EMDR Intensives
Sometimes more time creates more room for the work.
Traditional therapy sessions can be a good fit for many people. But sometimes, a 50-minute appointment can feel too short, particularly when there is meaningful therapeutic work to explore, time is needed to settle into processing, or you would prefer to work in a more concentrated way.
EMDR Intensives provide an extended period of dedicated therapeutic time, allowing us to work with greater continuity while still moving at a pace that feels manageable for you.
The goal is not to rush the work. It’s to give the work more room.
What is an EMDR Intensive?
An EMDR Intensive is an extended therapy session that provides more uninterrupted time than a traditional psychotherapy appointment.
Depending on your needs and treatment plan, this time may include preparation and resourcing, identifying and exploring treatment targets, EMDR processing, breaks, reflection, and time to settle and integrate before the session ends.
An Intensive is not simply several regular therapy sessions placed back-to-back. The extended format allows the session to be planned differently, with time intentionally built around your therapeutic needs.
Why might someone choose an Intensive?
You might consider an EMDR Intensive if:
there is a particular experience, issue, or treatment goal you would like dedicated time to work on;
you find that traditional sessions sometimes end just as you are beginning to engage more deeply with the work;
your schedule makes frequent appointments difficult;
you prefer a more concentrated approach to therapy; or
you are already engaged in therapy and would benefit from additional focused time for a particular piece of work.
An Intensive isn't necessarily the right choice for everyone. Together, we'll consider your goals, current circumstances, readiness, and therapeutic needs before deciding whether this format makes sense for you.
Does “Intensive” mean intense?
Despite the name, an EMDR Intensive isn't about pushing you harder or asking you to tolerate more distress.
Extended sessions can actually create more flexibility. There is more time for preparation, breaks, grounding, processing, and settling before you leave.
You remain in control throughout the process.
We can slow down, pause, change direction, or stop whenever needed. There is no prize for processing the most material or reaching a particular destination by the end of the day.
What happens during an EMDR Intensive?
An EMDR Intensive offers a structured, yet flexible day, tailored to your needs and readiness for processing. An Intensive session may involve spending time on:
checking in on how you’re feeling that day
identifying the focus of the work
collaboratively developing strategies to help you feel safe during processing
EMDR processing
planned and as-needed breaks
grounding and integration
aftercare planning and closing.
The exact structure will vary because good therapy isn't about fitting you into a predetermined schedule. We'll plan the Intensive around you, while leaving enough flexibility to respond to what you need as the work unfolds.
Planning your Intensive
An EMDR Intensive is designed to provide more time for therapeutic work, but not to create pressure to accomplish a particular amount within that time. Thoughtful planning helps us use the time in a way that feels purposeful, flexible, and manageable.
Before your Intensive
Before an Intensive is scheduled, we'll talk about what you're hoping to work on and consider whether an Intensive is a good fit for your needs.
If you're new to the Canadian Centre for Hope and Healing, you'll be asked to complete assessment forms to help us understand your history, current concerns, and treatment goals. Depending on your individual needs, we may also meet for an assessment or preparation session before your Intensive.
We'll also talk about what may help you feel prepared for the day, including any resources or strategies you may want available during and after the session.
More time allows us to work differently. It never means skipping the steps that help make the work safe and manageable.
Reserving your time
Because EMDR Intensives involve reserving a significant block of dedicated clinical time, a deposit is required when your Intensive is booked. Your deposit is applied toward the total cost of your Intensive.
Information about deposits, rescheduling, and cancellations will be provided before you book, so you'll know exactly what to expect.
On the day of your Intensive
Your Intensive will be structured around your individual treatment plan rather than a predetermined schedule. The time may include preparation and grounding, identifying or reviewing treatment targets, EMDR processing, reflection and integration, and planning for after the session.
Breaks are part of the process. We'll plan time to pause throughout the Intensive, and you can ask for an additional break whenever you need one.
You may want to have water, something to eat, comfortable clothing, and anything else that helps you feel physically comfortable available during the session.
You don’t have to use every minute for processing.
A four- or six-hour Intensive doesn't mean spending four or six hours continuously processing difficult memories.
Preparation, conversation, breaks, grounding, reflection, and integration are all meaningful parts of the therapeutic work. We'll use the time according to what you need rather than trying to fill it with as much processing as possible.
There is no quota for what must be accomplished during an Intensive.
After your Intensive
It's a good idea to leave yourself some space after an Intensive rather than scheduling a packed day immediately afterward.
People can respond differently following EMDR work. You may feel tired, reflective, emotional, relieved, settled, or simply ready to get on with your day. There isn't one “right” way to feel afterward.
Before we finish, we'll take time to close the session, check in about how you're feeling, and discuss anything that may be helpful over the following hours or days.
Half-day and Full-day EMDR Intensives
Half-Day EMDR Intensive
4 hours | $600
Extended therapeutic time for focused EMDR work, including preparation, processing, breaks, and integration.
Full-Day EMDR Intensive
6 hours | $850
A longer format providing additional time for preparation, therapeutic work, scheduled breaks, and integration throughout the day.
A $150 deposit is required to reserve an EMDR Intensive. The deposit is applied toward the total cost of your Intensive.
Do I have to be a current client?
No. EMDR Intensives are open to both new and existing clients.
If you're new to the Canadian Centre for Hope and Healing and are interested specifically in an EMDR Intensive, we'll first make sure we have enough information to understand your history, current needs, treatment goals, and whether an Intensive is an appropriate option for you. This may include completing assessment forms and, when clinically appropriate, meeting for an assessment or preparation session before your Intensive.
An Intensive will only be scheduled when we both feel that the format is an appropriate fit and that there has been adequate preparation for the work.
What happens before my EMDR Intensive?
Every EMDR Intensive begins with careful assessment and preparation. Before scheduling or beginning Intensive work, we'll take time to understand what you're hoping to address, consider whether the Intensive format is appropriate for your needs, and make sure you have adequate preparation and support in place.
More time allows us to work differently. It never means skipping the steps that help make the work safe and manageable.
Wondering whether an EMDR Intensive might be right for you?
You don't need to decide on your own. A complimentary consultation gives us an opportunity to talk about what you're hoping to work on, answer your questions, and consider together whether an EMDR Intensive may be a good fit for your needs.
There is no pressure or obligation to book.