What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a highly effective and evidence-based approach for individuals struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. EMDR therapy is a safe and supportive environment where you can work through difficult emotions and memories with the guidance of a trained and licensed therapist.

The goal of EMDR therapy is to help individuals reprocess negative beliefs and experiences that may be causing distress, such as trauma, anxiety, depression, and phobias. EMDR therapy works by helping the brain process and integrate distressing memories and experiences through the use of bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping. This process leads to a reduction in symptoms and an improvement in overall well-being.

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How Does it Work?

EMDR therapy starts with an initial assessment, where the therapist will take a detailed history and together with you determine which negative beliefs and memories to target in therapy.

During an EMDR therapy session, the therapist will guide the client through a series of eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation (we use tappers that vibrate from righto to left) while asking them to recall a distressing memory. This process helps the client reprocess the memory in a way that reduces the intensity of the negative emotions and beliefs associated with it.

EMDR therapy also involves helping the client develop coping strategies and emotional regulation skills to manage any difficult emotions that may arise during the reprocessing process.

What Are the Benefits?

EMDR therapy can offer numerous benefits for individuals struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. Some of the benefits of EMDR therapy include:

Rapid relief from symptoms: EMDR therapy can provide rapid relief from symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns, often in just a few sessions.

Effective treatment for trauma: EMDR therapy is highly effective in treating trauma and can help individuals overcome the effects of past traumatic experiences.

Safe and non-invasive: EMDR therapy is a non-invasive and safe treatment approach that does not require medication.

Holistic approach: EMDR therapy takes a holistic approach to treatment by addressing the mind-body connection and helping individuals develop coping strategies and emotional regulation skills.

Long-lasting results: EMDR therapy can produce long-lasting results, helping individuals to move forward in their lives with a greater sense of well-being.

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The Eight Stages of EMDR

History and Treatment Planning: This stage involves taking a detailed history of the individual's life experiences and developing a treatment plan that targets specific memories and beliefs.
Preparation: In this stage, the therapist helps the individual develop coping skills and relaxation techniques to prepare them for the emotional processing that will occur in later stages.
Assessment: This stage involves identifying specific negative beliefs and memories that will be targeted in therapy and developing a plan for reprocessing them.
Desensitization: This stage involves using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, to help the individual reprocess negative memories and beliefs.
Installation: In this stage, the therapist works with the individual to install positive beliefs and emotions to replace negative ones.
Body Scan: This stage involves using somatic techniques to help the individual identify and release any physical tension or discomfort associated with negative memories.
Closure: In this stage, the therapist helps the individual return to a state of relaxation and calm after completing a processing session.
Re-evaluation: This final stage involves assessing the individual's progress and identifying any remaining issues that need to be addressed in therapy.

In-person and remote options

Our private office is conveniently located around 10 minutes off of I-95 and a couple miles from the beach. Can’t make it into the office or want to save time on the commute?
No worries – we’ve got you covered with teletherapy!