EMDR Intensive Therapy in Alaska—Resolve Trauma in Days, Not Years
Compress months of trauma therapy into days with an EMDRIA Approved Consultant trained in intensive EMDR treatment.
✓ EMDRIA Approved Consultant | ⭐ 100% Recommend (8 Reviews) | 📅 15+ Years Experience
A 30–60 minute consultation to determine if this approach is the right fit for you. Limited intensive spots available each month. Most clients book 3–6 weeks in advance.
If You’ve Tried Therapy and Still Feel Stuck
Many people who pursue EMDR intensives are not new to therapy.
They’ve done the work. They understand their patterns. They’ve talked through their experiences.
But something still isn’t shifting.
The same triggers remain. The same emotional responses return. The same patterns repeat.
If that’s your experience, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.
It may mean your brain has not fully processed the underlying trauma.
EMDR intensive therapy is designed specifically for this.
What Is EMDR Intensive Therapy?
Traditional therapy schedules trauma processing in 50-minute weekly sessions. But trauma does not occur on a weekly schedule, so healing does not always need to either.
EMDR Intensive Therapy creates a concentrated, immersive treatment experience where we work together for approximately 6–7 hours per day over several consecutive days within a week. Depending on the complexity of the trauma and the number of targets being processed, an intensive may extend beyond a single week.
This format allows the nervous system to stay engaged in the therapeutic process rather than repeatedly starting and stopping between weekly sessions.
An EMDR intensive allows us to:
✓ Bypass the “one step forward, two steps back” pattern that can occur between weekly sessions
✓ Process multiple trauma memories within a single intensive
✓ Maintain therapeutic momentum across consecutive days of focused work
✓ Achieve meaningful progress in days that may otherwise take months of weekly therapy
Research on intensive EMDR treatment formats suggests they can produce outcomes comparable to traditional weekly therapy while allowing many clients to experience meaningful progress in a shorter period of time.
Wondering what change can look like after treatment?
Read what former clients have shared about their experiences following EMDR Intensive Therapy.
What Clients Have Shared
Who Is EMDR Intensive For?
EMDR intensives are often a good fit for individuals who:
✓ have tried therapy but still feel stuck
✓ understand their patterns but cannot shift them
✓ are functioning but struggling internally
✓ want a more focused and efficient approach to trauma treatment
✓ prefer not to spend months or years in weekly therapy
Many clients who pursue intensives are not new to therapy; they are looking for a different level of treatment.
Why Some People Choose to Travel for EMDR Intensive Therapy
Many people successfully participate in therapy close to home. Others choose to travel for EMDR intensive therapy because stepping outside of their daily environment can create the space needed to focus more fully on healing.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Some individuals prefer receiving treatment outside their local community. This may be especially important for professionals, business owners, healthcare providers, therapists, first responders, public-facing professionals, or individuals living in smaller communities where they are more likely to encounter people they know.
For some, the ability to focus on therapy without concerns about running into colleagues, clients, patients, neighbors, or acquaintances provides an additional sense of comfort and privacy.
Some clients choose to travel because they prefer receiving treatment in a setting where they are unlikely to encounter colleagues, clients, patients, community members, or others they know personally.
Reduced Interruptions
Daily life often comes with competing demands, including work responsibilities, family obligations, appointments, emails, phone calls, and countless other distractions.
Traveling for an intensive allows many people to temporarily step away from these demands and devote uninterrupted time to their recovery.
Stepping Away From Daily Responsibilities
The environments where we live and work often contain reminders of the stressors we are trying to heal from. While healing can absolutely occur at home, some individuals find it helpful to create physical distance from their everyday routines.
Being in a different environment can provide an opportunity to focus on themselves in a way that may be difficult when managing the demands of daily life.
Focused Healing Time
One of the advantages of EMDR intensive therapy is the ability to devote concentrated time to treatment without waiting a week between sessions.
Rather than fitting therapy into an already busy schedule, an intensive creates dedicated space for assessment, processing, integration, reflection, and recovery.
Many clients describe this focused format as allowing them to stay engaged in the therapeutic process without repeatedly shifting attention back and forth between trauma work and the demands of everyday life.
A Destination Approach to Trauma Recovery
Some individuals choose Alaska not only because of the therapy itself, but because of the opportunity to step away from their usual environment and focus on healing in a setting that feels separate from their day-to-day responsibilities.
Whether someone travels for increased privacy, fewer distractions, focused treatment time, or simply the opportunity to dedicate time to themselves, EMDR intensive therapy can offer a different experience than traditional weekly therapy.
Learn more about what an intensive experience actually looks like in
What to Expect in EMDR Intensives: 1-Day, 2-Day, or 4-Day Trauma Therapy.
Military veterans and active-duty service members
Sexual abuse and assault survivors
Childhood trauma and attachment wounds
Single-incident trauma (accidents, assaults, medical trauma)
Treatment-resistant presentations
Not recommended for:
Active substance use or severe instability
Dissociative disorders without prior stabilization
Those preferring gradual, incremental approach
Not ready for concentrated trauma work
EMDR Intensives Work Particularly Well For
For decades, mental health treatment has followed the same pattern: fifty-minute sessions, once a week, stretched across months or years. When it comes to trauma, many clients experience a frustrating cycle; making progress one week, only to lose momentum before the next session. Traditional weekly therapy often creates a "one step forward, two steps back" pattern, leaving clients wondering if they'll ever truly heal.
EMDR Intensive Therapy offers a fundamentally different approach. Instead of dispersing trauma processing across months, intensive therapy compresses healing into four consecutive days of concentrated work. This continuous focus allows your brain to fully engage trauma processing without interruption, building momentum that weekly therapy can't match. Research confirms intensive EMDR is equally or more effective than traditional spacing, with results achieved in days rather than months.
If you've been in weekly therapy without breakthrough, if trauma symptoms significantly impact your daily life, or if you're ready to address trauma decisively rather than incrementally, EMDR intensive therapy may provide the relief you've been seeking. The question isn't whether healing is possible; it's whether you're ready to compress that healing into one transformative week.
Many people are surprised to learn that trauma memories have a limited reconsolidation window. You can read more about the neuroscience behind this process in our article:
The 5-Hour Window: Why Your Brain Can Heal Trauma Faster in EMDR Intensives.
EMDR Intensive vs. Traditional Weekly Therapy
National Comparison Chart:
*Special discounted rate for pre-paid services.
EMDR Intensive Therapy Costs
4-Day EMDR Intensive Therapy: $9,960*
Many clients initially focus on the cost of intensive therapy. More often, they later tell us they were comparing the investment to months or years of continued symptoms, missed opportunities, and ongoing weekly treatment that had not produced the change they were seeking.
The average number of intensive days is typically four but could be as few as one day and as many as nine days or more depending on how many traumas are needing processing.
What's Included:
✓ Specifically for multiple-traumatic experiences, including childhood and developmental trauma; abuse and neglect; assault and domestic violence; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD); military combat; medical trauma; and loss.
✓ Pre-intensive preparation session (90 minutes, virtual)
✓ Up to 28 hours of EMDR intensive therapy (4 days; 8:30am-4:30pm)
✓ Comprehensive treatment plan
✓ Follow-up brief check-in sessions (virtual)
✓ Between-session resource support materials
✓ Travel and lodging resources
Payment Terms:
25% deposit ($2,490*) to secure dates & reserve therapist time
Balance due will be processed 14 days before EMDR intensive
EMDR intensives are paid directly by clients, and we provide a superbill for potential partial insurance reimbursement
We recommend checking with your insurance company to see if your plan covers all or part of the cost
Many clients use a combination of reimbursement and funding options; details can be discussed during consultation.
Scheduling:
EMDR intensives are scheduled Monday-Thursday
Book 3-6 weeks in advance for best availability
Cancellation Policy:
15+ days notice: Full refund minus $500 administrative fee
Less than 15 days: Full deposit forfeited
Medical emergencies considered individually
Investing in intensive trauma treatment is a significant decision. Read how former clients have described changes in their symptoms, relationships, and quality of life following treatment.
A 30–60 minute consultation to determine if this approach is the right fit for you.
Limited intensive spots available each month. Most clients book 3–6 weeks in advance.
*Special discounted rate for pre-paid services. Regular rates for therapist are as follows: Yvette Curtis, $2,790 per day.
Why Choose Dr. Curtis for EMDR Intensive Therapy?
Dr. Curtis specializes in working with individuals who have not experienced meaningful relief from traditional therapy and are seeking a more focused, neuroscience-informed approach to trauma treatment.
Elite Training
EMDRIA Approved Consultant and EMDR Certified Therapist
Specialized trauma therapy and EMDR intensive therapy training with experts, pioneers of the intensive EMDR therapy model
Advanced training with leading intensive EMDR researchers
Multiple EMDR intensive therapy programs successfully completed with clients presenting with PTSD, complex trauma, and treatment-resistant symptoms
Comprehensive Approach
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
IFS (Internal Family Systems)
Flash Technique for high-disturbance memories
Emotionally Focused Therapy principles
Extensive Experience
Doctoral-level expertise
15+ years with complex trauma presentations
Military, indigenous, and diverse populations
Treatment-resistant cases
Substance use and co-occurring disorders
What to Expect EMDR Intensive Day-by-Day Process
BEFORE WE BEGIN:
Complimentary Intensive Therapy Consultation (30–60 minutes, virtual)
This consultation is designed to assess whether EMDR intensive therapy is the right fit for your needs.
Briefly discuss your situation to determine if you are likely to benefit from intensive therapy
Obtain an estimate of number of treatment days needed
See if therapist is a good fit for you
Answer any questions you may have about EMDR intensives
Pre-Intensive Assessment (90-120 minutes, virtual)
Assess your trauma history
Answer screener questions
Determine intensive readiness
Establish safety and grounding resources
Create treatment plan
Answer all your questions
Discuss travel and logistics
Intake (virtual)
Schedule the EMDR intensive trauma therapy
Complete an online consent forms
Hold your slot with payment for one day of your retreat and credit card authorization.
DAY 1: Monday (7 hours)Morning (8:30am-12:00pm):
Establish safety and therapeutic alliance
Resource development and stabilization
Begin trauma processing with carefully-selected memories
Break (12:00pm-1:00pm)
Afternoon (1:00pm-4:30pm):
Continue EMDR processing
Integration and grounding
Evening self-care plan
DAY 2: Tuesday (7 hours)
Deepen trauma processing
Address connected memories
Process stuck points
Integration work
DAY 3: Wednesday (7 hours)
Continue processing trauma network
Address remaining targets
Future template (imagining healed future)
Cognitive interweaves as needed
DAY 4: Thursday (7 hours)
Complete processing
Integration and consolidation
Relapse prevention planning
Aftercare and resources; follow-up with your local therapist
AFTER THE INTENSIVE:Follow-Up (included, virtual)
Post treatment check-in interview
Integration support services
Schedule follow-up with weekly local therapist or resource support
Discuss mini-one-day in-person or virtual intensive option to address any remaining material
Ensure lasting change
Travel to Alaska for Your EMDR Intensive
Serving Alaska, Nationwide, & International Clients through Destination Intensive Therapy
Most EMDR intensive therapy clients travel to Fairbanks from across the United States and internationally. Combining trauma healing with Alaska's transformative natural beauty creates a unique therapeutic experience.
Why Clients Choose Alaska:
An opportunity to step away from daily stressors, responsibilities, and routines
Northern lights (winter) and midnight sun (summer)
Peaceful, restorative natural setting
Opportunity for reflection and renewal
We Support your Travel:
Lodging recommendations
Airport pickup resources
Travel planning assistance
Alaska Residents:
We're honored to serve our local and state communities with the same specialized intensive therapy available to national and international traveling clients.
Planning Your Intensive
Many clients travel to Fairbanks for EMDR intensive therapy.
We provide guidance regarding:
• lodging options
• transportation resources
• arrival and departure planning
• local amenities and self-care activities
Detailed travel information is provided after scheduling to help you prepare for your intensive experience.
Serving Clients Across Alaska:
We're honored to serve our local community with the same specialized care available to traveling clients.
We provide EMDR intensive therapy for clients across Alaska, including Anchorage, Fairbanks, Eagle River, Wasilla, Palmer, Juneau, Soldotna, Kenai, and surrounding communities. Many clients travel from Anchorage and other parts of Alaska for focused EMDR intensive treatment and trauma recovery support.
[Download Complete Travel Guide PDF on your client portal]
Important to Know
Many clients do not have the full cost readily available when they first explore intensives.
Part of the consultation process includes helping you understand what options may apply to your situation.
Next Step
During your consultation, we can discuss:
• whether EMDR intensive therapy is the right fit
• what level of treatment may be appropriate
• what funding or reimbursement options may be available
A consultation is simply a conversation… no commitment required.
Financial Resources & Support
EMDR intensive therapy is a significant investment. Many clients initially feel unsure how they will afford it.
However, a number of clients are able to access funding or reimbursement through a combination of resources.
Common options include:
• HSA / FSA accounts (eligible medical expense)
• Out-of-network insurance reimbursement (superbill provided)
• Crime Victim Compensation programs (state-specific)
• Military and veteran resources (VA Community Care, TRICARE)
• Settlement or institutional funds (when applicable)
Some clients also use healthcare financing options or plan ahead using HSA/FSA contributions.
Related Articles
Many clients considering EMDR intensive therapy find the following articles helpful:
• Why Therapy Hasn't Worked for You (Even If You've Done Everything Right)
• Why Longer Trauma Sessions Can Work Differently Than Weekly Therapy
• The 5-Hour Window: Why Your Brain Can Heal Trauma Faster in EMDR Intensives
• What Trauma Does to the Brain: How Trauma Changes the Nervous System
• How to Calm Your Nervous System After Trauma: 7 Science-Backed Techniques
FAQs
Is EMDR intensive therapy as effective as traditional weekly therapy?
Research shows EMDR intensives are equally or more effective than traditional weekly therapy, with faster relief.
Will I be traumatized by doing so much EMDR therapy at once?
We carefully pace the EMDR intensive therapy work, take regular breaks, and use the most gentle techniques available. Many clients report it's LESS overwhelming than spreading trauma work over months or years.
What if I can't handle 7 hours EMDR intensive?
We work at your pace during the EMDR intensive with regular breaks. The day includes processing time, integration time, and rest periods.
Do you offer virtual EMDR intensives?
Yes, we offer a mix of in-person and virtual EMDR intensives for optimal therapeutic connection and safety.
What if I need more than 4 days for EMDR intensive?
Further sessions can be scheduled to address any remaining material. Some clients return for a second EMDR intensive or mini-one-day EMDR intensive session for additional trauma targets.
Can I bring a support person to the EMDR intensive?
Support persons are welcome to travel with you but do not participate in sessions.
Is This the Right Level of Care for You?
EMDR intensives are not necessary for everyone.
But they can be the right fit if:
• you feel stuck despite doing therapy
• symptoms continue to interfere with daily life
• you want a more efficient and focused approach
• you are ready to actively engage in trauma processingIf you’re unsure, the consultation is designed to help you determine that.
Ready to Begin Healing?
If trauma symptoms continue to affect your sleep, relationships, or daily life, EMDR Intensive Therapy may help your nervous system process and resolve what has been stuck.
Schedule Your Intensive Therapy Consultation
A 30–60 minute confidential consultation to explore whether an EMDR intensive are the right fit.
Limited intensive spots available each month. Most clients book 3–6 weeks in advance.
Client Reviews
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![Elite Mental Toughness® military suicide prevention program, trauma PTSD intensive therapy client | TraumaRecoveryInstitute.org | Alaska]()
“Since completing my EMDR intensive, I feel more present and at peace. The constant noise in my mind has quieted, and I no longer experience the trauma symptoms I once did. The internal pressure has settled, and I’m reacting differently; calmer and more grounded. I truly feel healed from my trauma and can finally rest in life.”
EMDR Intensive Client
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![EMDR therapy for PTSD trauma intensive therapy client | TraumaRecoveryInstitute.org | Alaska]()
"The training helped me understand what happens in my mind when I feel anxious and allowed my difficult emotions to release."
EMT Participant, Military Setting
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![EMDR therapy for trauma PTSD intensive therapy client | Alaska | TraumaRecoveryInstitute.org]()
"It put in perspective how distracting thoughts and feelings can be. I learned how to acknowledge thoughts but not giving them power. The activities were very helpful and now I am looking at myself from a different perspective."
EMT Participant, Military Setting
If You’ve Tried Therapy and Still Feel Stuck
Many clients who schedule this call have already done therapy and are looking for a more focused approach to trauma treatment.
This is not a general consultation; it is a structured conversation to assess whether EMDR intensive is appropriate for your needs.
Most clients schedule this consultation to determine fit. There is no obligation to proceed.
Schedule Your Intensive Therapy Consultation
This consultation is designed for people who have tried therapy and still feel stuck.
In this 30–60 minute consultation, we will:
discuss what has and hasn’t worked in previous therapy
assess whether intensive therapy is appropriate
review treatment structure, timeline, and logistics
determine next steps if we are a good fit
Limited intensive availability in July and August. Most clients book 3–6 weeks in advance.
Wondering what change can look like after treatment? Explore what former clients have shared about their experiences following EMDR Intensive Therapy.
Read Client Experiences →
A 30–60 minute confidential consultation to explore whether an EMDR intensive are the right fit.
Limited intensive spots available each month. Most clients book 3–6 weeks in advance.
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