EMDR intensives in private practice: Early evidence for a feasible and effective model of care
Description
Introduction
EMDR Intensives are gaining international attention as an efficient and effective delivery format. Studies across inpatient, outpatient and online settings demonstrate strong effects in reducing PTSD symptoms (Bongaerts et al., 2002; Matthijssen et al., 2024), with emerging evidence supporting their use for other conditions (Hafkemeijer et al., 2023). However, little is known about how this model translates to private practice in Australia, where service delivery contexts and client populations differ from research and public sector settings.
Objective
This pilot explored whether EMDR Intensives can be feasibly, safely and effectively delivered within private practice, and how clients experience this model of care.
Methods
Twelve clients with transdiagnostic presentations completed a 9.5-hour EMDR Intensive. Using a mixed-methods design, demographic characteristics and readiness measures were collected alongside standardised outcomes (DASS-21; PCL-5) administered pre-treatment and one-week follow-up. The ACE-Q assessed childhood adversity and the MID-60 screened for dissociation. A feedback survey captured client perceptions of preparedness, satisfaction and overall experience.
Results
Of 12 clients, 67% had subclinical PCL-5 scores, 90% had no or mild dissociation, and 63% reported high childhood adversity (≥4 ACEs). Among those with full data, 63% showed clinically significant reductions on the DASS-21 and 71% on the PCL-5. No participants showed symptom worsening. Feedback indicated high satisfaction, preparedness and perceived value of the intensive format.
Conclusions
Preliminary findings suggest EMDR Intensives are feasible, safe and acceptable to deliver in private practice, producing meaningful symptom reductions across diverse clinical presentations. Further research should examine longer-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
EMDR Intensives are gaining international attention as an efficient and effective delivery format. Studies across inpatient, outpatient and online settings demonstrate strong effects in reducing PTSD symptoms (Bongaerts et al., 2002; Matthijssen et al., 2024), with emerging evidence supporting their use for other conditions (Hafkemeijer et al., 2023). However, little is known about how this model translates to private practice in Australia, where service delivery contexts and client populations differ from research and public sector settings.
Objective
This pilot explored whether EMDR Intensives can be feasibly, safely and effectively delivered within private practice, and how clients experience this model of care.
Methods
Twelve clients with transdiagnostic presentations completed a 9.5-hour EMDR Intensive. Using a mixed-methods design, demographic characteristics and readiness measures were collected alongside standardised outcomes (DASS-21; PCL-5) administered pre-treatment and one-week follow-up. The ACE-Q assessed childhood adversity and the MID-60 screened for dissociation. A feedback survey captured client perceptions of preparedness, satisfaction and overall experience.
Results
Of 12 clients, 67% had subclinical PCL-5 scores, 90% had no or mild dissociation, and 63% reported high childhood adversity (≥4 ACEs). Among those with full data, 63% showed clinically significant reductions on the DASS-21 and 71% on the PCL-5. No participants showed symptom worsening. Feedback indicated high satisfaction, preparedness and perceived value of the intensive format.
Conclusions
Preliminary findings suggest EMDR Intensives are feasible, safe and acceptable to deliver in private practice, producing meaningful symptom reductions across diverse clinical presentations. Further research should examine longer-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Incledon, E. (2026, May). EMDR intensives in private practice: Early evidence for a feasible and effective model of care. Poster presentation at the annual EMDRAA Conference, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Collection
Citation
“EMDR intensives in private practice: Early evidence for a feasible and effective model of care,” Francine Shapiro Legacy Library, accessed June 11, 2026, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/30292.