ONLINE AND IN PERSON
Intensive EMDR Therapy in the South Bay
Intensive EMDR Therapy with Catherine Alvarado, LMFT & Associates in the South Bay offers extended 2-hour sessions, creating more time for deeper reprocessing and focused healing.
BASED IN REDONDO BEACH, CA
Intensive EMDR Therapy
Our Redondo Beach Therapists offer Intensive EMDR Therapy in extended 2-hour sessions, providing more space for deeper reprocessing and focused healing. This option is available both for ongoing clients within our practice and for adjunct clients who want to add EMDR alongside their work with another therapist. Sessions are offered online and in person.
Intensive EMDR can be a helpful choice for:
Having more time in a single session to focus on what feels most important
Exploring EMDR as a new therapeutic approach
Creating flexibility to design a schedule that supports your healing
Deeper Healing in Extended Sessions
Without the rush of the traditional therapy hour, clients can settle in, move through reprocessing at a steady pace, and stay with what comes up more fully. The extra time allows space for grounding at the start, deeper reprocessing in the middle, and gentle closure at the end—so sessions feel contained and supportive from start to finish.
Each intensive is tailored to the individual, with close attention to readiness, goals, and pacing. Some schedule intensives to deepen ongoing therapy, while others use them to jump-start the healing process between standard sessions. Whether the focus is trauma, anxiety, phobias, or lingering negative beliefs, Intensive EMDR Therapy offers room for deeper work in each session and is available in person in Redondo Beach or online throughout California.
INTENSIVE EMDR THERAPY
These extended sessions offer the space to go deeper, helping you move through what feels heavy without the rush of the traditional therapy hour.
common concerns
Areas We Can Help With
Disturbing images or memories
Distressing sensations or emotions
Specific situations that feel triggering
Lingering negative beliefs about yourself or the world
Anxiety and fear tied to past, present, or anticipated future experiences
Flashbacks or intrusive thoughts
Nightmares or sleep disturbances
Shame, guilt, or self-blame connected to past events
Avoidance of places, people, or activities
Loss, grief, or unresolved sadness
Performance anxiety or fear of failure
Phobias and specific fears
Feeling “stuck” in old patterns or cycles
Emotional numbness or disconnection
Panic attacks or sudden waves of fear
-
8 Phases
EMDR therapy follows eight structured phases that provide a clear roadmap for healing. At the same time, the process isn’t always linear—you may move back and forth between phases depending on your readiness and what comes up in session.
-
BLS Options
EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation (BLS) to help the brain process experiences more effectively. BLS can be done in different ways—such as eye movements, tapping, or sound—and your therapist will work with you to find the option that feels most comfortable and supportive.
-
Schedule As Needed
Intensive EMDR sessions can be integrated into ongoing therapy or added as adjunct work. They can be scheduled weekly, biweekly, or as often as feels right, giving you the flexibility to move at your own pace. The exact number of EMDR sessions needed for complete relief varies.
Catherine alvarado, lmft & associates
Find an Experienced Intensive EMDR Therapist
At Catherine Alvarado, LMFT & Associates, our therapists offer Intensive EMDR Therapy to help clients work through anxiety, trauma, and long-standing patterns with greater focus and depth. These extended sessions (2 hours) create more space for reprocessing distressing memories, overwhelming emotions, and negative beliefs in a safe, structured way.
Intensives can be a powerful option for teens, young adults, and adults who want to make meaningful progress in a shorter period of time, or for those who feel limited by the pace of the standard therapy hour. Whether addressing disturbing images, difficult sensations, or fears tied to past and future experiences, Intensive EMDR allows for deeper processing without feeling rushed.
Sessions are available in person at our Redondo Beach office and online across California, making Intensive EMDR Therapy accessible to clients throughout the South Bay, including Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, Palos Verdes, and El Segundo. If you’re looking for Intensive EMDR Therapy in Redondo Beach or searching for a trusted South Bay EMDR therapist, our team is here to provide compassionate care and support for lasting change.
-
Catherine Alvarado, LMFT 134744
OWNER & CLINICAL SUPERVISOR
Catherine Alvarado, LMFT, is a licensed Redondo Beach therapist, EMDR Certified Therapist & Consultant in Training specializing in anxiety, trauma, and EMDR therapy for adults, teens, and children. Learn More
-
Monika Arana, AMFT 140548
SUPERVISED BY CATHERINE ALVARADO, LMFT 134744
Monika is a registered associate therapist in Redondo Beach, specializing in individual, couples, and family therapy for trauma, inner child work, and nervous system regulation. Learn More
Resources to improve your mental health, increase your self-awareness, and invite growth.