Is an Intensive right for me?
A Reflective Quiz to Help You Decide
Healing is a lot like tending a garden. The soil needs to be prepared, roots need to take hold, and sometimes the right season has to arrive before a plant can truly flourish. EMDR intensives are like a greenhouse—offering focused time and the right conditions to accelerate growth. But just like plants, people need a strong foundation first.
This quiz is here to help you reflect: are you ready for that deeper, accelerated healing space, or would it serve you better to keep nurturing your roots with weekly therapy for now?
Quiz: Is an EMDR Intensive Right for You?
1. Have you planted some roots in therapy already?
A. Yes—I’ve built coping tools and self-awareness.
B. A little—I’ve started but haven’t gone very deep yet.
C. Not yet—I’m brand new to therapy.
2. How steady does your “day-to-day soil” feel?
A. Stable—I can handle the natural ups and downs of life.
B. Shaky—sometimes manageable, sometimes overwhelming.
C. Unstable—it feels hard to get through most days.
3. Are you currently weathering a storm (big crisis, loss, or upheaval)?
A. No, things feel steady enough right now.
B. Somewhat—stressful, but I can still function.
C. Yes, I’m in the middle of a major challenge.
4. Do you know what “weeds” or patterns/memories you’d like to address during an intensive?
A. Yes, I’m clear on what I want to address.
B. I have some ideas, but they’re a little fuzzy.
C. No, I’m not sure yet.
5. How ready are you to let go of old burdens and grow into something new?
A. Very ready—I’ve been waiting for this.
B. Somewhat—I want to, but I feel hesitant.
C. Not ready yet.
6. Do you have the resources (time, energy, finances) to invest in this level of care?
A. Yes, I can make this commitment to myself.
B. Maybe—I’d need to make some adjustments.
C. No, not right now.
7. Can you protect time to rest and integrate after the intensive—like giving the soil a chance to settle after planting?
A. Yes, I can create that space.
B. Maybe—I’ll try, but it might be tricky.
C. No, my schedule is too full.
8. How comfortable are you with sitting in uncomfortable feelings as they arise?
A. Fairly comfortable—I can ride the waves.
B. Somewhat—I tend to avoid it when I can.
C. Not comfortable—it feels unbearable.
Scoring & Reflection
Mostly A’s: 🌿 You’re rooted and ready. You have the stability and clarity to benefit from the focused environment of an EMDR intensive. This may be your season for accelerated growth.
Mostly B’s: 🌱 You’re in the process of cultivating. You may benefit from weekly therapy to strengthen your roots before stepping into an intensive. With some more stability and clarity, you’ll be ready to bloom there.
Mostly C’s: 🌾 Right now, traditional therapy may be the best soil for your growth. With time and nurturing, you’ll build the foundation needed for the deeper dive of an intensive.
Final Thoughts
There’s no wrong stage to be in—just like in nature, growth happens in cycles and timing matters. Whether you’re ready to step into the greenhouse of an EMDR intensive, or you need to nurture your roots a little longer in traditional therapy, both paths are steps toward healing.
If you’d like help deciding together, I invite you to schedule a consultation. We’ll talk through your needs and explore whether an intensive or ongoing therapy is the best fit for you right now.
