Welcome to the start of something new, something different, something amazing.
We all come to therapy with the hopes of sustainable change; unfortunately, sometimes we are left feeling that something was missing. The traditional weekly model of talk therapy often provides individuals with support and resources; but sometimes without the outcomes we were seeking. This model can be effective, and sometimes exactly what someone needs; but it can also have limitations.
It is with this in mind that I offer Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), which is an efficient and effective treatment approach for an array of mental health needs. EMDR addresses the concerns we experience as a result of adverse life experiences. This approach goes beyond talk therapy by targeting the core of what is burdening us from our past. Talk therapy typically focuses on state change, shifting our moment by moment experiences; where EMDR focuses on trait change, shifting our internal belief system of self and others to instill safety, security, and worthiness; resulting in sustainability in our moment by moment daily experiences.
I offer an advanced EMDR approach that incorporates Attachment Theory, Affect Regulation Theory, Somatic Interventions, Internal Family Systems Model, and Structural Dissociation Theory. I offer EMDR therapy in the following ways:
- Traditional model of weekly sessions in 50, 80, or 110 minute sessions
- Intensive sessions in half day (3 hour) and full day (6 hour) sessions
- Adjunct treatment, traditional or intensive, for those currently working with a primary therapist, but interested in this effective approach to target specific treatment goals.
To learn more about:
EMDR
What can EMDR help with?:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma and stress-related issues
- Complex, relational, and developmental trauma
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
- Chronic illness, medical issues, somatic complaints
- Depression and mood disorders
- Dissociative disorders
- Grief and loss
- Performance anxiety
- Sleep disturbance
- Substance abuse and addiction
Want to learn more?
- Twenty-four randomized controlled trials support the positive effects of EMDR therapy in the treatment of emotional trauma and other adverse life experiences relevant to clinical practice.
- Twelve randomized studies of the eye movement component noted rapid decreases in negative emotions and/or vividness of disturbing images, with an additional 8 reporting a variety of other memory effects.
- Numerous other evaluations document that EMDR therapy provides relief from a variety of somatic complaints.
- Seven of 10 studies reported EMDR therapy to be more rapid and/or more effective than trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.
EMDR Intensives
What does an EMDR Intensive mean and include?:
- EMDR Intensives refer to EMDR sessions that are extended in length and increased in frequency, offered in a structured format with specific treatment goals, and that allow for accelerated engagement in the therapeutic process.
- This format allows for you to engage in your healing experience in an efficient and effective manner through a personalized treatment program, more time spent together in session, and multiple sessions in one week.
- Intensive sessions are offered in half day (3 hour) and full day (6 hour) format, often for 3-9 sessions total, with options to meet multiple days per week.
- It is a tailored program for you. When we work intensively, we will:
- Meet for a pre-intensive interview/assessment to collaboratively identify and create your specific treatment goals.
- You will be provided with a personalized workbook which allows you to work towards your goals before, during, and after your intensive program.
- Meet for a post-intensive interview to assess and support your positive shifts from treatment.
Ongoing intensive therapy is available if you are seeking long-term support with several treatment goals.
Why choose to work intensively?
- Perhaps you’ve thought of, or even tried, the weekly therapy model, but with your hectic schedule and life demands, committing to weekly sessions has felt overwhelming or unattainable.
- Perhaps you need help now, and the idea of spending months in therapy does not feel helpful for where you’re at.
- Perhaps you’re entering into a phase in life or within your schedule where you now have the time to engage in therapy, but know the weekly model will not be sustainable over time.
- What does the research on intensive EMDR look like?
- Intensive application of trauma-focused therapy seems to be well tolerated in patients with PTSD, enabling faster symptom reduction with similar, or even better, results, while reducing the risk that patients drop out prematurely. Learn more here.
- Additional resources of intensive application of trauma-focused therapy here.
- Intensive EMDR treatment is feasible and is indicative of reliable improvement in PTSD symptoms in a very short time frame. Learn more here.
- An intensive program using EMDR therapy is a potentially safe and effective treatment alternative for complex PTSD. Learn more here.
- The economy is compelling: even compared to other trauma therapy, the intensive format may decrease treatment time, because of time not spent on a) checking in at the beginning of each session, b) addressing current crises and concerns, c) focusing on stabilizing and coping skills that the client won’t need after trauma healing, or d) assisting the client in regaining composure at the end of the session. Learn more here.
Adjunct EMDR
What does Adjunct EMDR mean and include?:
- EMDR therapy can be offered as an adjunct support to your therapeutic work with your primary therapist.
- Adjunct EMDR is offered in both the traditional and intensive format to target specific treatment goals.
- By narrowly targeting specific traumatic memories or intrusive symptoms, brief adjunct EMDR can accelerate progress in traditional therapy, help the client and the primary therapist to resolve stuck points, and enrich their ongoing work.
- Adjunct therapy does not replace or interrupt ongoing therapy; it is supplemental to the primary therapeutic relationship.
- I partner with primary therapists and their clients throughout their adjunct EMDR experience.
- Usually, adjunct therapy is short term (4-12 sessions) and focuses on specific target memories/symptoms that interfere with the client’s therapeutic gains.
- The success of treatment is based on clearly defined goals for the EMDR therapist, defined in collaboration with the primary therapist and client.
Why consider adjunct EMDR?
- Perhaps you’ve had a felt sense that something profound has yet to change, but you’re not quite sure how to shift all the way into a new experience of yourself with your current therapist. Maybe you now cognitively understand new things, yet your body is still confused, so you’re curious about how adjunct EMDR therapy can help as you work with your primary therapist.
- Perhaps you’ve gained beautiful insights through your current therapeutic experience and have developed resources to support with managing daily triggers; and wonder if adjunct EMDR can support in shifting your mind and body’s response to triggers so that daily management is no longer needed.
- Perhaps you’ve recognized with your current therapist that there are past experiences impacting your present, that perhaps your concerns are a result of trauma, and now feel ready to engage in the healing process of adjunct EMDR.