Trauma Intensives

Focused, evidence-base treatment for healing and growth

Why Trauma Intensives?

At the Couples Center of the Pioneer Valley, we are proud to offer spacious, compassionate opportunities for individuals to work through trauma. Our team is deeply committed to making state-of-the-art trauma treatment accessible to all who seek healing.

Many who come to us are looking to strengthen or repair their relationships—and often, past experiences such as substance use, mental health struggles, criticism, bullying, or other forms of trauma still shape how we connect with those we love.

At CCPV, we believe meaningful change is possible. Trauma lives in the body, and talk therapy alone doesn’t always reach it. Through EMDR and other evidence-based trauma treatments, we help clients release what no longer serves them and move toward greater connection, peace, and vitality in their lives and relationships.

What we treat:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Grief & Loss

  • Relational Challenges

  • Trauma & Abuse

  • Phobias

  • Internalized Oppression

  • Anger & Behavioral Issues

Our Trauma Intensive Team

Katherine Waddell, LMFT
Bonnie McKee, LCSW
Dave Zellmer, LICSW
Chris Buhl, LICSW

Trauma Intensive FAQs

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured form of psychotherapy used to help people process and resolve traumatic memories and associated emotional distress. It involves focusing on upsetting memories or feelings associated with states of mind or body, while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, to activate both sides of the brain. This process helps to rapidly reduce the intensity of the emotional response to the situations in the present related to past issues and can lead to a personal transformation of the meaning associated with the past issues, upsets, and trauma. 

  • There is a long list of things that are treated by EMDR, as well as Flash, Progressive Counting and EFT. This includes but is not limited to depression, anxiety, relational problems, motivational issues, grief and loss, phobias, sexual trauma, internalized oppression, anger issues, and behaviors you wish to change or stop.

  • EMDR therapy can help individuals experience a significant reduction in distress and emotional reactivity related to traumatic memories. It can also lead to a shift in perspective and a feeling of empowerment, allowing individuals to move forward in their healing process. Many clients report a very significant decrease in relational stress after trauma treatment in relationship situations where prior to the treatment they often felt reactive and overwhelmed.

  • FLASH technique, Progressive Counting and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) are all “EMDR adjacent” techniques that are grounded in research and longtime practice, that we offer here at the Center through our clinicians who do individual therapy, and through our developing Trauma Intensives team.

  • Aside from the significant reduction in stress and emotional reactivity, clients often report a sense of peace, freedom and ease around problems that previously affected them deeply in their relationships with self, partners, and family members.

  • Our clinicians are all licensed practitioners with specific certificates in the trauma treatments they use. Check their individual bios for more details.

    Additionally, we all specifically use and work within the methodologies taught by international trauma expert and researcher, Dr. Ricky Greenwald and his colleagues at TICTI, Trauma Institute and Child Trauma Institute, in Western Massachusetts.

Logistical Considerations Regarding Our Intensives

Most of our in-person private intensives take place at our Center offices in Western Massachusetts, downtown Northampton, MA, a quaint and bustling college town with a beautiful area filled with plentiful galleries, restaurants, and cultural events. 

Alternatively, we offer our intensives via Teletherapy.

Booking Your Intensive

If you’re interested in finding out more about our Trauma Team and Trauma Treatment Intensives — whether half-day, full-day, or multi-day — we invite you to reach out.

You’ll have the opportunity to connect directly with our Co-Founder, Katherine Waddell, who will help you explore the best fit for your unique needs and goals.

Healing is possible. Let’s find the path that’s right for you.

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE