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EMDR Therapy & EMDR Intensives in California

Therapy doesn’t have to take forever.

EMDR therapy is a short-term treatment that helps eliminates feelings of distress (desensitization) and cultivates positive self-beliefs (reprocessing) instead.

EMDR therapy intensives are longer, more frequent EMDR sessions that help you address trauma, phobias, and fears in a shorter time than regular EMDR therapy.

EMDR intensives are ideal for individuals seeking faster results, a clear path forward, and efficiency.

A therapy that works faster than traditional talk therapy

You’re having heightened stress, flashbacks, nightmares, unexplained body pains, anxiety, and irrational fears.

Your problems have gotten much worse recently, and it’s become increasingly unmanageable.

You don’t have time to sit in therapy for months or years.

You’ve tried talk therapy, CBT, or other traditional treatments.

Medication may have helped, but you’re still struggling with symptoms.

You may be on a leave of absence for medical or disability-related reasons.

You just want to get over your trauma, fear, or phobia as soon as you can.

If you’re at a point where your past memories, trauma, anxieties, fears, or phobias are dramatically impacting your life – and you need relief rapidly…

I can help you with EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing), a short-term trauma-focused therapy that works faster than traditional therapies like talk therapy or CBT.

If you want a faster option, I also offer EMDR Intensives, which consist of longer and more frequent sessions of EMDR therapy.

What is EMDR and how is it different from traditional therapies?

EMDR is designed to help your brain reprocess the past so it stops running your present day life.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) is a short-term trauma therapy (it can be effective within a few sessions) that differs from typical treatments because it is not talk-based. Extensively talking about trauma can be re-traumatizing. So, a different method like EMDR can be better at treating trauma and PTSD.

Talk therapy can also be limited in its effectiveness because trauma is hardly a clear idea in our minds. It is a collection of loosely associated memories, images, and sensations – not a clear story we can narrate, or even make sense of consciously. This is why trying to talk through or rationalize memories can be ineffective or even re-traumatizing.

Instead of retelling the trauma narrative, in EMDR, the client focuses on one traumatic memory at a time while engaging in a rhythmic activity, like moving your eyes back and forth (known as bilateral stimulation). This helps eliminate the feelings of distress and cultivates positive beliefs. The client is in control of how much they share. Doing this enough times can lead to the ultimate goal: Rather than re-experiencing the distress we feel when we are reminded of our trauma, we think of the trauma as a coherent and finished event in the past.

Why would someone need EMDR?

Whether we are aware of it or not, we can have distressing memories that have planted negative self-beliefs into our minds.

There is a model known as Adaptive Information Processing (AIP Model). EMDR International Association explains it wonderfully, and here is a snippet from their full explanation of the AIP model:

It recognizes that both positive and negative experiences influence a person’s current perceptions, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors: “The past is present.” Experiences from the past become the “glasses” that we wear when we see the present. Disturbing experiences appeared “stuck” and linked to other disturbing ones. EMDR therapy helps us to get unstuck so those old feelings, thoughts, and body sensations do not keep affecting our lives today.

A fundamental part of this theory is that the brain will heal itself, much like how a finger heals itself when cut – but it won’t be able to heal itself if there’s a splinter. That’s why EMDR is not talk therapy – the brain will take care of the processing. (I know that sounds weird, so check out my in-depth article explaining EMDR therapy explaning this further.)

Overall, EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) is a short-term treatment that eliminates those feelings of distress (desensitization) and cultivates positive self-beliefs (reprocessing) instead.

Read my in-depth article explaining EMDR therapy here.

Research & outcomes from EMDR therapy

If you’ve been in therapy for years and still feel stuck, or you need faster results, EMDR might help you move forward faster.

Key research studies on EMDR therapy

For further research on EMDR therapy, click here.

Lower Dropout Rates

EMDR tends to have higher completion rates than other trauma therapies. That may be because:

You don’t have to talk in detail about what happened
The structure of EMDR creates safety and containment
Many clients begin noticing progress early in treatment

This makes it a strong option for people who have tried other therapies, and still need help.

Real-Life Improvements

After EMDR, clients often report improvements in:

Sleep
Stress levels
Managing emotions
Energy and motivation
Boundaries and assertiveness
Relationships
Confidence
Resilience, or ability to “bounce back”

This work doesn’t just reduce symptoms — it improves how you live, connect, and function.

Long-Lasting Change

The benefits of EMDR are often long-term. Multiple studies have found that symptom improvements are maintained six to twelve months after therapy ends.

That’s because EMDR helps your brain resolve trauma — not just manage it.

What are EMDR intensives?

Instead of weekly, 50-minute sessions that can get interrupted by life, work, or symptoms flaring up between appointments, EMDR intensives are a focused alternative. An EMDR intensive is a concentrated block of therapy—several hours a day over one to a few days.

This immersive format allows us to bypass the typical stop-and-start rhythm of weekly therapy. We don’t have to stop in the middle of processing, and have to start from the beginning at the next session (which can delay the process).

We can dive deeper, move faster, and remain focused to get the work done.

Benefits of EMDR Intensives

As a fellow professional who values data and evidence, I can tell you: the research on EMDR intensives is not just promising — it’s impressive.

High Success Rates: EMDR intensives often show lower dropout rates and comparable or even superior outcomes to standard weekly therapy, especially for trauma and PTSD.
Faster Results: A single traumatic memory can often be fully processed in just three 90-minute sessions.
Structured and Efficient: Intensives follow the same eight-phase EMDR model. But unlike a 50-minute session — where we may have to stop just as we reach something important — we’re able to move through the work without forced interruptions.
Targeted: This format is especially helpful if you have a clear issue you want to resolve. You’ll be able to process distressing memories and build new beliefs without losing time between sessions.

The format may be different, but the therapy is still EMDR — just delivered in a way that respects your time and prioritizes progress.

Education & Qualifications

Master’s of Social Work (2020) | CSU Long Beach
B.S. Chemistry (2011) | Harvey Mudd College
- Chemical Engineering focus
- Comparative Religions concentration

Professional Affiliations

Trainings & Specialties:

12+ years practicing as a mental health and substance use disorder specialist
EMDR (certification in progress), additional focuses in:
- Internal Family Systems
- EMDR with Neurodivergent Populations
- EMDR and Addiction
  Consultants:
- Dr. Deborah Silveria, PhD
- Gemma Rivera, LMFT, LCPC, LCADC
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (with certification) (including for psychosis)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (including for psychosis)
Motivational Interviewing
Mindfulness-based Interventions

Why work with me

I get it — because I’ve lived it.

I was valedictorian. I went to Harvey Mudd College, the #1 engineering college without a doctoral program in the U.S. I even served as student body president while I struggled inside and out.

I worked in high-pressure environments where I constantly felt behind. Despite the evidence, I was hard on myself, and plagued by the negative core belief: “I’m not good enough.”

But there’s hope. As a neurodivergent, high-achieving therapist, I bring both lived experience and clinical expertise to the table.

After a decade in therapy, and finding more relief in 3 sessions from EMDR, I specialize in providing therapies that are clinically proven to work faster than traditional talk therapy.

Together, we’ll cut through the shame and build something real — confidence you can actually internalize and believe.

FAQs

Do you offer a complimentary consultation?

Yes! You’ve likely read my website and are interested in services — but you’d like some questions answered before committing. No worries!

I offer a complimentary consultation so I can answer your questions and gather information to ensure we are a great fit.

Can I meet with you in-person?

Right now, I only accept clients virtually.

In addition to being more convenient, research demonstrates that virtual therapy is just as effective as in-person.

Virtual EMDR therapy can even help someone in their car or sitting on the ground in a shelter.

Do you accept my insurance?

No, I don’t accept any insurance. This allows me to maintain a small caseload, providing higher-quality care and a more personalized experience for you.

As a specialist with a small caseload, paying privately means:

My clients often get better results faster and need fewer sessions overall. Your time is also very valuable, and this investment can lead to greater happiness, productivity, and new opportunities, including for work and relationships.
We collaboratively decide what’s best for your therapy — not your insurance.
Your privacy is protected. I don’t share your private information with insurance companies.
I have time to work on your case outside of sessions.
I also invest in advanced training and certifications to meet your specific needs.

I also provide services including speaking, writing, advocacy, consulting, and content:

Mental health articles from a unique perspective of science, clinical, and lived experience.
Mental health & wellness keynotes and workshops all over the country, including 2 TEDx talks with a quarter of a million views.
Collaborating with non-profits
Hosting groups and classes with free and discounted slots
Producing content

You can subscribe to my mailing list to get weekly wellness tips & updates on my groups, classes, and workshops:

Can I use my out-of-network benefits? Do you provide superbills for insurance?

You may still be able to get reimbursed for our sessions. This is called using your “out-of-network” (OON) benefits if you have a diagnosed mental health or substance use condition.

It’s simpler than it sounds. Here’s how it typically works:

You pay me for your session at the time of our appointment.
I provide you with a “superbill.” This is a receipt of services with the information your insurance company needs.
You send that superbill to your insurance company.
Your insurance will reimburse you for a portion of the cost.

Many plans will reimburse 50-80% of the session fee after you’ve met your deductible. To find out what your specific plan covers, I encourage you to call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask these questions:

“Do I have out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health?”
“What is my out-of-network deductible, and how much of it have I met?”
“What percentage of the fee for CPT code 90837 do you cover?”
“How do I submit my superbills for reimbursement?”

This approach gives you the freedom to choose the best therapist for your specific needs while still using the benefits you pay for.

What are your fees?

Before therapy begins, I will provide you with a Good Faith Estimate so you can anticipate your costs.

Individual Therapy:

Intake session: $350
Ongoing sessions: $250 per session

Intensive EMDR Therapy:

EMDR intensives longer and more frequent sessions of EMDR to achieve your goals more rapidly. For more information, click here.

They are purchased as a package depending on your individual needs. They are billed at $350 per 60-minutes. Payment plans are available.

Group Therapy:

$800 for 8 weeks ($100/group session). Payments of $100 are made weekly for 8 weeks.

Masterclasses, Workshops, & Networking Events:

Please follow my Eventbrite page for ongoing events that I host. Some events are free, while others require payment to attend.

How does payment work?

In your intake forms, there is a credit card form that will be charged within 48 hours of every appointment.

Intensives require a 50% deposit to reserve the dates. Payment plans are available.

Do you have availability? What is your schedule?

My therapy is efficient, so I regularly graduate clients from therapy. I am generally available within 1-2 weeks. For EMDR intensives, which are longer sessions, we will arrange a specific schedule that works well for you.

How long does therapy usually take?

There is extensive research demonstrating that the therapies I provide can be more rapid and effective than traditional talk therapies and common treatments.

For example, research shows that even three 90-minute EMDR sessions can resolve a single trauma.

In my clinical practice, I’ve helped many people who have been in therapy long term achieve their goals in a few months to a year. EMDR intensives are well-known for addressing problems efficiently.

Everyone is different, and may have different treatment outcomes. Research shows that your fit with your therapist (the therapeutic alliance) is more important than anything else.

For clients who are not using insurance, healthcare providers are required by law to give you an estimate of anticipated costs. I will offer you a Good Faith Estimate of how long you will need to be in treatment. For more information about your rights and how to challenge a bill, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/NOSURPRISES

Is therapy confidential?

Yes, everything shared in therapy is confidential with a few legal exceptions (for example, danger to self or others). These are called limits of confidentiality. This will be written on your intake paperwork, and we will discuss this very clearly in our first session.

Do you have lived experience (personal experience) with these conditions?

I have personal experience with many of the conditions I treat, which motivated me to become a therapist. I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find effective treatment. As an award-winning advocate, I have strongly opposed the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction, and I am encouraged by the progress we’ve made as a society — though there is still work to be done!

I am a scientist and former tech professional. I was a high school valedictorian and graduated from one of the country’s top engineering programs — which led to very severe issues with Imposter Syndrome, anxiety, and depression. I have also overcome challenges related to burnout, workplace trauma, and late-diagnosed ADHD/neurodivergence.

My lived experience, combined with clinical expertise and a solid understanding of the science behind treatment, creates a powerful approach that distinguishes me in my field.

What is your background?

I am female, Pakistani-American, 2nd generation, queer-affirming, culturally humble, late-diagnosed neurodivergent (ADHD).

I’m a former tech professional and award-winning mental health advocate who has overcome many of the issues that I treat.

My lived experience, combined with my science and engineering background and clinical expertise, allow me to help people using efficient therapies that are much faster than traditional talk therapy.

If I have any other questions, how can I ask you?

You can schedule a complimentary consultation call here. Or, you may reach out to me via text/call 951-523-0564, hufsa@hufsaahmad.com, or this contact form:

Interested in rapid growth?

Click or call to connect with me to schedule an appointment.