Intensive EMDR at Tay Psychology
EMDR Intensive Therapy with Dr Ali Gibson
Dr Ali Gibson is a Counselling Psychologist and an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner. She specialises in trauma and complex psychological difficulties, offering a warm, collaborative, and evidence-based approach.
Her work integrates EMDR with a parts-informed perspective, informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS), recognising that different parts of us hold experiences, emotions, and protective roles. This allows therapy to proceed at a pace that feels safe, respectful, and deeply attuned to each person’s internal world.
Ali offers EMDR Intensive Therapy, a focused and structured approach designed to support meaningful therapeutic progress over a shorter period of time.
Her work integrates EMDR with a parts-informed perspective, informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS), recognising that different parts of us hold experiences, emotions, and protective roles. This allows therapy to proceed at a pace that feels safe, respectful, and deeply attuned to each person’s internal world.
Ali offers EMDR Intensive Therapy, a focused and structured approach designed to support meaningful therapeutic progress over a shorter period of time.
What is EMDR Intensive Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a well-established, evidence-based therapy for trauma and distressing life experiences, with a strong body of research supporting its effectiveness in reducing PTSD symptoms and improving psychological wellbeing.
EMDR Intensive Therapy involves delivering this approach in a more concentrated format over a shorter period of time. Emerging research suggests that intensive trauma-focused therapies, including EMDR, can be both safe and effective, with outcomes comparable to, and in some cases faster than, traditional weekly therapy. Studies of intensive EMDR programmes have demonstrated significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, with many individuals no longer meeting diagnostic criteria following treatment, and improvements maintained over time.
This format allows for deeper, more continuous processing, reducing the need to pause and re-engage each week, and supporting a more immersive therapeutic experience.
EMDR Intensive Therapy involves delivering this approach in a more concentrated format over a shorter period of time. Emerging research suggests that intensive trauma-focused therapies, including EMDR, can be both safe and effective, with outcomes comparable to, and in some cases faster than, traditional weekly therapy. Studies of intensive EMDR programmes have demonstrated significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, with many individuals no longer meeting diagnostic criteria following treatment, and improvements maintained over time.
This format allows for deeper, more continuous processing, reducing the need to pause and re-engage each week, and supporting a more immersive therapeutic experience.
Who Might This Help?
EMDR intensives may be helpful for individuals who:
- Have experienced trauma (single-event or complex)
- Feel “stuck” in previous therapy
- Would like to work through a specific difficulty in a focused way
- Have limited availability for ongoing sessions
- Prefer a contained, immersive therapeutic experience
What does EMDR Intensive Therapy look like?
EMDR Intensive Therapy is delivered as a structured therapeutic pathway, with careful attention to preparation, pacing, and integration.
1. Assessment & Planning (90 minutes)
A comprehensive assessment to understand your history, current difficulties, and goals.
This session allows us to determine whether an intensive is appropriate and to collaboratively plan the focus of the work.
2. Preparation Phase (2 weeks prior)
You will receive a guided workbook to support reflection and preparation ahead of the intensive.
This may include identifying key experiences, developing awareness of patterns, and beginning stabilisation work.
3. Intensive Therapy Sessions
Intensives are offered in the following formats:
4 hours (1 day)
8 hours (2 days)
12 hours (3 days)
The first part of the intensive focuses on:
This is followed by:
4. Follow-Up Session (60 minutes) – £120
A dedicated follow-up session to:
1. Assessment & Planning (90 minutes)
A comprehensive assessment to understand your history, current difficulties, and goals.
This session allows us to determine whether an intensive is appropriate and to collaboratively plan the focus of the work.
2. Preparation Phase (2 weeks prior)
You will receive a guided workbook to support reflection and preparation ahead of the intensive.
This may include identifying key experiences, developing awareness of patterns, and beginning stabilisation work.
3. Intensive Therapy Sessions
Intensives are offered in the following formats:
4 hours (1 day)
8 hours (2 days)
12 hours (3 days)
The first part of the intensive focuses on:
- Resourcing and stabilisation
- Grounding and nervous system regulation
- Establishing internal safety (including parts-informed work where helpful)
This is followed by:
- Targeted EMDR processing
- Ongoing pacing and integration throughout
- Breaks are built in to support regulation and consolidation.
4. Follow-Up Session (60 minutes) – £120
A dedicated follow-up session to:
- Review progress
- Support integration
- Consider any next steps
EMDR intensives are not suitable for everyone, and careful assessment is an important part of ensuring this approach is the right fit. EMDR is also offered in non intensive formats, where this is preferred or may be more suitable.
