Trauma Therapy Turbocharged – Intensive Trauma Recovery Explained

Breaking the Trauma Cycle: Accelerated Healing Through Intensive Approaches

Intensive trauma recovery is a specialized therapy approach that compresses months of traditional weekly therapy into a condensed timeframe through extended, focused sessions. It typically involves:

• Multiple hours of therapy per day (3-6 hours)
• Consecutive or closely scheduled days (often 3-10 days)
• Evidence-based trauma protocols (EMDR, Progressive Counting, etc.)
• Deep processing rather than just coping skills
• Minimal time between sessions to maintain momentum

While traditional therapy delivers only 20-30 minutes of actual therapeutic work per weekly session, intensive formats allow for sustained, uninterrupted processing that can achieve significant healing in days rather than months or years.

Trauma affects millions of people, with over 60% of adolescents experiencing at least one traumatic event before young adulthood. The impacts can be devastating—from anxiety and flashbacks to relationship difficulties and physical symptoms. Yet many people find themselves stuck in traditional weekly therapy, making incremental progress but never quite breaking through to full recovery.

"It was completely transformative," reports one client who underwent intensive trauma therapy. "This is stuff that I carried for decades. And I was able to put it away and move forward and my life has changed in amazing and fabulous ways."

The science supports this approach. Research shows that intensive trauma-focused psychotherapy can produce significant improvement at both two weeks and 12 weeks post-treatment, with large to very large effect sizes across measures of posttraumatic stress, quality of life, and overall functioning.

Why consider intensive trauma recovery?

• Rapid results: Achieve in days what might take months or years in weekly therapy
• Reduced dropout risk: Complete treatment before life's demands pull you away
• Deeper processing: Extended sessions allow for complete memory processing
• Momentum maintenance: Shorter gaps between sessions prevent regression
• Focused environment: Temporarily step away from daily stressors to prioritize healing

I'm Linda Kocieniewski, a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant who has helped countless individuals heal through specialized intensive trauma recovery programs designed to create breakthrough results in a condensed timeframe. My approach combines evidence-based techniques with compassionate care to help you move beyond trauma and create the life you've always wanted.

Intensive Trauma Recovery 101: Definition, Who, What

Have you ever felt like traditional therapy was moving too slowly? Like you were just scratching the surface of your trauma before the session ended? You're not alone.

Intensive trauma recovery represents a approach to healing that's changing lives. Instead of spacing out your healing journey over months or even years of weekly sessions, this approach brings deep, transformative work into a concentrated timeframe—typically several days to a week.

I developed my intensive approach after seeing too many clients struggle with the stop-start nature of traditional therapy. Just as they'd begin to process deeply, our time would end, sending them back into their daily lives where avoidance often took over, keeping those PTSD symptoms firmly in place.

The numbers tell a powerful story about why we need better approaches to trauma:

• Over 70% of people seeking therapy report trauma as an underlying issue
• More than 60% of adolescents experience trauma before reaching young adulthood
• Many people drop out of traditional weekly therapy before completing the full treatment

Intensive trauma recovery works beautifully for various trauma types, from single incidents like accidents or assaults to complex childhood trauma, developmental wounds, combat experiences, and even medical trauma. The concentrated format allows us to move through these experiences with focus and continuity that weekly sessions simply can't provide.

Traditional Weekly Therapy	Intensive Trauma Recovery
45-60 minute sessions	3-6 hour daily sessions
20-30 minutes of actual processing time	Several hours of sustained processing
167 hours between sessions	24-48 hours between sessions
Momentum lost between sessions	Therapeutic momentum maintained
May take 6-12+ months	Typically 3-10 days
Life stressors interrupt progress	Dedicated focus away from daily demands
Higher dropout risk	Lower dropout risk
Often focuses on coping skills	Deep processing and resolution

Why Choose an Intensive?

"I accomplished more in five days than I did in five years of weekly therapy." I hear comments like this frequently from clients who choose the intensive trauma recovery path. And research backs up these experiences.

Studies published in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology show that intensive EMDR therapy produces results that match or even exceed weekly therapy for PTSD symptoms—with significantly fewer people dropping out before completion. One particularly interesting study combined yoga with a 5-day EMDR intensive and found reliable improvement in PTSD symptoms in this remarkably short timeframe.

On average, participants in intensive trauma-focused psychotherapy needed just under 31 hours of treatment—about a week's time—to experience significant relief. Think about what that could mean for your life.

I love how trauma specialist Dr. Ricky Greenwald explains it: Would you rather change a flat tire 15 minutes at a time over several weeks, or just get it done in one focused session? Most of us would choose completion over prolonged processes.

There's also the practical side. Rather than rearranging your schedule for months of weekly appointments, you can dedicate one focused period to your healing and then return to your life, carrying new tools and perspectives with you.

Who Can Benefit?

I've seen intensive trauma recovery work wonders for a wide range of people, including:

Adults who've experienced single or multiple traumas. People who feel "stuck" despite trying traditional therapy. Busy professionals who struggle to commit to weekly sessions for months on end. Those experiencing intrusive PTSD symptoms that disrupt daily life. Individuals who've tried talk therapy but found it didn't resolve their deeper issues.

This approach is particularly valuable if you have a stable living situation, some basic emotional regulation skills, a support network you can lean on, and the ability to step away from daily responsibilities for a short time.

One client told me, "I'd been in weekly therapy for years, but we kept circling the same issues without resolution. The intensive format finally allowed me to go deep enough to truly heal. It wasn't easy, but it was so worth it."

Preparing for Intensive Trauma Recovery

Success in intensive trauma recovery doesn't happen by accident—it requires thoughtful preparation. Research consistently shows that trauma treatment outcomes improve when certain foundations are in place:

First, emotional stabilization is key. Before diving into intensive work, I'll help you develop basic coping skills to manage distress when it arises. This isn't about delaying your healing—it's about ensuring you have the tools you need to steer the process successfully.

Sobriety also matters significantly. Research clearly shows that trauma treatment outcomes are better when clients aren't actively struggling with substance dependence. Your brain needs to be present and clear to process and integrate traumatic experiences.

Your support network plays a crucial role too. Having friends, family, or support groups to lean on during and after your intensive creates a container of safety that improves healing. We'll talk about who those people are in your life and how to engage their support.

Basic self-care—maintaining sleep, nutrition, and physical health—provides the foundation upon which healing can build. And finally, your commitment to engage fully in the process makes all the difference.

As one of my colleagues wisely notes, "You can't do real intensive trauma treatment until some baselines are established." This preparation phase might include learning grounding techniques, developing a safety plan, and building a toolbox of coping strategies you can use during your intensive process.

If you're wondering whether intensive trauma recovery might be right for you, I invite you to reach out for a complimentary consultation. Together, we can explore whether this approach aligns with your needs and goals, and what preparation might help you get the most from this powerful healing experience.

Want to learn more about preparing for intensive trauma therapy? Visit my blog for more information about readiness.

Proven Methods That Power Intensives

Intensive trauma recovery isn't just about spending more time in therapy—it's about using the right therapeutic approaches that can create meaningful change in a compressed timeframe. These evidence-based methods have been carefully selected for their ability to help you process trauma deeply and efficiently.

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

When it comes to healing trauma, EMDR stands out as the "gold standard" approach. I've seen how this powerful method can help people release trauma that's been stuck for decades.

EMDR works through an eight-phase approach that helps your brain naturally process traumatic memories. What makes it so effective? The secret lies in bilateral stimulation—alternating left-right brain activation through eye movements, gentle taps, or tones. This mimics the brain's natural processing that happens during REM sleep, helping traumatic memories lose their emotional charge.

During an intensive, we can extend EMDR sessions to 1.5-2.5 hours, allowing us to complete full processing cycles without interruption. This means you don't have to revisit the same painful memory week after week—we can often process it completely in a single extended session.

One client described it as "finally being able to put down a heavy backpack I'd been carrying my whole life." The research backs this up, with studies showing significant improvements that last long after treatment ends. Want to learn more? Check out my comprehensive guide to understanding EMDR intensives.

Progressive Counting & Flash Technique

For some people, even thinking about facing traumatic memories feels overwhelming. That's where gentler approaches like Progressive Counting and the Flash Technique come in.

Progressive Counting is like dipping your toe in the water before swimming. We start with neutral memories while I count aloud, gradually working toward the traumatic material. This gentle exposure helps your brain process trauma without feeling flooded.

The Flash Technique takes this even further, with exposures lasting just milliseconds—literally a "flash"—while you focus on something pleasant. It's perfect if you've been avoiding trauma work because it felt too scary.

These newer methods can produce remarkable results in an intensive format. Research on crime victims with multiple traumas showed significant improvements using these approaches, with benefits still strong three months later.

Skills-First Frameworks

Before diving into deep trauma work, we need to make sure you have the right tools to steer the process. That's where skills-based approaches come in.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) gives you practical skills for managing overwhelming emotions. I often teach clients DBT's distress tolerance techniques—like using ice on your wrists during intense emotions—as preparation for trauma processing.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) helps you identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts that keep you stuck. For instance, many trauma survivors blame themselves, thinking "I should have done something different." In an intensive format, we can quickly identify these "stuck points" and help you develop more balanced perspectives.

Seeking Safety provides structured approaches to building stability and coping skills. These foundation-building elements are crucial before we dive into deeper work.

Body-Focused and Innovative Approaches

Trauma isn't just stored in your mind—it lives in your body too. That's why I often incorporate body-oriented approaches that help release trauma stored in your physical self.

Somatic Experiencing helps you notice and release physical tension related to trauma. Research shows that addressing trauma through the body can be incredibly effective, especially for trauma that occurred before you had language to process it.

Brainspotting uses the connection between your eye positions and your brain's emotional centers. When we find a "brainspot"—a specific eye position that activates trauma—we can access and process material that talk therapy alone might miss.

Mindfulness and yoga practices help regulate your nervous system, creating a foundation for deeper healing. One study showed that combining yoga with a 5-day EMDR intensive produced reliable improvement in PTSD symptoms in less than a week.

Newer approaches continue to emerge, including Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) which can produce results in just 1-4 sessions, and innovative combinations like Equine-Assisted EMDR that uses horses as co-therapists to help you connect with your body's responses.

What makes intensive trauma recovery so powerful is the ability to combine these approaches in a personalized way that meets your unique needs. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all protocol, I draw from these evidence-based methods to create a custom plan that aligns with your goals, preferences, and trauma history.

Want to learn more about the science behind these approaches? Check out this research on body-oriented psychotherapy or explore the scientific research on intensive EMDR.

The Intensive Trauma Recovery Journey Step-by-Step

Taking the first step toward intensive trauma recovery can feel both exciting and a little intimidating. Understanding what to expect helps ease those pre-therapy jitters and prepares you for this transformative experience. While I customize each program to fit your unique needs, there's a thoughtful structure that guides our work together.

Initial Assessment & Personalized Plan

Your healing journey begins with a comprehensive assessment that helps us determine if intensive therapy is the right fit for you. This thoughtful preparation phase is crucial for creating a roadmap custom specifically to your needs.

I start with a complimentary Zoom consultation where we discuss your goals and get a feel for how we might work together. This no-pressure conversation helps us both determine if we're a good match for this important work.

If we decide to move forward, I'll guide you through a more detailed clinical interview where we explore your trauma history, current symptoms, and the changes you hope to see. This isn't about reliving painful experiences—it's about gathering the information I need to create your personalized healing plan.

You might complete some standardized assessments that help measure your current symptoms and provide a baseline for tracking your progress. These assessments are valuable tools that help us identify exactly where to focus our energy.

Together, we'll develop clear, achievable goals for your intensive work. As one client shared, "Having concrete goals made all the difference—I knew exactly what we were working toward, which made the process feel less overwhelming."

We'll also create a safety plan to help you manage any distress that might arise during and after our sessions. This preparation ensures you have the tools you need to steer the healing process with confidence.

Daily Flow Inside an Intensive

The rhythm of an intensive trauma recovery program provides the perfect balance of deep processing work and gentle integration time. Here's what a typical day might look like in your intensive journey:

Your morning typically begins with a 3-hour session. We start with a check-in and grounding exercises (about 15-30 minutes) to help you feel centered and present. This creates the safe foundation needed for the deeper work to follow.

The bulk of our morning (about 2-2.5 hours) focuses on trauma processing using EMDR or other evidence-based approaches. We work at your pace, always mindful of your comfort level. We wrap up the morning with integration and stabilization exercises (about 30 minutes) to help you process what we've worked on.

A generous lunch break (1-1.5 hours) gives you time to rest, refuel, and reflect. Many clients enjoy a gentle walk, some stretching, or quiet journaling during this time—activities that support integration without overwhelming your system.

In the afternoon session (2-3 hours), we ease back in with brief grounding exercises before continuing our processing work or building specific skills you need. We always close with stabilization techniques and plan for your evening self-care, ensuring you feel grounded before ending our day.

The beauty of this format is that we have time to complete full processing cycles rather than having to artificially pause work when a standard therapy hour ends. As one trauma specialist notes, "The extended format allows us to follow the natural rhythm of processing rather than watching the clock."

Sessions typically run 3-6 hours daily over 3-10 consecutive days, depending on your needs and the complexity of what we're addressing. This concentrated format creates momentum that simply isn't possible in weekly therapy.

Safety & Support Measures

Your safety is my absolute priority throughout the intensive trauma recovery process. I've designed multiple safeguards to ensure you remain within your "window of tolerance"—that sweet spot where processing is possible without becoming overwhelmed.

I check in with you regularly throughout our sessions, monitoring your comfort level and adjusting our pace accordingly. Think of it as having your hand on the thermostat—you always have control over the intensity of our work.

We'll use grounding techniques that quickly bring you back to the present moment if needed. These simple but powerful tools help regulate your nervous system and keep you anchored in safety.

The pacing of our work is completely responsive to your needs. Some moments call for gentle, slow exploration, while others might allow for deeper processing. I'm constantly attuning to your responses and adjusting accordingly.

Before we begin intensive work, we'll develop personalized resources—positive internal images, memories, or sensations—that serve as emotional anchors during processing. These resources are like emotional life vests that help keep you afloat during challenging moments.

You'll also have clear guidelines for reaching out between sessions if needed. While most clients find they process smoothly within our structured time together, knowing support is available provides additional peace of mind.

Interestingly, the intensive format often improves safety compared to weekly therapy. Rather than opening up difficult material only to have to close it down when the clock runs out, we have time to process memories to completion, leaving you feeling more integrated at the end of each day.

Group & Community Elements

While individual sessions form the heart of most intensive programs, thoughtfully designed group elements can significantly improve your healing journey.

When appropriate, I may recommend participating in skills groups where you can learn and practice coping strategies alongside others on similar healing paths. There's something powerful about realizing you're not alone in your experiences.

Some intensive formats include optional process groups where you can share insights and receive supportive feedback from peers who truly understand. These connections often become valuable resources long after the intensive ends.

For some clients, including family members or close friends in a session can be incredibly valuable. These sessions help loved ones understand your healing journey and learn how to support you effectively.

Research consistently shows that healing happens best in community. As one trauma specialist explains, "Community helps counteract the isolating effects of trauma. When we heal together, we heal more deeply."

Maintaining Intensive Trauma Recovery Gains

The change that begins during your intensive continues long afterward. To support your ongoing healing, we'll create a comprehensive aftercare plan before you complete your program.

We'll schedule follow-up sessions to reinforce your gains and address any new challenges that arise. These might be more frequent initially and then taper as you feel more confident in your progress.

I'll recommend specific home practices custom to your needs—perhaps certain grounding exercises, journaling prompts, or mindfulness practices that support your continued integration.

We'll identify resources for ongoing support, which might include recommendations for support groups, books, or other healing modalities that complement our work together.

Together, we'll develop a relapse prevention plan that helps you recognize early warning signs of distress and respond effectively before old patterns can take hold again.

Most importantly, we'll create a practical integration plan that helps you apply your insights to daily life. This might include strategies for handling specific triggers, ways to communicate your needs in relationships, or techniques for maintaining healthy boundaries.

Many clients find that a combination of intensive work followed by less frequent maintenance sessions provides the ideal balance for sustained healing. As one client shared, "The intensive broke through barriers I'd been stuck behind for years. The follow-up sessions helped me apply what I learned to real-life situations as they came up."

Your healing journey doesn't end when our intensive work concludes—in many ways, it's just beginning. The tools, insights, and experiences you gain during our time together become the foundation for a more peaceful, connected life moving forward.

Results, Risks & Life After Intensive Work

What can you realistically expect from intensive trauma recovery? I've seen how this approach transforms lives, and research supports these observations while also acknowledging the challenges that may arise during the healing journey.

Expected Outcomes & Benefits

The research on intensive trauma recovery is genuinely encouraging. Studies show that clients experiencing PTSD typically see a 36% reduction in symptoms including avoidance, amnesia, detachment, and survival guilt. For those healing from interpersonal trauma, a 30% reduction in PTSD symptoms is common. These improvements aren't temporary—research confirms significant positive changes at both two and twelve weeks after treatment, with impressively large effect sizes.

Beyond these statistics, the real-life changes I witness in my clients are what make this work so rewarding. Many report sleeping through the night for the first time in years, no longer jolted awake by nightmares that once plagued them. The constant state of hypervigilance—that exhausting feeling of always being on high alert—often melts away, replaced by a newfound sense of safety in the world.

Relationships tend to flourish after intensive trauma recovery work. When you're no longer constantly managing trauma triggers, you have more emotional bandwidth for connection. As one client beautifully expressed, "I'm finally present with my family instead of always having one foot in the past."

The energy shift is remarkable too. Trauma consumes enormous amounts of mental and physical energy—energy that becomes available for living fully once healing occurs. Many clients find creative passions they'd abandoned or find the motivation to pursue dreams they'd set aside.

Perhaps most powerful is the renewed sense of possibility that emerges. As one participant shared, "I tell people I am cured from PTSD. I do not suffer from the symptoms of that anymore." This isn't just symptom management—it's change.

Potential Challenges

While the benefits are substantial, I believe in honest conversations about the challenges that may arise during intensive trauma recovery.

Emotional fatigue is common and completely normal. Think of it like the muscle soreness after an intense workout—it's evidence of the deep work being done. Your brain is literally rewiring neural pathways, and that requires energy.

Some clients experience a temporary increase in symptoms before improvement occurs. This isn't a sign that therapy isn't working; rather, it's often part of the healing process as you engage with material that may have been avoided for years.

The practical considerations matter too. Taking time away from work and family responsibilities requires planning and support. I work closely with clients to find timing that minimizes disruption while maximizing healing potential.

When you return to daily life with new perspectives and boundaries, some relationships may need adjustment. This integration phase is important, which is why I include specific aftercare planning to help steer these changes.

Interestingly, the intensive format actually reduces some challenges common in weekly therapy. Rather than repeatedly opening and closing traumatic material (which can feel like an emotional roller coaster), intensives allow for complete processing before returning to daily life.

Addressing Co-Occurring Issues

Trauma rarely travels alone. Many of my clients initially come seeking help for anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, sleep disturbances, or physical symptoms before recognizing the underlying trauma driving these issues.

The beauty of addressing root causes through intensive trauma recovery is that many of these related challenges naturally improve as trauma healing progresses. As I often tell my clients, "When you heal the roots, the whole tree gets healthier."

For those with a history of substance use, research clearly shows that trauma treatment outcomes improve with sobriety. Substances can interfere with the brain's natural ability to process and integrate traumatic material. That's why I recommend establishing sobriety before beginning intensive work—not as a judgment, but as a way to ensure you receive the full benefits of the therapy.

Each person's healing journey is unique. Some may find that additional targeted work for specific issues is helpful after the intensive, while others experience comprehensive improvement across multiple areas of functioning.

Family & Loved-One Support

The people in your life can be powerful allies in your healing journey. When loved ones understand trauma and recovery, they can provide invaluable support that improves the effectiveness of intensive trauma recovery.

I encourage family members to learn about trauma's impacts—how it affects the brain, body, and behavior. This knowledge fosters compassion and patience during the healing process.

Active, nonjudgmental listening is perhaps the greatest gift supporters can offer. Sometimes, simply being present without trying to "fix" anything is exactly what's needed.

Respecting boundaries around the therapeutic work is crucial. While some clients may want to share their insights and experiences, others prefer to process privately. Both approaches are valid and should be honored.

Practical support during and after intensive work can make a significant difference. This might include helping with daily responsibilities, encouraging self-care practices, or simply checking in without pressure.

I can provide resources to help your support network understand how best to assist your healing journey. When everyone works together, the path to recovery becomes smoother and more sustainable.

The transformative power of intensive trauma recovery extends beyond symptom reduction—it often leads to a more authentic, connected, and joyful life. If you're wondering whether this approach might be right for you, I invite you to reach out for a complimentary consultation to explore your options.

Finding Your Ideal Intensive Program & FAQs

Choosing the right intensive trauma recovery program is a deeply personal decision that can significantly impact your healing journey. Let's explore what to look for in a provider and answer some common questions that arise when considering this transformative approach.

How Do I Choose a Qualified Provider?

Finding the right therapist for your intensive trauma recovery journey is crucial. Think of this as choosing a trusted guide for one of the most important journeys of your life.

First and foremost, verify appropriate licensure – your therapist should be fully licensed in your state, ensuring they meet professional standards of care. Beyond basic credentials, look for specialized trauma training, particularly certification in evidence-based modalities like EMDR. These certifications require rigorous training and supervised practice.

Experience with intensives matters tremendously. Ask potential therapists about their specific background delivering trauma therapy in an intensive format. This work requires a different skill set than traditional weekly therapy.

Don't underestimate the importance of personal connection – schedule a consultation to gauge how comfortable you feel with the therapist. The relationship between you and your therapist is one of the strongest predictors of successful outcomes.

A well-designed intensive program should have a clear structure with defined format and goals, along with robust safety protocols to ensure your wellbeing throughout the intensive work. Finally, comprehensive aftercare planning should be built into the program to support your continued healing after the intensive concludes.

As a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant, I bring specialized training in delivering EMDR in an intensive format. My approach weaves together evidence-based techniques with warm, compassionate care to create a safe environment where deep healing can flourish.

You can learn more about my EMDR intensives services or explore what makes someone ready for intensive trauma therapy.

Is Intensive Trauma Recovery Right for Everyone?

While intensive trauma recovery offers powerful benefits for many people, it's not universally appropriate for everyone at every stage of their healing journey.

This approach may not be suitable if you're currently experiencing active suicidal thoughts or engaging in self-harm behaviors. Similarly, current substance dependence can interfere with the processing and integration necessary for effective trauma work.

If you experience severe dissociative symptoms without prior stabilization work, an intensive approach might be overwhelming. The same applies if you're in the midst of an acute psychiatric crisis or have certain medical conditions that could be exacerbated by emotional intensity.

Practical considerations matter too – you'll need the ability to temporarily step away from daily responsibilities and have a supportive network to return to after the intensive concludes.

During our initial consultation, we'll thoughtfully assess whether an intensive approach aligns with your current needs and circumstances, or if another treatment format might better serve your healing journey at this time.

Frequently Asked Questions about Intensive Trauma Recovery

What does a typical 5-day intensive include?

A 5-day intensive trauma recovery program is carefully crafted to create a container for deep, transformative work. Your program begins with a thorough assessment where we identify your specific goals and develop a roadmap for our time together.

Each day includes extended sessions (typically 3-6 hours) focused primarily on evidence-based trauma processing through EMDR. We'll balance this deep work with skill building and resource development to ensure you have tools to manage any emotions that arise.

Throughout the intensive, we'll incorporate integration activities to help your nervous system and psyche absorb and organize the healing work. The program culminates with comprehensive aftercare planning to support your continued growth.

The beauty of an intensive is that we can customize the structure to your unique needs and trauma history. No two intensives look exactly alike because no two healing journeys are identical. For information about scheduling and to discuss your specific situation, I invite you to reach out for a complimentary consultation.

Will I need additional therapy afterward?

Many clients find that an intensive trauma recovery program provides significant relief and meaningful change that continues to unfold in the weeks and months that follow. The concentrated format often allows for processing that might take months or years in traditional weekly therapy.

That said, some people benefit from follow-up sessions to reinforce their gains, address any emerging challenges, process additional material that may surface, and support continued growth and integration. These "booster sessions" can help consolidate the profound work accomplished during the intensive.

We'll discuss recommendations for follow-up care based on your unique situation and the progress we make during our time together. Some clients benefit from occasional check-ins, while others prefer to schedule a few regular sessions to ensure their new insights and healing become fully integrated into daily life.

Can I do intensive work online?

Yes! Intensive trauma recovery can absolutely be delivered effectively through secure online platforms. Research consistently shows that telehealth delivery of trauma-focused therapies can be just as effective as in-person treatment for many individuals.

When working online, I take additional steps to ensure your experience is seamless and supportive. We'll work together to create a private, comfortable space for your sessions, verify your technology is reliable, and develop improved grounding and stabilization strategies custom to the virtual environment.

We'll establish clear communication protocols and ensure you have appropriate support in your physical location. Many clients actually find that online intensives offer unexpected benefits – you can remain in the comfort of your own space, eliminate travel time, and immediately practice integrating your healing work into your everyday environment.

I offer both in-person sessions in my Midtown Manhattan office and online sessions throughout New York State, allowing you to choose the format that feels most comfortable and convenient for your healing journey.

You can learn more about the comprehensive approach to EMDR intensives and how to maintain progress after intensive therapy on my blog.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Taking the step toward intensive trauma recovery might feel big, but it's also incredibly brave. If you've read this far, you're already showing the courage needed to heal from trauma's effects. And the good news? This approach can help you break free from trauma's grip much faster than traditional weekly therapy.

By condensing months of therapeutic work into a focused period, intensives create a unique opportunity for deep, transformative change. The momentum builds day by day, allowing you to process difficult experiences without the weekly "start-stop" pattern that can sometimes slow healing.

The research backs this up beautifully. Study after study shows that intensive trauma-focused therapy leads to significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, overall quality of life, and day-to-day functioning. Best of all, these positive changes tend to stick around long after the intensive work is complete.

I'm Linda Kocieniewski, and I've dedicated my practice to helping people just like you find freedom from trauma. As a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant, I bring specialized training and heartfelt commitment to every intensive trauma recovery program I offer.

My approach is deeply personalized – because your trauma history is unique to you, and your healing journey should be too. Whether you're dealing with a single traumatic incident, complex childhood experiences, or developmental wounds that have shaped your life, intensive trauma therapy can help you process these experiences and move forward with greater freedom.

What makes my approach different? I believe in creating a warm, supportive environment where you feel safe enough to do this important work. I combine evidence-based techniques with genuine compassion, ensuring you never feel rushed or overwhelmed during our time together.

Many clients tell me they appreciate the focused nature of intensives – the ability to dive deep into healing work without waiting a week between sessions. There's something powerful about dedicating concentrated time to your wellbeing that can create breakthrough moments that might take months to achieve otherwise.

Are you wondering if an intensive approach might be right for you? The journey begins with a complimentary Zoom consultation where we'll talk about your needs and determine if we're a good fit for working together. I'll answer all your questions about the process, and together we'll create a personalized plan to help you heal.

My intensive trauma recovery programs are available both in-person at my Midtown Manhattan office and online throughout New York State. This flexibility allows you to choose the setting that feels most comfortable for your healing work.

To learn more or schedule your consultation, visit my EMDR Intensives page or reach out directly. Your path to healing is waiting – and you don't have to walk it alone.

Trauma may be part of your story, but it doesn't have to define your future. With the right support and approach, you can create the life you truly deserve – one where you feel more present, connected, and free.