WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AN Integrative EMDR & Somatic Trauma Healing Intensive

A Grounded, Structured Process to expect

An Integrative Trauma Intensive is a focused therapeutic experience designed to help you move through unresolved material with steadiness, clarity, and support. While each Intensive is uniquely tailored, the basic structure remains consistent and intentionally paced.

Before you arrive, Cory will already have reviewed your history, goals, and desired outcomes. Your work together begins long before day one.

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Before Your Intensive

1. Required Consultation

All clients complete a 45-minute video consultation with Cory.

During this meeting you will:

  • explore your goals and desired outcomes

  • determine whether an Intensive is appropriate for your needs

  • discuss timing and structure

  • ask questions and clarify expectations

This step ensures that an Intensive is appropriate for your situation, and that you are well-prepared for the work.

2. Pre-Work and Preparation

The next step is completing intake paperwork, further outlining your desires, relevant history, etc., as well as reviewing and signing our onboarding paperwork.

Virtual coaching sessions may be available prior to your retreat. These can be very useful as you prepare for the Intensive, and can allow for deeper and more effective work in-person. If you are interested in virtual coaching, please reach out to Cory to inquire. Virtual coaching is not included in the price of the Intensive.

Daily Structure

The pacing is spacious. You are not expected to “push” or tolerate overwhelm; instead, the work follows your system’s natural rhythm of activation and settling.

Intensives typically include up to six hours of supported work per day, with breaks as needed.

The work may include:

  • Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Somatic Experiencing™

  • Relational Life Therapy

  • Memory Reconsolidation

  • Interpersonal Neurobiology

  • Ego State/Parts Work

  • Experiential processing

  • HeartMath Biofeedback

  • Embodiment practices including yoga and breathwork

  • Vagus Nerve and Autonomic Nervous System Support (Safe & Sound Protocol and Rest & Restore Protocol)

A Sample Day

This is an example only. Actual pacing and times may vary.

9:00am-12pm: First session of the day (with breaks as needed)

12:00pm-1:30pm: Break for lunch

1:30pm-4:30pm: Second session of the day (with breaks as needed)

This rhythm repeats each day, adjusting to your needs, capacity, and the material that arises.

Integration Time

Every intensive includes deliberate pauses for:

  • digestion and reflection

  • nervous system retraining (biofeedback and vagus nerve/ANS support)

  • rest and stillness

  • journaling (optional)

  • time in nature

Clients typically find that insights continue to organize themselves during these breaks in the work, during sleep and in moments of rest.

Where Sessions Take Place

Most sessions are held in the dedicated session room in the cottage. Weather permitting, elements of the work may occur outdoors, either on the porch or at locations around the property. The natural environment often supports regulation, presence, and connection.

After Your Intensive

You are welcome to book an additional day and night at the cottage before traveling home. This can offer some extra space to rest and digest the work you’ve done, as well as prepare your system to transition back into regular life. If you do stay another day, you can also inquire about a 90-minute integration session with Cory to further facilitate your transition.

You may also schedule follow-up virtual coaching sessions for continued support. This is optional and depends on your goals and existing support system.

Integrative trauma healing unlocks an expansive capacity for creative aliveness, inspiration and freedom. For some clients, regular Intensives (bi-anniually, annually or semi-annually) are deeply supportive to continue expanding, refining and deepening post-traumatic growth, resilience, and creativity over time.

Am I a Good Fit for This Process?

Most people can benefit from an Intensive. However, an Intensive is ideal for individuals who:

  • Want to do a lot of work in a relatively short amount of time

  • Recently experienced a traumatic event

  • are experiencing professional, athletic or creative plateaus or blocks

  • feel stuck in patterns that have not shifted through prior therapy and/or coaching

  • Have a specific trauma or issue they want to resolve

  • are navigating a major life transition

  • prefer focused, immersive work over long-term weekly sessions

Check out “Is an Intensive Right For Me?” to explore this in more depth.