Would it surprise you to learn that we are wired to connect with other humans from birth? Struggling with a sense of disconnection, feeling like parts of yourself are scattered or out of reach, losing time, and feeling like you may be detached from your own experiences are all signs of trauma.

Some more specific trauma symptoms include:

•  Intrusive thoughts or memories: Unwanted, recurring thoughts or images related to the traumatic event.

•  Nightmares: Distressing dreams often related to the trauma. This could also include nightmares that are not directly related to the traumatic experience. 

• Flashbacks: Vivid re-experiencing of the traumatic event, feeling as if it's happening again.

• Avoidance: This can be as simple as walking down the other side of the street or as complex as vowing never to visit a specific place or area. 

• Hypervigilance: Being on constant alert for danger, easily startled. This can also be as simple as needing to have an exit strategy, or knowing where all the doors are in every location you visit. 

• Irritability or anger outbursts: Increased emotional reactivity, often disproportionate to the situation. Frequently, I have witnessed people who have been told their anger or irritability is inappropriate which then creates a disconnect. 

• Sleep disturbances: Insomnia, difficulty falling or staying asleep, or oversleeping. It’s not so much what the sleep disturbance looks like that is the issue, it’s the inability to get rejuvenating sleep. 

• Emotional numbing: Feeling detached from emotions or unable to experience positive feelings.

•  Physical symptoms: Headaches, digestive issues, or other unexplained physical pain. Sometimes when we’ve experienced a trauma or multiple traumas it can create physical manifestations. Chronic pain and chronic illness is often tied to trauma.

• Dissociation: Feeling disconnected from oneself or one's surroundings. Dissociation is also when you lost time and can’t remember what happened. 

• Risk-taking behaviors: Engaging in dangerous activities or substance abuse. This can also be more covert things such as driving recklessly or having unprotected sex. 

• Relationship difficulties: Trouble maintaining close relationships or trusting others.

The Benefits of EMDR Intensives for Varying Trauma Responses

It’s crucial to remain mindful of the reality that trauma responses can vary significantly between individuals. Not everyone will experience all or even most of these symptoms. 

If you are struggling with any of the above symptoms, or any symptoms not listed above I would strongly encourage you to consider an EMDR intensive. EMDR intensives are concentrated, multi-hour sessions conducted over a short period, usually a few days to a week. This approach offers a protected space for your disconnected parts to come together and heal.

If you have a single episode traumatic experience EMDR intensives can be very beneficial because you can meet with the person and achieve rapid results. Whereas in traditional psychotherapy sessions that are limited to 53 minutes, it can take much longer to achieve those same results. 

If you have a more complex and chronic trauma history, an EMDR intensive can be helpful to help you get tangible results. Oftentimes in weekly 53-minute session therapy, it can be difficult to see the progress you have made. 

Some of the more well known benefits of EMDR, specifically for those who have a bit more dissociation  include: 

1. Swift Integration: Experience months of internal harmony in just a few days. This sounds so hyped up, but truly when you can resolve traumas in a single setting or multiple-day setting versus years of therapy there’s no denying it. 

2. Uninterrupted Reconnection: Maintain a continuous thread of healing without weekly gaps. Oftentimes when people have a complex trauma history it can be challenging to remind yourself that you can trust this professional sitting across from you. For some people, it’s a weekly battle and eats up much of the 53-minute therapy time. In an intensive, when you are working to change a trauma experience you stay with that. You don’t have to pack it away and pick it up next week. 

3. Sheltered Exploration: Dive deep into your inner world, free from external distractions. It can be so affirming to not have to rush out of the therapy office and get back to work, school, or whatever life holds for you. To be able to sit with this professional and heal your traumas is transformative. 

4. Economical Healing: Often more cost-effective than months of traditional therapy. Many times there is a substantial financial investment with EMDR intensives. When you compare it to five or 10 years of weekly therapy, most people agree that it all balances out. 

5. Flexible for Chaotic Lives: Whether scheduling is a challenge for you because you have a higher level of dissociative experiences, your work schedule is packed, you are a parent to teens or children; the scheduling flexibility of an EMDR intensive can be so beneficial. 

Anyone can benefit from an EMDR intensive. Studies have shown that EMDR intensives can lead to significant improvements in dissociative symptoms. The concentrated format allows for continuous processing, helping to bridge disconnected parts and memories. Many clients report feeling a profound sense of internal cohesion and groundedness after just a few intensive sessions.

If you're yearning for inner peace and connection, EMDR intensives might be your sanctuary. Consult with a qualified EMDR therapist specializing in dissociation to explore if this approach aligns with your healing journey.

Remember, healing is possible, and EMDR intensives could be your path to a more unified, peaceful self. If you are interested in an EMDR intensive please click the button below.