Intensive Trauma Treatment (using EMDR 2.0)

A focused and efficient approach to trauma therapy that is designed to help you move forward sooner.

If you’ve been living with the ongoing impact of trauma, you may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated by slow progress in traditional weekly therapy. This intensive program offers a different path, one that is structured, evidence-based, and designed to create meaningful change in a shorter period of time.

Who This Is For

This program may be a good fit for you if:

• Are experiencing PTSD or Complex PTSD

• Feel “stuck” or haven’t made the progress you expected in previous therapies

• Want to address your symptoms in an intensive focused treatment period, rather than over months of weekly/fortnightly sessions

What You Can Expect

1. Comprehensive Assessment
We begin with a detailed assessment to understand your history, current symptoms, and goals, as well as to ensure this approach is right for you.

2. Intensive Treatment Phase
With slight variations which are dependent on your individual needs, therapy is conducted over 4-8 days, usually over a two week period. Treatment is usually conducted in person by online formats are available. Each day consists of 2 therapy sessions of around 1.5hours duration. These sessions will be some combination of EMDR 2.0, EMDR and Prolongued Exposure. Physical exercise between sessions has also been found to enhance results and so this is encouraged.

3. Integration & Follow-Up
A final follow-up session is arranged to review progress and provide support in moving forward following treatment.

Why EMDR 2.0?

EMDR 2.0 is an enhanced version of standard EMDR designed to increase the efficiency and impact of trauma processing. While traditional EMDR is already a well-established, evidence-based treatment for PTSD, EMDR 2.0 introduces modifications aimed at improving treatment speed and engagement.

1. Increased Working Memory Load → Faster Desensitisation

EMDR 2.0 deliberately increases working memory taxation (e.g., dual tasks, faster sets, modality switching).

• This reduces the vividness and emotional intensity of traumatic memories more rapidly

• Builds on established working memory theory underlying EMDR

2. Reduced Avoidance and Increased Engagement

EMDR 2.0 actively incorporates strategies to block avoidance and maintain engagement, such as:

• Therapist-driven pacing

• Continuous activation of target memories

• Interweaving tasks

This helps clients remain in contact with traumatic material long enough for effective processing.

3. Compatibility with Intensive Treatment Formats

EMDR 2.0 is particularly well suited to intensive delivery, where multiple sessions occur over a short period.

• Intensive trauma programs show large effect sizes and high remission rates (often 60–80%+)

• EMDR 2.0 enhances efficiency within these already effective models

Evidence:

• Ad de Jongh et al. (2016, 2018) – Intensive trauma treatment studies

• Suzy Matthijssen et al. (2020–2024) – Intensive EMDR outcomes

4. Faster Processing of Multiple Trauma Targets

EMDR 2.0 allows for:

• Rapid targeting of multiple traumatic memories within and across sessions

• Less time spent on stabilisation as research has found this to be an unnecessary component of trauma therapy

• Greater cumulative processing effect

• This may be particularly beneficial for complex PTSD presentations.

5. Evidence of Greater Efficiency

Preliminary studies and clinical reports suggest:

• Fewer sessions required compared to standard EMDR

• Comparable or potentially improved outcomes in shorter timeframes

Summary

EMDR 2.0 may be more effective—or more precisely, more efficient—than standard EMDR because it:

• Maximises working memory taxation

• Actively reduces avoidance

• Maintains high engagement during processing

• Integrates seamlessly with intensive treatment formats

Overall: It represents a promising advancement in trauma therapy, particularly for clients seeking faster, structured outcomes—though further high-quality comparative research is still needed.