EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
What Is It
EMDR is a groundbreaking psychotherapy modality aimed at healing the psychological and physical symptoms stemming from adverse life experiences.
How It Works
EMDR operates on the premise that our brain's natural capacity and desire to heal us, along with the use of dual attention/bilateral eye movements, can reprocess the traumatic event/s. This reprocessing gets rid of negative beliefs associated with the traumatic event/s, such as I am unlovable, and allows a more workable belief, such as I am lovable, to be installed. In addition, the reprocessing allows proper time orientation to occur, related to the traumatic event, which is important for emotional safety.
Recognition
EMDR therapy has garnered international recognition and endorsement from leading health organizations for its effectiveness in accelerating emotional healing while eliminating PTSD symptoms.
Benefits & Effectiveness
EMDR has the ability to create rapid shifting and healing sometimes in as few as 1-2 sessions. Even when a target is not fully cleared, a person can still benefit from positive shifting in different areas of their emotional psyche and/or life. This therapeutic modality has demonstrated efficacy in treating a wide range of psychological issues, including C/PTSD, PTSD, anxiety, depression, OCD, and specific phobias.
How It Works
EMDR is a structured eight-phase treatment modality. The phases are: History taking, Preparation, Assessment, Desensitization, Installation, Body scan, Closure and at the next session, a check in to see what treatment effect has been noticed.
EMDR uses dual attention in that you are recalling a distressing event/s while at the same time receiving bilateral sensory input, such as side-to-side eye movements, to facilitate the brain's natural healing ability.
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EMDR Tools: You can either use the lightbar which has a vertical light go back and forth that you follow OR you can choose to use my hand tappers which are plastic and will vibrate
when you hold them in each hand. For very resistant targets, we can
even layer on headphones with the lightbar or tappers. We have a lot
of flexibility.
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You and I will choose a target, set up the target, and then begin the
reprocessing. Here is an example:
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Target: I don't feel safe.
Most disturbing memory of not feeling safe: When I was 5 years old and my mom left me.
What do you believe about yourself today, as a result? I'm not good enough.
What emotions are coming up now and where do you feel them in your body: I feel sad, anger and shame. My chest is tight right now.
On a scale of 0 - 10, how disturbing is this for you right now? An 8
Ok, now "notice that".
Bilateral sensory stimulation begins.
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I am with you the entire time you are reprocessing and will remind you that you are safe and that the bad memory is not happening right now. You are also still in charge. If you ask me to stop reprocessing, I will honor your request.
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Through its unique process, EMDR assists the brain in moving unprocessed traumatic memories to more adaptive places in the brain which allows normal healing to occur. We are actually changing the structure of your brain by creating new neurological pathways for communication about this event. EMDR's sequential phases guide individuals from being stuck in past memories, through present disturbances, and into a positive future orientation. This leads to a decrease or even complete elimination of distressing symptoms. Many clients will experience relief after just a few sessions making it a powerful tool for emotional healing.
My Experience
As a Certified EMDR Therapist, with over 30 years of experience in the field of counseling, I have dedicated my career to mastering the art of trauma therapy. The deep healing work I do with my clients has been enriched by the profound impact EMDR has had on healing emotional wounds making it a cornerstone of my practice.
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The majority of my work with clients involves the use of EMDR. This specialized focus allows me to provide targeted, transformative care in a shorter period of time. My experience and ongoing commitment to this therapeutic approach has enabled me to support countless individuals on their healing journey and well-being.
Here Is What You Can Expect When You Work With Me:
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My unwavering commitment and attention to your healing journey.
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My 30+ years of clinical experience in a variety of settings serving culturally diverse populations.
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My ability to quickly build rapport and create a safe space for you to do your healing work.
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My knowledge on ego states/parts. They show up in most individual's healing journey.
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My ability to help you identify very specific EMDR targets to reprocess. We work smarter, not harder.
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My knowledge of dissociation. I will assist in integration and teach you how to best use this "super power".
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My top priority is to keep you safe during your healing journey and all treatment is geared towards you recognizing and connecting to your own Personal Power.
Benefits of EMDR
EMDR therapy provides quick healing, treats various psychological issues, and boosts emotional resilience.
Rapid Emotional Healing
Preferred Treatment Modality for PTSD
