PTSD & Trauma Healing Through EMDR Intensives in Santa Monica
For high-achieving adults who are tired of living in survival mode
Trauma isn’t just what happened to you, it’s how your body learned to protect you. EMDR Intensives help your nervous system finally stand down, so you’re not constantly bracing, overthinking, or reacting anymore.
You May Recognize Yourself Here
You may look “fine” on the outside. Capable, responsible and put together.
But inside, your body feels on edge like it’s always waiting for something to go wrong.
You might notice:
Strong emotional reactions that don’t match the moment
Feeling easily triggered, overwhelmed, or shut down
Trouble resting, trusting, or letting your guard down
A constant sense of needing to stay in control
This isn’t a character flaw. It’s a nervous system that learned survival early — and never got the chance to reset.
What Healing Can Look Like Instead
Instead of constantly reacting to other people’s moods, words, or behavior, you begin to feel steadier inside. Someone can be short, distant, or disappointing and it doesn’t hijack your entire day.
You don’t spiral, overanalyze or turn it inward and assume you did something wrong. You feel more grounded in yourself and clearer about what’s yours to carry and what isn’t. Your reactions soften and you trust yourself to respond, not react.
Traditional weekly therapy can help you understand trauma,
but EMDR intensives help your body release it.
With extended, focused time, we’re able to:
Access traumatic memories safely and intentionally
Reprocess them without starting and stopping each week
Help your nervous system experience completion, not just insight
This is especially helpful if your trauma feels layered, longstanding, or tied to early attachment wounds.
Why EMDR Intensives for PTSD & Trauma
EMDR helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer feel current or threatening. The intensive format supports this by giving your nervous system the consistency and containment it needs to fully engage.
This is particularly effective if you:
Are tired of “talking about it” without feeling change
Want focused, results-oriented trauma work
Prefer fewer, deeper sessions rather than long-term weekly therapy
Are ready to invest in meaningful healing—not just coping
Why EMDR Intensives Work Especially Well for Trauma
Hi, I’m Olivia
I’m Olivia Lavelle, LCSW — a trauma therapist specializing in EMDR intensives for high-achieving adults who are ready for real change across California.
My work is grounded, relational, and structured. Clients often tell me they feel deeply understood here… without feeling overexposed, rushed, or pushed past their limits.
I don’t believe healing has to take years, but I do believe it needs the right conditions.
What to Expect in an EMDR Intensive
Preparation Session
We begin with a dedicated preparation session to assess your history, clarify goals, map targets, and build nervous-system supports.
Intensive EMDR Session
We begin with a dedicated preparation session to assess your history, clarify goals, map targets, and build nervous-system supports.
Integration & Closure
You’ll engage in focused EMDR reprocessing over one or multiple days, with pacing tailored to your capacity and not pushed, rushed, or overwhelming.
EMDR Intensives Support Trauma Recovery
EMDR therapy intensives may help with:
PTSD and complex trauma
Childhood emotional neglect or abandonment
Chronic anxiety and hypervigilance
Emotional reactivity or shutdown
Feeling stuck despite years of therapy
Trauma that feels “stored” in the body
EMDR Therapy Intensives are offered in 3-hour, 6-hour, 15-hour, and 30-hour formats, depending on your needs and goals.
If you’re considering this work, the first step is a 15-minute free consultation to determine whether an intensive is the right fit.
Investment & Next Steps
Ready to take the next steps?
Reach out today to schedule your free consultation
I look forward to connecting!
FAQs about PTSD & Trauma Therapy Intensives
If you’re considering trauma therapy in California, you may have questions. Here are some of the most common questions I hear. Take a look at my FAQ page or reach out.
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A trauma-informed approach means we move at your pace. I never push or force you to relive painful memories. It’s about creating safety first, understanding how your nervous system responds to stress, and gently building your capacity to feel calm and connected again.
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If you find yourself constantly on edge, overthinking, people-pleasing, or feeling “off” even when life looks fine, trauma therapy may help. Trauma doesn’t just come from one big event: it often stems from long periods of emotional neglect, criticism, or having to perform to feel loved.
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Yes. EMDR and trauma therapy work beautifully online when guided by a trained trauma-informed therapist. You’ll receive the same level of connection and support from the comfort of your home, using structured protocols that help your body release what it’s been holding.
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I’m an out-of-network provider and my fee’s for weekly trauma therapy is $250 per session. Many clients use their insurance’s out-of-network benefits to get reimbursed for a portion of sessions typically 50–80%. You’ll receive a monthly superbill (a detailed receipt) that you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
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Everyone’s healing process is different. Some clients begin to notice subtle shifts, like calmer mornings, fewer spirals, or better sleep within the first few weeks. For others, deeper work takes time. What matters most is that we move in a way that feels safe and sustainable for you.
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Not at all. Trauma is anything that overwhelms your ability to cope and leaves your body stuck in survival mode. It might be a breakup that reopened old wounds, a childhood of emotional distance, or years of being “the strong one.” If it still impacts how you feel, connect, or rest, it’s valid.
