EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based treatment for trauma and complex trauma, and presently the most widely-recognized way to treat trauma.
It works by activating the “stuck” traumatic memories and helping them move along and process through. It can be re-traumatizing to repeatedly talk about the trauma with words - EMDR avoids this aspect entirely.
People usually come to EMDR having experienced either something recent, or have a history of something that feels like it will never resolve.
EMDR Therapy works for either complex issues or single-incident issues.
Complex issues are if it seems like you’ve…
been struggling for a long time with the same issues
reached a stuck point in your therapy
having uncharacteristically large reactions to things in your life
A single-incident issue is if you avoid certain things like…
driving over bridges
riding in elevators
being in close quarters
petting certain animals
EMDR is offered two ways, depending on your preference. We can meet weekly, which gives you time to process in between sessions, or intensive, where we process through trauma in half or full day sessions. Intensive appointments offer longer blocks of time in which to process; instead of spreading the therapy over weeks and months, we can make dramatic progress in a half or full day. People choose EMDR Therapy Intensives because they want to feel better, faster; are very connected to their therapist but feel stuck with a particular issue or feeling; have a schedule is such that it’s too hard to find consistent, weekly times for therapy. Results are not based on which method you choose. It comes down to preference and availability.
What happens next?
Schedule a Consultation Call - During this 30 minute call, we will review your most pressing concerns and goals for EMDR, and if you’re choosing a weekly appointment or an intensive appointment. We’ll make sure we are aligned and a good fit and that EMDR is right for you. The process looks exactly the same, the only difference is how the hours are spent - over the course of one or two days, or weeks & months.
Once we schedule, I’ll send you forms and assessments to complete. This paperwork gives me more information about you and helps me create a treatment plan for our time together, ensuring we maximize our time together. If you are working with a talk therapist, I’m happy to consult with them.
The first part of the process includes getting to know each other relationally and helping you establish a baseline of safety and connection. We’ll refine your goals and then get started reprocessing trauma, from a place of safety and connection to me, and within yourself.
A week or two after we complete EMDR therapy, you’ll receive a follow up session to check in on the progress made and see how you’re getting along. At that point you may decide to continue with therapy, or take a break. It’s really up to you and how you’re feeling about your treatment.