EMDR intensives in the Columbia Valley
For some people, weekly therapy works well. For others, progress feels slow, or life makes regular sessions hard. An EMDR intensive gives you focused time to work through a specific memory or theme, with longer sessions over one to three days. Offered by Alana Cotterall, Registered Psychologist, and Bridget McDermott, RCC.
Is an intensive a good fit?
An intensive may help if any of these sound familiar.
An intensive may not be the right fit yet if you’re in crisis right now, you still need time to feel steady first, or you don’t have ongoing support from a therapist.
What an intensive looks like
An intensive is a much longer EMDR session, usually over one to three days in a row. A day might include two longer blocks of EMDR with regular breaks, and time outdoors in between to rest and let things settle. The pace follows your nervous system, so the schedule can shift on the day. EMDR is combined with parts-informed and nervous system work, and you’ll leave with an aftercare plan.

How it works
Preparation:
A few regular sessions first, to get to know you, build resources and plan the intensive.
The intensive:
One to three days of focused EMDR, with breaks and time outdoors.
Afterwards:
You continue with your own therapist, whether that’s the person who did your intensive or someone else, with an aftercare plan to support you.
Already seeing a therapist? You can do an intensive here and go back to them afterwards.
Practitioners who offer EMDR intensives
Whenever you’re ready
Take the first small step
Have a look through the counsellors at Hearthstone, or book a free 20-minute consult with someone who stands out.


