Question 1

What is an EMDR Intensive/Immersion Program?

Accepted Answer

An EMDR Intensive (or my version, the Immersion) is a focused therapy format where we work together for extended (2 hour) sessions over 3 or 6 days, rather than in shorter weekly appointments.

This allows more time for preparation, regulation skills, processing stuck patterns, and integration without the stop-start feeling that can happen in standard therapy. Many clients find this creates stronger momentum and deeper progress in a shorter period of time. 
I have so many clients report that they start seeing positive change, even before the program has finished!

My intensives are designed to be trauma-informed, paced carefully, and tailored to your nervous system capacity. They are not about pushing you beyond your limits. I utilise a combined approach of EMDR therapy, parts work therapy, and RI-EMDR (read more here about my therapy style) 
You may also choose to add on a retreat-inspired, spa style package including massage, yoga, a bathhouse visit and similar to really up your self-care game. Read more about the program here.

Question 2

What is the difference between traditional therapy and intensives?

Accepted Answer

Traditional therapy usually involves 50–60 minute sessions weekly or fortnightly over a longer period of time (with EMDR therapy, often 6+ months).

Intensives offer longer sessions across consecutive days, allowing us to stay with the work for longer, build depth, and reduce the time spent re-entering the story each week. We can work through the same amount of material in 3-6 days, that you might unpack in 3-6 months of traditional therapy.

Question 3

Who can do EMDR intensives/ who are intensives best for?

Accepted Answer

EMDR Intensives (Immersions) can be a great fit for people who:
feel stuck in weekly therapy (or your amazing therapist unfortunately doesn’t do EMDR, but you don’t want to start all over/ change therapists!!!)
want focused trauma work, without getting side tracked by life stuff
are motivated for change
have limited time during the week (shift work, work hours, parenting etc)
would travel for specialised support, or do therapy online
prefer immersive work over ongoing appointments
want to work through a specific issue or pattern, with clear goals
Have good supports around you, and some tools you already use to support your emotions 
Do not presently have risk factors that could affect your safety during therapy (which we will discuss)

I have a careful process that we work through together to assess whether an intensive format is clinically appropriate for you. Sometimes weekly therapy or a blended approach is the better fit, and I can refer you to a skilled therapist in that case.

Question 4

Do you offer Medicare rebates/ private health / NDIS funding

Accepted Answer

Medicare
Yes, Medicare rebates are available for eligible clients in Australia with a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) and referral from your GP.

As an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, eligible sessions may attract a Medicare rebate in line with current government rates and limits.

Please note, that Medicare will only pay one rebate per day. Even though you are undertaking a longer session, with a higher fee, you will only receive one standard rebate. Therefore you will receive 4, or 7 rebates in total for your program, of $87.25

If you have reached your Medicare Safety Net, you may be eligible for up to 80% of each session rebated. You would need to discuss this with Medicare ahead of time.

PHI
Private health rebates may also be available depending on your insurer and level of cover. Please check directly with your fund for your specific entitlements.

NDIS
NDIS generally does not fund trauma therapy or mental health treatment. If you have therapeutic needs and NDIS goals that you think are best met by an intensive program (with for example, a capacity building focus), you can speak to your Support Coordinator or plan manager about whether you can seek reimbursement from your NDIS plan.

Please note, that program fees are payable upfront, and there will be approximately $80 per hour out of pocket fee that your NDIS plan is not likely to reimburse. We are unfortunately unable to bill plans directly.

Feel free to ask me if utilising a Medicare Mental Health Treatment Plan is more suitable for your situation.

I do not have availability to provide ongoing therapy, and any follow up reports needed will be offered at my standard clinical hourly rate.

Other 3rd Party Funding
At this time I cannot offer WorkCover, BUPA Open Arms etc. I have provided therapy under the Redress Scheme and FAS in that past, but they have historically not covered Intensives. There is usually an out of pocket cost associated with these funding types.

Question 5

What is EMDR therapy?

Accepted Answer

EMDR therapy is firmly established as a leading trauma therapy and  treatment for mood disorders, anxiety, pain, performance and grief. It is an 8 phase therapy which includes stages for planning, emotional preparation, reducing distress of old traumas, & supporting you to make new positive beliefs. I am an EMDRAA Accredited EMDR practitioner. You can read more on the EMDR Association of Australia website.

EMDR is endorsed by Medicare Australia as a Focussed Psychological Strategy, and the World Health Organisation. It treats symptoms, rather than targeting diagnoses, and has shown excellent efficacy in PTSD studies, for symptom relief and resolution. 
 
EMDR utilises ‘bilateral stimulation’ and in your sessions we may utilise left-right eye movements, self-administered tapping on the body, or holding ‘buzzies’

I offer a unique, organic approach to online and in-person clients called Relational Integrative EMDR. It combines EMDR, neuroscience, attachment needs, Parts Work, and somatic approaches to address complex PTSD and other concerns.
 
The power of RI-EMDR in my Immersions program is that even if we decide collaboratively that traditional EMDR processing is not suited to you, it provides a range of options for supporting symptoms, building readiness for future trauma processing, and improving emotional regulation and regulation skills.

Question 6

Is EMDR therapy okay for neurodivergent clients?

Accepted Answer

Yes. EMDR can be highly effective for neurodivergent clients when it is adapted thoughtfully and delivered in a neurodivergent-affirming way. I will meet with you ahead of time to ensure that my program is compatible with your processing style.

Many neurodivergent adults carry trauma related to misunderstanding, masking, bullying, repeated criticism, sensory overwhelm, burnout, or feeling “not enough.” EMDR can help process these experiences and reduce the emotional charge attached to them.

I have successfully supported clients without visual memories  or interoceptive differences to use their own individual concept of a ‘felt sense’ to process their past trauma.

I tailor therapy to your communication style, sensory needs, pacing, processing speed/ style, and capacity. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Question 7

What is Parts Work / Resource Therapy?

Accepted Answer

Parts work is a therapeutic approach that recognises we all have different inner states or “parts” of ourselves. These are simply neural (brain) pathways that usually develop early in life and activate different coping styles in the moment.

However, it can be much easier to understand them as younger parts of us, usually stuck in the past:
a part that wants change (but other parts keep doing something unwanted)
a part that feels overwhelmed
a part that avoids tasks or is unmotivated
a part that strives for perfection at all costs
a part that protects you from failure or rejection

Rather than fighting these parts, therapy helps us understand them, reduce inner conflict, and create more internal cooperation. This can be especially helpful for trauma recovery, procrastination, self-criticism, and emotional regulation.

My work is likely to draw on both EMDR and Resource Therapy depending on your needs. You can learn more here - is is a page geared to therapists, but may interest you.

Question 8

What if I don’t have clear memories? Or many memories at all?

Accepted Answer

That is completely okay. You do not always need to have clear, detailed memories for this style of therapy to be effective. However, I will work closely with you to determine your compatibility with the program ahead of time, to ensure it can still be effective for you.

Many people don’t remember experiences in a neat storyline. Trauma and stress are often stored as:
a felt sense in the body
emotions that seem bigger than the current situation
patterns of shutdown, anxiety, or avoidance
strong reactions without knowing why
beliefs such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not safe”
recurring relationship or life patterns

Sometimes the nervous system remembers what the mind cannot put into words. I call this ‘leaving an impression’ without explicit memories.

In EMDR therapy, we never force memory recall. We can work gently with what is present now- your body sensations, emotions, triggers, beliefs, and current patterns. This can still create meaningful healing and change.

Approaches such as EMDR, parts work, and resource-based therapy can often be adapted to work with felt sense, implicit memories, and present-day responses rather than requiring explicit memories.

Question 9

Are Intensives really intense?

Accepted Answer

This is a common question, and it is why I have called my program the Immersions program! EMDR intensives are simply a condensed-format therapy program, designed around your comfort and nervous system.

Whilst we will almost certainly bring up and support strong emotion, my clients are nearly always surprised how gentle and containing my parts-informed EMDR therapy approach feels. 
The biggest complaint or ‘side effect’ reported to me is a feeling of being drained or tired after sessions, especially the first one to two sessions.

Question 10

What if therapy hasn’t worked before?

Accepted Answer

That does not mean therapy cannot help.

Sometimes therapy hasn’t worked because the approach or therapist wasn’t the right fit, it moved too slowly or too quickly, it relied on talking/ intellectualising instead of processing, didn’t address trauma directly, wasn’t neurodivergent-affirming, or focused only on insight without helping the nervous system shift.

Many (if not most) clients come to me after trying two or more other approaches. We work collaboratively to find an approach that fits you.

Question 11

Why don’t you offer regular, traditional therapy?

Accepted Answer

There is nothing wrong with traditional model therapy, and I practiced it for a number of years. It certainly suits many people!

The short answer is, I have a strong preference for intensive format therapy simply because I find it incredibly effective for my clients. It is not magic; but I am yet to see a client not experience significant change during the program.

As a clinician, I personally find the work dynamic, interesting, a wonderful challenge for us both, and very fulfilling. The depth in which I can connect with my clients in a short period of time never ceases to amaze me.

It is not the right format for everyone. However, it is incredibly rewarding to see my clients work through and shift emotional material they have carried for years, in the space of a week or two.
On a personal note, I have completed an Intensive EMDR program with a therapist myself. Having experienced it first-hand, I can attest to the convenience of the intensive format. It was tiring on the day, but it really suited my personality!

Question 12

Where do you work? Is online therapy effective?

Accepted Answer

I am based in Geelong, Victoria and I offer my Immersions in-person. I have clients travel from across Victoria and even interstate; I love this because I recommend staying locally and taking the time away from every day life to focus on you!!

I also offer therapy online for Australian-based clients.  Online therapy can be highly effective and, for many clients, even preferable. It can reduce travel stress, support comfort in your own environment, and increase accessibility. You do need a private space and reliable internet connection.

EMDR and parts work Immersions can both be adapted effectively for online sessions when clinically appropriate.

It is hard to describe, but when working online, I am still able to feel a deep connection with my clients, and ‘feel’ the therapeutic shifts happening in real time, just the same as when they are in the room with me!

Question 13

How do I know which service is right for me?

Accepted Answer

That depends on your goals, current capacity, and the type of support you’re seeking.

Regular Therapy may suit you if you’d like ongoing support, regular check-ins, or a gentler pace. I am not currently offering traditional format therapy to new clients, however I can certainly point you in the right direction to therapists with a similar style and flair to me, if you like!

EMDR Intensives may suit you if you’re ready for focused work and want to keep up the momentum. They are an upfront investment both financially and of your time, but if that is accessible for you, you will be diving straight into your therapeutic work and goals with me. This can feel really empowering for my clients.

Question 14

What is the difference between a one week (3 Day) and two week (6 day) program

Accepted Answer

Both programs start with an online, single-length assessment and preparation session, followed by a series of double sessions:

The one week Immersion is a 3 Day Intensive and ideal for a focused piece of work, a specific issue, or an introduction to intensive therapy. You can dip your toes in, and see a surprising amount of changes take place (or new skills developed).

The two week Immersions is a  6 Day Program that allows for deeper work across multiple layers, more processing time, and stronger integration between sessions. It can be especially helpful for more complex trauma, longstanding patterns, or when there are several goals to address. My clients report significant transformation from this experience.

The right option depends on your history, goals, budget, and capacity. Both are ‘worth it’. We can discuss this together to see what feels right for you.

Question 15

What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

Please see our Immersion program fees here, depending which program you select.
Flexible payment plans are available, with a 30% deposit.

Question 16

Do you have a waiting list?

Accepted Answer

Availability for Immersions can vary throughout the year. I do not utilise a waiting list, and it is best to book ahead.

The process for booking the Immersion is to choose your dates, and secure them with your 30% deposit. My program generally books out about 3 months in advance, but sometimes I add extra dates throughout the year.

Trauma can leave us with a sense of urgency and hypervigilance (as well as other challenging impacts), so it is understandable to want relief from your symptoms as soon as possible!

I will send you some resources to help you prepare for your Immersion ahead of time, to get the most out of it and feel like you are already working toward something. I find most people like to utilise the payment plan facility, and organise their leave from work or parenting commitments, so the preparation and wait time is helpful in that regard.

You can check here for scheduled dates, but please reach out if you have other dates in mind (some people like to schedule their Immersion to coincide with when they are already on leave, or planning travel to Victoria for example)

Question 17

How do I book an Intensive/Immersion?

Accepted Answer

Fill out enquiry form here for questions, or;

If you’re pretty keen, you can Book a free, 15 minute Discovery call to talk to me directly about your compatibility with the program

After your Discovery call, the next step is to choose your Immersion dates, and secure them with your 30% deposit. The balance is due 4 weeks before the date of your first session.

Question 18

Can I see you for therapy after my Immersion?

Accepted Answer

I am not currently taking new clients for ongoing therapy. Most clients find they do not need regular therapy after completing an intensive block, or they return to their existing therapist.
 I also have clients return on a six or 12 monthly basis to complete another Immersion with a new goal.

EMDR INTENSIVE PROGRAM

EMDR IMMERSIONS

3 DAY

EMDR IMMERSION BENEFITS

CREATES FOCUSSED SPACE

PROFOUND CHANGE

BUILDS RESILIENCE

GENTLE & EFFECTIVE

GROW & TRANSFORM

HOW IT WORKS

3 DAY PROGRAM

6 DAY PROGRAM

RETREAT-INSPIRED

WHO IS THIS FOR?

YOU'RE SHORT ON TIME

YOU CAN SELF-REGULATE

YOU HAVE CLEAR GOALS

YOU 'FEEL' STRONGLY

PROGRAM INVESTMENT

AVAILABLE DATES

(Dates may be flexible)

CONTACT ME OR JOIN THE WAITLIST

OR READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

WHAT IS EMDR THERAPY?

A HOLISTIC APPROACH

ABOUT CLAUDIA

Frequently Asked Questions