intensive emdr retreats

We offer personalised intensive residential compassion focused attachment informed EMDR retreats in the beautiful Somerset countryside.  Every retreat is tailored to individual personal needs.  The retreats are led by Beverley, who has extensive experience treating complex mental health conditions, such as BDD, C-PTSD, DID, chronic pain conditions, and a variety of other mental health issues. 

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Unlike other therapy modalities, EMDR can bring about dramatic improvement over a shorter time period, and so this is an ideal way to maximise upon this in order to move on with life or to kick start your recovery.  Intensive EMDR is beneficial for any issue that you would have standard weekly therapy for.  However, working intensively makes use of the fact that once you trigger the onset of processing the healing continues, not just for the next couple of days, as it would in weekly EMDR, but for significantly longer.  Therefore if we continue processing, rather than pausing for another week, so much more can be achieved.  This can be particularly helpful for those who want to quickly resolve symptoms following a traumatic event, or for those who want to speed up their recovery process. 

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Whilst the initial cost up front is obviously higher then weekly therapy, it achieves so much more over a shorter period of time that it can work out to be more cost effective over all.  If it allows you to get your life back on track much more quickly then there are other obvious savings and benefits from that. Intensive residential EMDR has been carried out successfully in Holland for many years now offering an interesting and mixed programme comprising EMDR, psychoeducation, CBT, and exercise over a 4 days on, 3 days off and 4 days back on programme. 

 

Whilst this 4 day on, 3 day off, and 4 day on programme is the ideal gold standard option, we offer various packages from an intensive half or full day, a 4 day retreat over the course of a long weekend (Thurs-Sun), right up to the full programme.  Whilst the work is intense, there will be time to pause as and when necessary to reflect on what's coming up.   If you choose to stay on site, accommodation will be in your own self contained 2 bed or 1 bed apartment with access to the swimming pool and gym during your stay to unwind, which is an important part of the programme as in Holland.  Alternatively, there are several other cottages, lodges, or pubs with good food and accommodation locally.  

 

Prior to booking a retreat an on-line assessment will be arranged with Beverley to assess suitability for intensive EMDR and to make an individual treatment plan together to ensure we make the most of our time together. It is really important to have an ongoing therapy plan in place for after the retreat with an existing therapist and this will be discussed at the initial consultation.  If you do the full programme there will be a follow up appointment at 2 weeks, followed by at 3 months.  

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FEES:  Please note that these retreats are not free, and are priced around a typical hourly rate.  Accommodation is booked independently by yourself and we are not able to negotiate a cheaper rate for you.  If you are applying for therapy on a budget then we offer weekly therapy on a more affordable basis according to income - not free - but this option isn't possible for the retreats as we don't receive any grant backing for them.  The retreats are not always covered by health insurance packages, but we do work with AXA PPP, Aviva and Vitality for weekly therapy and AXA PPP have covered the cost of intensive EMDR with us in the past so its worth asking them.

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Typical packages:

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90 minute assessment online                 - £150

Full day EMDR Intensive                        - £720

Four full days (Thurs-Fri) retreat             - £2,800

Five day (mid-week) retreat                    - £3,500

7 day (Thurs-Wed) retreat                       - £5,000

8 days (Thurs-Sun x 2. Mon-Wed off)     - £5,650

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A follow up appointment will be booked prior to the retreat, and any ongoing therapy needs will be discussed at the assessment and at the follow up.  

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We also run group retreats for EMDR therapists.

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For further details see our other sister website https://www.hannahsproject.co.uk/ and for availability please send a message via our Contact page on either website.

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Testimonials:

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"Intensive EMDR presents a compelling option to potentially accelerate the path to recovery.  My personal experience, with significant progress achieved in just a three-day program, suggests its effectiveness.  The flexibility of online or offline sessions (assessment and follow-up sessions available online, with the retreat in person in Somerset) makes intensive EMDR even more accessible.  For those seeking a faster and potentially more impactful treatment path, intensive EMDR is definitely worth considering." 

(2024, CSA, Anon.)

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"Last September I went on an intensive EMDR retreat over the course of three days for complex trauma.  Initially I was very apprehensive.  I had no experience of EMDR, and I wasn't sure if I truly wanted to face years of suppressed trauma.  I also struggle with ADHD symptoms, so I wasn't sure if I'd be able to concentrate for the amount of time required.

 

Instead, intensive EMDR was the breakthrough that I didn't know I needed. Beverley was very patient and gentle with me. We went at a pace that was right for me, which included regular breaks, so I could concentrate and focus the whole time and I found the weekend flew by! 

  

Intensive EMDR was the starting point for me in facing years of trauma, that resulted in debilitating health issues. Through the retreat, Beverley knew I was a Christian, and allowed me to bring God into the memories and pain that resurfaced. Through it, I started finding healing. Not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually too. I found God was there even in my brokenness, and that I am loved.

  

Intensive EMDR was a good starting point for me, to allow time and space for me to open a door that I'd shut for so many years. I then have continued with EMDR weekly since, which is allowing me to walk into the healing God has promised me. For nearly a decade I have struggled with chronic pain and severe fatigue. Since intensive EMDR, I went from being in a wheelchair, to crutches, to now being able to walk again. I was also previously diagnosed with severe asthma, and told Id be on high dose prednisolone for life. Now, my breathing is far more controlled. I'm in hospital less with asthma attacks, and am now on a low prednisolone maintenance dose, with the possibility of further reducing my asthma medication over the coming months. To my surprise, I found many of symptoms diagnosed as physical illnesses, were in fact body memories and trauma related. Each day I'm finding freedom and healing.

  

Beverley has a really compassionate approach, that has allowed me to face pain without feeling judged or condemned. I struggle to trust people, but I found Beverley quickly became someone I could trust, and who hasn't given up on me. I would highly recommend intensive EMDR as a starting point for anyone considering EMDR. It isn't a quick fix for severe complex trauma, but it took me much further than I could have done with weekly EMDR. For me, it's been an amazing and life-changing opportunity to start walking in freedom and healing." 

(2023, CSA/Somatic symptoms, Anon.)

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"I spent a weekend at Beverley's intensive EMDR retreat in 2022. I was very nervous about going and doing intensive therapy beforehand but Beverley was so helpful, talked me through what to expect and helped me find accommodation in a really calming and relaxing environment within walking distance of the resort. The retreat itself could not be any more relaxing, in a quiet and picturesque village in the countryside, surrounded by fields and farms, and Beverley made every effort to welcome me and put me at ease.

I had done some remote based EMDR beforehand and found that the EMDR retreat was much more intensive: in terms of the amount of time spent doing it - essentially two full days with breaks and lunch, it was the equivalent of about 2 months worth of sessions remotely packed into 2 days. I think this made it more effective and it led to a fairly significant breakthrough during the weekend. I also found it was very effective and helpful being in the same room as the therapist and also being able to use the full range of EMDR equipment which you don't have access to remotely.

Although it was draining, I found that doing intensive EMDR really moved me on in my recovery. Not only that, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, in some fantastic accommodation with plenty of lovely pubs and walks around and the warmth of Beverley's hospitality. Thank you for having me." (2022, BDD, Anon.)

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"My weekend of intensive EMDR with Beverley was a really important part of my journey - I have had many years of weekly psychotherapy and it was so refreshing to be able to 'keep going' rather than stop after 50 minutes. Beverley is an intelligent and kind companion on the EMDR journey. My first intensive was over a year ago and I still frequently reflect on moments that came up during my sessions. I'm hoping to return for a further intensive soon." (2023, Body image/attachment difficulties, Anon)