History & Treatment Plan

Discuss what brought you to therapy, and your goals.

Preparation

Learn new tools to build resilience.

Assessment

Explore beliefs & experiences inhibiting growth.

Desensitization

Use dual attention stimulation while focused on target memories.

Closure

Return to a more centered state with relaxation techniques.

Re-evaluation

Track your session progress and determine next steps.

What is EMDR?

EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that is scientifically proven to help you recover from difficult life experiences. 

It is common for our brains to enter fight-flight-freeze mode when something distressing happens. In these moments, your brain will not metabolize the experience with its normal information processing system.

This unprocessed life experience can become the root of future fear, anxiety, depression, stress, panic, trauma, addiction and more. 

EMDR helps people process challenging life experiences by activating the brain’s normal information processing system. As a result, you’ll be able to see your past experiences with a different perspective, and your current symptoms will ease

How does it work?

Our brains are made up of neurons that communicate with each other, and form neural pathways. These pathways store our memories, and also create associations with other memories, emotions, and new information. 

When something upsetting happens, the neural pathway of that memory can be ‘impaired’. This pathway does not link to other memories, or adapt to new information. As it becomes more and more entrenched, it becomes the foundation for distressing beliefs, feelings, and physical symptoms. 

EMDR uses dual attention stimulation to activate and rewire these negative pathways, so that the bad experiences are ‘desensitized’ and no longer carry a negative charge. 

The desensitizing occurs by holding onto an image of a root memory, while focusing attention elsewhere: eyes side to side, hand taps right left, or eyes straight ahead. This process de-activates your brain’s fight-or-flight response and activates your parasympathetic response. It actually has a calming effect. 

As part of your treatment plan, your therapist helps you strengthen your resilience muscles. Often, at the end of an EMDR course, you will emerge with new wisdom, with more compassion for yourself and others.

When will I see results?

Every person’s experience is unique, so there is no perfect answer for this question. In studies it has been shown that EMDR therapy can achieve measurable results after three to six sessions.

Can EMDR be done virtually?

Yes, EMDR can be done virtually. We use HIPAA-compliant technology for video-based sessions that are secure and private.