EMDR Intensives
Sam Brilhante, LMHC
(she/her/hers)
Sam is a licensed therapist practicing in Rhode Island. She is deeply committed to guiding individuals through their journey of healing and self-discovery with empathy and collaboration. Sam primarily utilizes EMDR and parts work in her practice, offering a targeted approach to address trauma and emotional challenges. Additionally, she draws from a variety of talk therapy modalities to tailor her approach to each client's unique needs.
Sam has a particular passion for working with creatives, young adults, and adults, and she finds great fulfillment in supporting women through their personal growth and challenges. Her focus is on creating a safe and empowering space for clients to explore their strengths and overcome obstacles.
If you're seeking a therapist who will support and guide you with a warm, empathic approach, Sam is here to help you on your path 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.