Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Intensives
Sam Brilhante, LMHC
(she/her/hers)
Sam is a licensed therapist in Rhode Island specializing in EMDR therapy for young adults and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, life transitions, identity exploration, and relationship challenges. She has a particular passion for working with creatives, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals, creating a safe, collaborative space where clients feel supported as they heal, grow, and reconnect with themselves.
EMDR is the foundation of Sam’s work, helping clients process traumatic experiences, reduce emotional distress, and move beyond patterns that keep them feeling stuck. She also incorporates Parts Work, Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed principles, and other evidence-based approaches to tailor treatment to each client’s unique needs. In addition to traditional weekly therapy, Sam offers EMDR Intensives for clients seeking a more focused and immersive approach to trauma treatment, allowing for meaningful progress over an extended period of time.
Known for her warm, thoughtful, and compassionate style, Sam helps clients build insight, develop self-compassion, and create lasting change. Whether you’re working through trauma, navigating a major life transition, or simply looking to better understand yourself, Sam provides an empowering and personalized approach to healing.
Sam is in the Providence office on Fridays and also offers Telehealth sessions.
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a gentle and effective way to help you heal from difficult memories or experiences. It uses guided eye movements, tapping, or even sounds to help your brain process and release stuck emotions. Over time, this helps you feel lighter, less overwhelmed, and more in control of your feelings. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, or other emotional challenges, EMDR is a warm, supportive approach that allows you to heal at your own pace, helping you feel calmer and more at peace.
EMDR often provides quicker relief from symptoms compared to talk therapy, especially for trauma or PTSD. It’s beneficial for clients who find it hard to talk about their traumatic experiences. Studies suggest that the benefits of EMDR last well after therapy ends, with reduced re-traumatization.
Why Should I Choose an EMDR Intensive?
Talk therapy, also known as traditional psychotherapy, involves open dialogue between the therapist and client. It focuses on discussing emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to gain insight into life challenges, develop coping strategies, and process difficult emotions.
EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a more structured approach, primarily used to treat trauma. It involves guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation while the client focuses on distressing memories. This process helps reprocess traumatic events, allowing the brain to integrate them in a less emotionally intense way.
Benefits of EMDR Intensives:
Speed and Efficiency: EMDR intensives are typically structured to condense treatment into a shorter period, often over several days, rather than the traditional weekly sessions. This can be beneficial if you need to make significant progress quickly or if you have scheduling constraints.
Deep Work: The intensive format allows for deeper and more focused work in a shorter timeframe, which can be advantageous for processing complex or entrenched trauma. The continuous nature of an intensive can help maintain therapeutic momentum and provide a more immersive experience.
Personal Preference: Some people find that an intensive allows them to fully immerse themselves in the therapeutic process without the interruptions of daily life or long waits between sessions.
Special Circumstances: For those who might not be able to commit to regular sessions due to travel, work, or other personal constraints, an intensive can offer a practical alternative.
EMDR Intensive Schedule & Fee Planning
EMDR Intensives are longer than the traditional “therapy hour”, therefore they are not covered by insurance.
You will receive an invoice following the completion of your session each day, based on the time spent in treatment.
Extended Sessions
Your personalized treatment plan and intensive schedule will be determined during your Clinical Intake Assessment. This plan can be adjusted as needed.
Duration: 2-4 hours per day
Perfect for addressing specific goals, events, or traumas
Highly effective for recent traumas (assaults, car accidents, divorce, etc.)
Can be scheduled on consecutive days
Rate: $175 per hour
Overview Of The EMDR Intensive Treatment Process
Step 1: You will receive a complimentary 10-minute phone consultation to determine whether EMDR is clinically appropriate for your needs.
Step 2: You will attend a 60-minute clinical intake assessment to establish a diagnosis and develop a structured treatment plan. This appointment may be billed through insurance.
Step 3: Initiation of the EMDR intensive treatment process.
You and your provider will work together to determine your EMDR intensive treatment plan. This will include a planned schedule for intensive sessions.
You will receive a personalized treatment workbook designed to support preparation, active processing, and post-intensive integration.
Your treatment plan will include clearly defined goals and identify specific target experiences, including distressing beliefs, physical sensations, emotions, and imagery.
Following the intensive, a structured post-session interview will assess progress, consolidate gains, and outline recommendations for continued support as you integrate changes.