I barely got started with EMDR before things got put on hold - therapist decided I had other things going on too, and those needed to take priority. However, I can say the sessions leading up to the actual EMDR "stuff" were VERY intense. For the first few sessions, I needed quiet, alone time, immediately after my sessions, to pull myself together. It got easier, as we progressed. As halliebeeth87 stated, my therapist made sure I had a safe place to retreat to, mentally, before we touched on much of anything. She also made sure, before I left, that I was ok. For me, it was very much a process that was driven by me. My therapist was very good in making sure I didn't get overwhelmed. She'd break off whenever I needed to. It was unlike any type of therapy I had ever had before - so I would suggest, try not to over-think it. Just keep reminding yourself you will proceed at your own pace, and you can shut down each session as you need to, when you need to. It's a very strong patient-driven type of therapy. Good luck with it!