EMDR Therapy in Fort Lauderdale | Integrative, Intensive Healing
Takeaway: EMDR therapy is a great option for people who are feeling stuck in traditional talk therapy or want to explore a new way of healing from trauma (or other mental health issues). If you're ready to get started, our team of EMDR therapists in Fort Lauderdale is here to help.
About Us
At Restorative Integrations, we offer boutique therapy services for people in the Fort Lauderdale area and virtually throughout the entire state of Florida. We’re committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based care that’s customized to each client’s unique needs, strengths, and goals for therapy.
Part of this is forming professional yet intimate therapeutic relationships with our clients. By getting a deep understanding of your life’s challenges and joys, we can get to the root of what holds you back and find a path toward healing that’s specific to your situation.
We firmly believe that the therapeutic connection, paired with clinically-proven treatment methods, can be transformative for our clients—especially those who are trauma survivors. We’ve seen the positive impacts firsthand with the hundreds of people we’ve helped.
When we experience trauma, we might get stuck in traumatic memories, emotional distress, or behavior patterns that impact our quality of life. Distressing memories can significantly affect mental health conditions such as depression, PTSD, grief, and anxiety. If this resonates with you, you’re not alone. Thankfully, EMDR therapy is an excellent option for those looking to heal from past trauma in a way that we can’t achieve with talk therapy alone.
About EMDR therapy for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was first created as a trauma therapy by psychologist Francine Shapiro, Psy.D. While it’s still commonly used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it has also been found effective in treating other mental health conditions like mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and more. Many individuals struggling with addiction also face mental illness, suggesting that trauma therapy can be an effective solution for these overlapping issues.
Unlike talk therapy, EMDR therapy uses a technique called bilateral stimulation, most often through eye movements or tapping. This technique changes how traumatic experiences are stored in the brain. It won’t make you forget the painful events of the past, but it can change how you respond to them. Participants are encouraged to recognize body sensations related to distressing experiences in order to better process emotions and negative beliefs. EMDR can significantly improve PTSD symptoms (and other mental health symptoms) and help you feel more grounded in your daily life.
Definition & Purpose of EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a specialized form of psychotherapy designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories and other adverse life experiences. The primary purpose of EMDR therapy is to help individuals process and integrate these traumatic memories, thereby reducing their negative impact on daily life. By reprocessing these experiences, EMDR enables individuals to develop more adaptive coping skills, leading to improved mental health and overall well-being. This approach offers a unique pathway to healing that goes beyond traditional talk therapy, providing a powerful tool for those seeking to overcome the lingering effects of trauma.
At Restorative Integrations (RI), we believe in treating the whole person, not just the trauma. Our approach to EMDR therapy is holistic, incorporating attachment-focused EMDR and relational EMDR to understand each individual’s full experience, including how past relationships and attachments impact their current struggles. We go beyond the standard EMDR protocol by integrating complementary therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, and parts work, including Internal Family Systems (IFS) and ego state therapy. By weaving these approaches together, we ensure that clients receive personalized care tailored to their unique needs, helping them build resilience, foster self-compassion, and achieve lasting healing.
Brief History and Development of EMDR
EMDR was first developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro, an American psychologist. Shapiro discovered that certain eye movements could reduce the vividness and distress associated with traumatic memories. Building on this insight, she developed the EMDR approach, which incorporates bilateral stimulation—such as eye movements or tapping—to facilitate the reprocessing of traumatic memories.
Since its inception, EMDR has evolved into a widely recognized and effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. Today, EMDR is celebrated for its ability to help individuals heal from the emotional wounds of their past, offering a path to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Comparison to Traditional Talk Therapy
EMDR therapy stands apart from traditional talk therapy in its unique approach to processing traumatic memories. While talk therapy focuses on discussing and analyzing the traumatic event, EMDR therapy employs bilateral stimulation to reprocess the memory, reducing its distressing effects. This method allows individuals to confront and process traumatic experiences in a more controlled and safe environment, often leading to faster and more effective healing.
Additionally, EMDR therapy can be used in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), to create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to the individual’s needs. This integrative approach ensures that clients receive the most effective care possible, addressing both the mind and body in the healing process.
Recent research indicates that traumatic memories are not stored in the hippocampus, which typically processes time-stamped memories. Instead, they are encoded in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), a region lacking temporal context. This encoding causes the brain to perceive traumatic events as occurring in the present, leading to reactions as if the trauma is happening now.
Addressing and reactivating these memories in a safe therapeutic setting is essential for healing, as it allows the body to process and release the stored trauma. In EMDR therapy, both the mind and body are engaged through bilateral stimulation, facilitating this process and helping clients separate past experiences from present reality, fostering a sense of safety and resolution.
EMDR therapy services we offer
Individual in-person sessions
Our therapy office is located conveniently in Fort Lauderdale, FL just off I-95 and close to the beach. We welcome clients to join us for in-person EMDR therapy sessions in our private, upscale offices. At your appointment, you can help yourself to complimentary beverages and snacks to help you be as comfortable as possible.
Online EMDR therapy sessions with bilateral stimulation
If you're located outside of the Fort Lauderdale area or prefer to meet your clinician in the comfort of your own home, we also offer online EMDR therapy. Studies show that EMDR therapy is highly effective, so we invite you to take this option if you prefer. All sessions are conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform to ensure that your confidentiality is protected.
Seeking a more intensive format than traditional weekly therapy?
EMDR intensives offer a powerful and accelerated approach to trauma healing, allowing clients to make significant progress in a condensed time frame. While weekly, 45-minute sessions work for some people, others may prefer more intensive support. Since we’re out-of-network providers, we don’t have to follow the arbitrary standards set forth by an insurance company.
Instead, we can consider your unique needs and come up with a custom treatment plan that works for you. Typically, our EMDR intensives take place over3-5 days (4-6 hours each day) and can help people find lasting results in a short amount of time. This approach can be a crucial part of your healing journey, guiding you through personal growth and a better quality of life.
Meet our expert EMDR therapists in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Jessica Ronyak, LMHC
Jessica is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida. She is also certified by the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy International Association (EMDRIA). Jessica also has extensive knowledge of other forms of therapy, including attachment-based therapy and parts work, and she often incorporated these modalities into EMDR treatment.
Kelsie Baggs, LMHC
Kelsie is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida. She is also certified by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). In addition to her EMDR therapy training, Kelsie is also knowledgeable on other effective healing modalities such as trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness techniques.
Key Findings in EMDR Intensive Research
1. Ehlers et al. (2014): This study demonstrated that a one-week treatment with daily sessions was as effective as a three-month weekly treatment for single-event traumas. After seven days, 73% of patients no longer met the criteria for PTSD, with no increase in dropout rates or symptom worsening. (EMDR Association UK)
2. Bongaerts, Van Minnen, & de Jongh (2017): Focusing on complex PTSD, this research involved patients undergoing two 90-minute EMDR sessions per day over two weeks. Results indicated significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, with four out of seven patients losing their PTSD diagnosis post-treatment. The study concluded that intensive EMDR is a potentially safe and effective alternative for complex PTSD. (EMDR International Association)
3. Van Woudenberg et al. (2018): This study compared intensive treatment combining prolonged exposure and EMDR with standard care for severe PTSD. The intensive format, consisting of daily sessions over two weeks, resulted in significant reductions in PTSD severity, highlighting the potential of intensive therapy formats. (Simply Rewire EMDR)
4. Auren et al. (2022): Conducted within a public healthcare setting, this open trial assessed an intensive outpatient program combining prolonged exposure, EMDR, and physical activity over two weeks. Participants showed significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, depression, and overall well-being, with high retention rates. (Simply Rewire EMDR)
These studies collectively indicate that intensive EMDR therapy can lead to rapid and substantial improvements in PTSD symptoms, offering a viable alternative to traditional weekly sessions, especially for individuals seeking expedited relief from trauma-related distress.
Why choose Restorative Integrations for EMDR therapy
We offer multiple EMDR treatment options to best suit your needs.
We’re committed to creating specialized treatment plans for each client we work with. That’s why we offer a range of EMDR therapy services. Whether you prefer in-person sessions, online therapy, or an EMDR intensive, our team is here to help.
We’re dedicated to seeking further training & education on best practices for healing.
Our therapists have undergone extensive training and earned certification through the EMDRIA in order to provide you with the highest quality of care. We’re also dedicated to pursuing continued education to stay informed about the latest mental health research and treatment protocol, including cutting-edge methods like ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.
We use an integrative, whole-person approach.
We believe that a holistic approach to therapy is the most effective. After all, you are more than just your mental health symptoms, negative thoughts, or past memories. By incorporating techniques that address the body, mind, heart, and spirit, we can help you find deep, lasting recovery.
How EMDR Therapy Works
EMDR therapy is a structured process that involves the reprocessing of traumatic memories to reduce their emotional impact. During an EMDR session, the therapist works with the individual to identify and process specific traumatic memories. Bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or tapping, is used to facilitate this reprocessing.
The goal of EMDR therapy is to help the individual reprocess the traumatic memory in a way that diminishes its distressing effects, leading to improved mental health and overall well-being. This method not only addresses the emotional aspects of trauma but also helps to alleviate associated physical symptoms, providing a holistic approach to healing.
FAQs about EMDR therapy
Yes, we believe that EMDR therapy is absolutely worth it. The effectiveness of EMDR is backed by research, and the World Health Organization recommends it for the treatment of trauma and other stress-related disorders.
Keep in mind that everyone's experience with therapy is different. If you're unsure whether EMDR is right for you, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation. Our clinicians can give you a sense of how they can help and offer alternatives if EMDR isn't indicated.
EMDR is highly effective in helping people heal from post-traumatic stress disorder, including single-event trauma, chronic trauma, and sexual, emotional, or physical abuse and neglect. EMDR therapy was originally designed as a treatment for trauma survivors, and this is still one of the most common ways it's used.
EMDR can also help people recover from other mental health conditions, as well as substance abuse disorders. According to the EMDRIA, this treatment can also help people with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), substance abuse disorders, chronic pain, and more.
The Affordable Care Act requires that all insurance plans cover mental health care. This includes EMDR. However, insurance companies can still have stipulations about how many sessions they'll cover, how frequently you can attend therapy, which diagnoses are covered, and more.
Working with an out-of-network provider gives you the freedom to customize your mental health treatment based on your unique situation, not the one-size-fits-all guidelines from your health insurance company. You could also consider using out-of-network benefits depending on your specific plan.
At Restorative Integrations, we understand that the journey through trauma recovery requires a compassionate and skilled approach. With our unique blend of EMDR, attachment-focused and relational techniques, and holistic therapies like CBT, DBT, and parts work, we ensure that each client receives a customized path to healing. Whether through intensive sessions or a more traditional format, our team is dedicated to helping you move beyond trauma, foster resilience, and achieve lasting change. Partnering with us means gaining support from experienced professionals who prioritize your well-being and growth every step of the way.
Ready to take the first step towards starting EMDR therapy? Want to learn more about? Schedule a 30 minute intro call to discuss questions and needs!
