Sanctuary Counseling & Wellness
Sanctuary EMDR Intensives
Deep healing. Focused time. A place of true rest.
Request a Free ConsultationSarah personally reviews every inquiry.
About the Process
What Is an EMDR Intensive?
Sometimes healing asks for more than 50 minutes a week.
If you've been carrying something heavy for a long time — trauma, anxiety, grief, a sense of being stuck that you can't quite name — you may have found that traditional weekly therapy moves slowly. Not because something is wrong with you or with the process, but because real healing takes time to build momentum, and just as it does, the session ends.
EMDR intensives offer something different. Instead of brief weekly appointments, you dedicate an extended block of time — a half day, a full day, or two full days — to focused, uninterrupted therapeutic work. You don't stop when things are just beginning to move. You stay with the process long enough for something real to shift.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the most well-researched and effective approaches for trauma and a wide range of other concerns. It works by helping your brain reprocess distressing memories and experiences so they no longer hold the same power over your present life. In an intensive format, that work can go deeper and move further than months of weekly sessions often allow.
The Setting
Why Sanctuary?
There's a reason we named this place Sanctuary.
We believe healing happens best when you feel truly safe — not just logically safe, but genuinely, deeply at rest. Our property just south of Montgomery in Hope Hull was chosen intentionally. When you arrive here, something shifts. The pace slows. The noise of daily life falls away. And the work of healing becomes possible in a way it often isn't in a standard office setting.
EMDR intensives at Sanctuary take place in this environment — with the option of both indoor and outdoor session spaces, built-in breaks to walk the grounds, and the kind of unhurried presence that deep healing deserves.
Candidacy
Is an Intensive Right for You?
An EMDR intensive may be a good fit if you:
- Are carrying trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, or attachment wounds that feel difficult to move through
- Have felt stuck in weekly therapy and are ready for something more immersive
- Have a busy schedule or travel from outside the area and prefer a condensed format
- Are currently working with a therapist who has recommended EMDR intensive work as a complement to your ongoing care
- Are ready and motivated to do deep work in a focused, supported setting
Your Guide
Sarah McCrory
LPC-S · RPT · EMDR Practitioner
I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist, and trained EMDR practitioner with years of experience helping children, adolescents, and adults navigate trauma, anxiety, grief, attachment, and the weight of an inner critic that has spoken too loudly for too long.
EMDR has been one of the most meaningful tools in my clinical work — not because it's a quick fix, but because it works with the brain's own capacity for healing in a way that can create lasting change. In an intensive format, I've seen clients do in a few focused days what might otherwise take much longer to reach.
I approach every intensive with the same values I bring to all of my work: authenticity, curiosity, compassion, and a deep belief that the healing you're looking for is possible.
Learn More About SarahThe Journey
How It Works
You reach out.
Submit our EMDR Intensive inquiry form. Sarah personally reviews every inquiry — including your responses to a few brief screening questions — to determine whether an intensive is likely to be a good fit before scheduling your consultation.
Free consultation (45 minutes).
If your inquiry looks like a good fit, our team will reach out to schedule a free 45-minute consultation. This is a real conversation — not a sales call. You'll talk about your goals, your history, and what you're hoping for. Together you'll decide whether to move forward and which format makes sense for you.
Preparation session (60 minutes).
Once you're scheduled, you and Sarah meet for a dedicated preparation session before your intensive date. You'll receive a personalized workbook to complete in the time between your preparation session and your intensive — so that when the day arrives, you're ready to go deep.
Your intensive.
You spend your intensive day — or days — at Sanctuary. Sessions are paced thoughtfully, with built-in breaks, so you can go as deep as the work calls for without feeling overwhelmed. This is your time. Sarah's full attention is yours.
Integration session (within two weeks).
Healing doesn't end when the intensive does. Your integration session, scheduled within two weeks of your intensive, gives you space to process what emerged, consolidate what shifted, and bridge the work back into your daily life.
Investment
Intensive Formats & Pricing
Every package includes a free consultation, preparation session with personalized workbook, your intensive, and a post-intensive integration session.
Option One
Half-Day Intensive
Up to 3 hours
$900
Option Two
Full-Day Intensive
Up to 6 hours
$1,500
Option Three
Two-Day Intensive
Up to 12 hours
$2,700
All packages include: Free 45-min consultation · 60-min preparation session · Personalized workbook · Intensive session(s) · Integration session within two weeks
Self-pay only — not billed to insurance. HSA/FSA accepted. Full payment required in advance. Good Faith Estimate provided prior to services. Virtual intensives available for clients anywhere in Alabama.
Getting Here
Traveling for Your Intensive?
Many of our intensive clients travel from outside the Montgomery area — and we want to make that as easy as possible. We're happy to suggest nearby accommodations that are comfortable and convenient for clients coming from out of town. Just let us know when you reach out and we'll point you in the right direction.
On-site accommodation on the Sanctuary property may be available for Two-Day Intensive clients in the future. Stay tuned.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an EMDR Intensive right for me if I've never done EMDR before?
Possibly, yes. Prior EMDR experience is not required. Sarah will assess your readiness and history during the free consultation and preparation session, and will ensure you have the tools and foundation needed before beginning intensive processing work.
Can I do an intensive if I'm already seeing a therapist?
Yes — and in fact, many intensive clients are referred by their existing therapist for focused EMDR work as a complement to their ongoing care. We're happy to coordinate with your therapist if that's helpful.
What if I need to cancel?
We understand that life happens. Full refunds are available for cancellations made 14 or more days in advance. Cancellations 7–13 days in advance receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within 7 days are non-refundable, though Sarah may offer the option to reschedule within 60 days as a courtesy.
Do you offer virtual intensives?
Yes. While the in-person experience at Sanctuary is something we feel strongly about, we understand that travel isn't always possible. Virtual intensives are available for clients located anywhere in Alabama.
How do I get started?
Simply fill out the inquiry form below. Sarah reviews every submission personally and then our team will be in touch usually within one to two business days.
Get Started
Ready to Take the Next Step?
We'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form below and Sarah will personally review your inquiry and our team will be in touch within one to two business days.