EMDR Therapy Intensives: Fast-Tracking Your Healing in North Carolina (and Beyond)
When you’re prepared & ready for a deep dive—without waiting months.
1. What’s an EMDR Intensive Anyway?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful therapy approach for trauma, anxiety, and distressing life experiences. It helps the brain reprocess stuck memories, so you can feel safer, more grounded, and more yourself.
Now imagine doing that healing work in a way that’s focused, intentional, and efficient. That’s where EMDR Therapy Intensives come in.
Rather than meeting weekly for months, EMDR Intensives offer 1–3 days of immersive therapy, giving you time to go deep without interruption—and without waiting 10 weeks to feel a shift.
2. Why Choose an Intensive Instead of Weekly Therapy?
Let’s be real: some things just need momentum. Maybe you’re…
Stuck in patterns that won’t budge
Trying to process trauma you’ve avoided
An overly-scheduled adult who doesn’t have time for 6 months of therapy
Emotionally regulated—but ready to do deeper work
Preparing for or recovering from a major life change
EMDR Intensives meet you where you are, while giving your nervous system the space to move toward healing with more clarity, more quickly.
3. What to Expect From an EMDR Intensive
At Whole Mentality, EMDR intensives are offered by Erica Smith, LCSW, a trauma-informed, identity-affirming therapist who specializes in supporting queer folks, BIPOC clients, neurodivergent adults, and people living with chronic illness or medical trauma.
Here’s how it works:
🧠 Before the Intensive:
You’ll complete a consultation call to assess fit
If booked, you’ll later have a 2 hour consult
Erica will build a personalized intensive plan (no cookie-cutter therapy here)
🔁 During the Intensive:
4-7 hours of EMDR therapy per day (depending on if you book a half day, full day, or weekend)
Breaks and regulation tools are built into the flow
Expect a mix of somatic work, EMDR, and deep emotional processing
🧩 After the Intensive:
You'll schedule a follow up session
You’ll have the option for Erica to connect with your weekly therapist
Be reminded of resources and skills that supported you during your intensive
This format is not for everyone—but it’s powerful for clients who have already done some therapeutic work and are ready to for a deep dive.
4. Why Work With Erica?
Erica brings a direct, grounded, and radically affirming approach to trauma work. She’s not just trained in EMDR—she’s also committed to anti-oppressive care, cultural humility, and holding space for the intersections of identity.
Clients say Erica creates a space where you can be your full self: messy, healing, powerful, grieving, growing.
And, because Erica offers EMDR intensives in Raleigh, NC., some folks travel from out of state to do this work.
5. FAQs About EMDR Intensives
Q: How much does it cost?
A: EMDR intensives are private-pay only and not covered by insurance. You can see the investment costs here.
Q: Do I need to be in North Carolina?
A: You’re welcome to travel to our Raleigh office—or attend virtually if you live outside of the Raleigh area. You can also connect with Erica for travel resources should you choose to travel to NC from out of state.
Q: Is it the right fit for me?
A: This is something you can chat with Erica about during your consult, and please talk with your current outpatient therapist about potential readiness for this work.
6. Ready to Do the Work?
We won’t lie to you—this work isn’t light. But it’s worth it.
And if you’ve been looking for a deep dive, an EMDR Therapy Intensive may be the path for you.
EMDR Intensives with Erica Smith are for adults who are ready to invest in their healing. You don’t need to come perfectly prepared. You just need to come open.
📍 Available In-Person in Raleigh, NC | Virtual for Clients Across the state of nc.
💻 Schedule your consult: Contact us here