Of A Successful EMDR Intensive Practice

EMDR intensives are gaining traction for good reason—they offer deeper client transformation, more flexibility for therapists, and a premium service model that supports both healing and sustainability. But what does it actually look like to run a thriving EMDR intensive practice?

I’m Hannah Ciampini, LCSW, EMDR therapist and business coach based in Pensacola, Florida. I help therapists in Florida, Alabama, and across the U.S. build practices that work for their lives, not against them. In this post, In this post, we’re going to take a peek behind the scenes of my EMDR intensive practice—how it’s structured, what systems support it, and what makes it both sustainable and successful (even in a smaller area!)

The Structure of My EMDR Intensive Practice

I offer a blend of half-day, full-day, and multi-day EMDR intensive options. Here’s how I keep things streamlined:

Initial Consultation: Clients schedule a free consult to discuss goals and determine if an intensive is the right fit. My consultation is 15 minutes long but this is just a personal preference, feel free to do longer if you feel that you need it!
Pre-Intensive Prep: Each client receives a prep packet, intake paperwork, and a custom plan based on their needs. (Need help with building your paperwork/prep packet? Let’s talk about how I can help!)
Intensive Day(s): Sessions are designed for deep trauma reprocessing with built-in breaks, grounding work, and post-processing support.
Follow-Up: Clients have access to optional post-intensive support or referrals if ongoing care is needed. This is very collaborative with the client.

This model allows me to serve fewer clients with deeper, more focused work—and still meet my income goals without burnout.

Tools and Systems That Keep It Running

Running a smooth EMDR intensive practice requires intentional back-end support. Here are a few of my go-to tools:

Intake Q: For scheduling, charting, and secure communication. I love that Intake Q has so many forms, questionnaires and processes already built in for you. It’s been my favorite EHR system by far. click here to get it
Acuity or Calendly: To make discovery calls easy and automated
Google Drive: To organize client prep materials and worksheets
Email Templates + Automations: So every client gets the same high-touch, organized onboarding experience
A Dedicated Intensive Page on My Website: To clearly explain what I offer and help clients self-select

Pricing and Profitability

One of the most empowering shifts for me was moving from hourly sessions to premium intensive pricing. Each intensive is priced based on time, prep, post-support, and the transformation offered—not just “hours worked.”

This pricing model has:

Increased my income
Allowed me to work fewer clinical hours and feel way less burnt out.
Attracted highly motivated, ready-for-change clients
Niche down and work with a population that I specialize in and really feel like the expert in. (Goodbye imposter syndrome).

Boundaries That Make It Sustainable

Running a successful EMDR intensive practice doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. It means:

Limiting the number of intensives per month
Building in recovery days
Sticking to clear communication and cancellation policies
Being selective about who I work with

Boundaries are what keep this work effective, ethical, and energizing—for me and my clients.

What Success Looks Like

A successful EMDR intensive practice doesn’t just mean full bookings or high revenue. It means:

Clients leave feeling empowered and transformed
I have time for my family, creativity, and rest
My schedule supports my energy
My business aligns with my values
I have more time to expand my knowledge by attending trainings and not having to cancel a ton of clients in the process.

Want This for Yourself?

If you're a therapist and you want a business model that allows for deep client work without burnout—I’d love to support you.

Through business coaching, I help therapists across the U.S. design and launch EMDR intensive practices that are profitable, sustainable, and aligned.