online throughout Michigan
In-person:
- Farmington Hills
- West Bloomfield
- Novi
- Livonia
- Southfield
- Metro Detroit
Online (prep + integration):
- All of Michigan
- Ideal for clients driving in for the 2-day intensive
Ready for a Transformational Experience?
If you’re craving deep healing, faster results, and a supportive, trauma-informed environment, an EMDR Intensive may be the path your nervous system has been waiting for.
Click on the link below to view a presentation that walks through the details of EMDR Intensives for trauma:
Who is a Good Fit for EMDR/Brainspotting Intensives?
You might be a great fit for an EMDR/Brainspotting Intensive if:
YOU WANT TO MOVE FORWARD FASTER: If you’ve experienced a recent trauma—such as a car accident, difficult birth, or dog attack—it can be extremely beneficial to seek treatment right away. Furthermore, if you’ve struggled with weekly therapy and feel ready for significant mental, emotional, and physical progress, then an intensive could be exactly what you need.
YOU HAVE NEGATIVE CORE BELIEFS THAT HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO OVERCOME IN WEEKLY THERAPY: If toxic beliefs such as “I’m broken” or “I’m not lovable” have been holding you back, it’s likely that an intensive can help address these deeply ingrained thoughts. Unlike traditional therapy, intensives provide a more concentrated approach to tackle these issues head-on.
YOU HAVE COMPLICATED OR CHILDHOOD TRAUMA: If your trauma is particularly complex or rooted in childhood experiences, an intensive may be exactly what you need to facilitate deeper exploration and healing. The focused nature of an intensive allows for more profound recovery in a shorter amount of time, helping you process difficult emotions.
YOU HAVE A BUSY SCHEDULE: For individuals with hectic schedules—whether you’re a working parent, travel frequently for work, or simply don’t want to juggle weekly appointments—intensives offer a game-changing alternative. This option allows you to get the help you need in a more flexible and condensed format.
YOU HAVE A LIMITED BUDGET: Although some people may experience sticker shock from the price of an intensive, it’s essential to consider the long-term benefits. In fact, when you compare the cost of weekly sessions and copays over the course of a year, intensives can be more affordable in the long run. Moreover, think about the cost of delaying healing—the longer you wait to feel better, the more your life, self-esteem, and relationships could suffer.
How Much Does an Intensive Cost?
Half Day
In-person Intensive
This includes:
- 3 hours of therapy
- 1 hour break for lunch
- Breaks (as needed for the bathroom, getting outside, etc…)
- Light snacks/coffee/tea
Full Day
In-person Intensive
This includes:
- 6 hours of therapy
- 1 hour break for lunch
- Breaks (as needed for the bathroom, getting outside, etc…)
- Light snacks/coffee/tea
*Individuals must be physically located in the state of Michigan to receive psychotherapy services.
Can’t attend in person? Ask about our virtual intensives. We offer the same therapeutic structure—half‑day (3 hrs) or full‑day (6 hrs) intensives—livestreamed securely via HIPAA‑compliant video, available to clients located anywhere in Michigan.
EMDR Intensives FAQ
The number of days needed for an intensive varies greatly depending on the person and the complexity of the issues. It’s typical for an intensive to take between 2-4 full days. Your therapist will provide an estimate based on your goals during your EMDR Intensive Evaluation.
Sessions are focused on both what the individual wants to focus on and their ability to tolerate and reprocess memories.
To make the most of your time and effort, we recommend a minimum of 3 full-days to see results. Complex and complicated trauma may require additional sessions.
Half-day sessions start at 9:00 am and wrap up at 12:00 pm. Half-day sessions included breaks as needed as well as resourcing/grounding/coping skills as needed depending on the individual.
Full-day sessions start at 9:00 am and wrap up at 4:00 pm.
Breaks and an hour lunch are included in the day. Time may be spent on resources/grounding/coping skills as needed depending on the individual.
Think about intensive sessions as similar to a spiritual or personal retreat. It’s best if you plan to set aside time, energy and engage support to ensure you’re able to get the most out of your experience.
Consider:
-Reducing afternoon/evening obligation to focus on self-care.
-Creating plenty of opportunities for activities that support you and your body (exercise, art, massage, etc…).
-Limiting work phone calls.
-Informing with your support system so they are aware that you’ll be focused on self-care and growth during your intensive.
-Making a plan for a healthy lunch (packed or pickup) and consider a picnic at Heritage Park in Farmington Hills on your intensive days.
Yes. Bright Spot now offers virtual EMDR intensives via secure, HIPAA‑compliant video. Clients anywhere in Michigan can engage in 3‑ to 6‑hour sessions with licensed therapist using the same EMDR, Brainspotting, resourcing, and grounding techniques as our in‑office format.
How Do I Know if an EMDR Intensive Is Right for Me?
To schedule an EMDR Intensive Evaluation call (248) 296-3104 or book online through our portal before becoming eligible to sign up for EMDR Intensive. If the therapist feels that it is clinically appropriate (e.g. you demonstrate sufficient skills to cope with negative emotions that may arise from processing trauma), then our office will schedule your EMDR Intensive.
What Our Clients Are Saying About EMDR Intensives
“This was life changing. My therapist is like an angel. She helped me get my life back.” -Carlton, age 22
“The only regret I have is that I didn’t do an EMDR Intensive sooner. I wish I had known about this years ago.” -Eli, 47
“Whoever created EMDR Intensives is a genius. I feel like everything just washed off me.” -Ellen, age 53
“I had no idea that effective therapy existed. For the first time in my adult life, I don’t have PTSD symptoms.” Peter, age 67
“After my EMDR Intensive, my body felt heavy but my head feels so light.” -Sandy, age 49
