What Is an EMDR Intensive and Is It Right for Me?

Focused EMDR therapy for those who want deeper healing without the wait

Sometimes weekly therapy doesn’t feel like enough especially if you’re navigating a big transition, an acute emotional trigger, or a long-standing pattern that just won’t budge.

An EMDR North Vancouver intensive in person or online is a focused, extended-format therapy session designed to help you get quicker relief. Instead of spacing out progress over several sessions an intensive allows you to dive in over a half-day, full day, or multiple back to back days depending on your needs.

This isn’t a “quick fix.” It’s a thoughtfully paced, trauma-informed process that creates space for real shifts by reducing the interruptions that come with weekly sessions.

Why Choose an Intensive?

EMDR North Vancouver and online intensives are ideal for clients who:

• Feel stuck, even after doing years of personal work

• Have a specific trauma, experience, or belief they want to target

• Need more momentum than traditional sessions provide

• Are in transition (e.g. leaving a role, going through a breakup, facing burnout)

• Can’t commit to weekly therapy due to schedule or distance
  
  

Whether you're coming in with a clear goal or just know you're ready for something to change, EMDR intensives provide the time and structure to actually move through it — not just talk about it.

Are Intensives Too Intense?

It’s a fair question…a full day of therapy sounds like a lot.

But EMDR intensives don’t feel like back-to-back talk therapy. Because we’re working with your brain in a focused, resourced, and non-verbal way, most clients say the time moves quickly.

You’ll have breaks. You’ll be guided. And the day is paced around your system not the clock.

Clients often report feeling lighter as the session unfolds, even if they’re a bit tired afterward (which is completely normal) as you’re processing out years of old memories and beliefs that no longer serve you.

For most people, a full day offers the deepest momentum. But in some cases, we can adapt the schedule to two half-day sessions if needed.

What Does an Intensive Include?

All intensives are customized to your goals, pace, and nervous system.

A typical 1-day EMDR intensive includes:

• 60-minute pre-treatment consult (virtual or in-person)

• A customized intensive session (3–5 hours with breaks as needed)

• A personalized resourcing plan and integration guide

• 1 post-session follow-up for reflection and support

• Access to audio grounding tools or a customized recording (optional)
  

Need something shorter or more extended? Half-day and multi-day formats are also available.

Along with the structure of EMDR, I bring over 20 years of trauma-informed experience blending nervous system regulation, somatic awareness, and attuned, real-time guidance. You’ll be supported all they way.

This isn’t about pushing through. It’s about working with your system, at your pace, in a space designed for real change.

Is an EMDR Intensive Right for You?

If you’re feeling:

• Tired of circling the same issue

• Emotionally overloaded or burned out

• Curious whether a focused approach might work better for your schedule or nervous system

• In a chapter of change and want to meet it with clarity and support

… an intensive might be a good fit.

Please note that EMDR is a powerful and effective therapy, but intensives are not the right fit for every person or situation. While standard EMDR is still an option, If you’re currently in acute crisis, active addiction, or navigating recent complex trauma, we may need to focus on stabilization first or explore whether an intensive is the safest approach for your system right now.

Not sure? That’s okay. I offer free consults to talk through your needs and determine whether an EMDR intensive is the best next step for you.

What is the Cost and Process?

The cost, process and time will depend on your unique needs and situation. Contact me so we can tailor something that is just right for you.

Ready to Learn More?

If you’re craving deep, focused support  and ready to feel different an EMDR intensive might be exactly what you’ve been looking for. Book a free consult and let’s connect.

FAQ

What if I get overwhelmed during the day?

That’s a completely valid concern and one I take seriously. Every intensive is paced around your nervous system. We build in time for grounding, breaks, and resourcing throughout the day. You're never pushed to go faster than your system can handle, and we check in regularly to ensure you feel safe, supported, and in control.

Is this just “doing therapy for longer”?

Not quite. EMDR intensives aren’t just extended talk sessions they’re designed to help you access and reprocess specific patterns in a more focused and immersive way. It’s about doing the work with fewer interruptions, not doing more of the same.

Will I feel wiped out afterward?

You might feel tired and that’s normal. Many people feel lighter, calmer, or even a bit dreamy after processing. We’ll make sure you leave grounded, and you’ll have integration support (like follow-up sessions and resourcing tools) to help you adjust in the days after.

Can I go back to work or parenting afterward?

That depends on your system. Some people feel energized; others need quiet time. If possible, plan a low-demand evening afterward even if that just means stepping out of “fixer mode” for a few hours. I’ll help you prepare in advance so you know what to expect.

How do I know if an intensive is right for me?

If you’ve been circling the same issue in therapy…
If your schedule makes weekly sessions hard to commit to…
If you’re ready for a breakthrough but want to do it safely and efficiently…
… an intensive may be a great fit. Book a free consult and we’ll talk through what’s best for your needs.