Trauma Recovery (EMDR Therapy)

Traumatic events profoundly impact our lives, our loved ones, and our identity; often leaving remnants of the event behind long after it happened. We’re simply never the same thereafter.

Many people often feel haunted by the ghosts of past trauma. The memories, flashbacks, triggers, and intense emotions flood into our mind, leaving us feeling a sense of helplessness and loss of control. We are often left feeling stuck with no way out.

If you tired of feeling stuck, acting out in destructive ways that hurt you or your loved ones, and desire more depth to your life and relationships, then EMDR therapy may be a good fit for you.

Recovering from trauma is entirely possible. Start your journey towards health and wholeness with EMDR therapy.  

What Is Trauma? What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Trauma is a physical and psychological response to horrible event where one experiences or witnesses an imminent threat to the life and safety of others or oneself; commonly leaving the person feeling helpless and out of control. Many persons will initially experience shock and denial, which are typical responses to traumatic experiences.

While our mental, emotional, and physical responses to trauma are designed, in that present moment, to protect us against imminent threat or perceived death. When trauma is left unintegrated as “unfinished business”, it can have a profound negative impact on our relationships, family, work, spirituality, and body throughout our lifespan.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) defines the clinical criteria used by therapists, social workers, doctors, insurance agencies, etc. to diagnose a client with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. While many people may display the symptoms and problems associated with trauma, they never receive an official clinical diagnosis.

How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy used process and integrate emotional traumatic and disturbing memories as a result of extremely stressful experiences. When processing becomes frozen or blocked by a disturbing event, the resulting emotional wound festers and can lead to life-long pain and suffering when left untreated.

EMDR has been recognized as an effective psychotherapeutic tool for treating PTSD, single-incident trauma, and is also, beneficial for treating complex trauma and other adverse memories lead to symptoms of depression, distress, low self-esteem, powerlessness, shame, anger, anxiety, and helplessness.

EMDR re-activates the body and mind’s naturally abilities to heal and integrate traumatic or other disturbing experiences which were previously impeded. As a natural outcome of the EMDR therapeutic process, clients convey robust feelings of empowerment, serenity, strength, liberation, and courage; all natural indicators of emotional wellbeing and health.

What Kind of Problems Can EMDR Treat?

Current scientific research has found EMDR effective in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; however, many clinicians have also found EMDR to be an effective tool in treating:

* Panic Attacks

* Disturbing Memories

* Performance Anxiety

* Addiction

* Eating Disorders

* Stress Reduction

Getting Started with EMDR Therapy

We understand that many clients experience a lot of anticipatory anxiety about starting EMDR therapy to address traumatic and disturbing memories. “I don’t want to think about it, let alone talk about it” are common responses clients have, and understandably so, as we all have a natural propensity to avoid any sort of pain.

Since disturbing thoughts, feelings, and body sensations can arise during reprocessing of trauma, we will spend as much time as we need preparing you with the tools and skills that will help you throughout the reprocessing journey. Of course, we will continue working together building and developing your coping skills throughout the entire process.

What client’s say they like the most about EMDR therapy is they don’t have to talk about their trauma. The story isn’t entirely important to how EMDR therapy helps clients integrate trauma. In session, I will commonly ask client’s to just focus on the worst part of the memory, and then instruct them to “go with that”. After applying bilateral stimulation, I will encourage them to “Rest. Take a deep breath. And let it go”, then ask them to observe what they are presently noticing. Then we just “go with that” and continue the processing.

You are in complete control of the EMDR session. If at any time things become too overwhelming for you, you can stop the session. We will take a break and I will help you utilize your resources to ground and calm all of those stressful thoughts and feelings until you are ready to start again. We go at the pace of YOU. Whatever you’re ready to deal with we’ll deal with. Whatever you’re not ready to deal with, we’ll prepare you to deal with when you are ready.

And of course, safety – creating a safe container for clients to process traumatic memories and ensuring the physical and mental safety – is my number one priority and responsibility to my client’s. If at any point you feel unsafe, whether in session or outside of our sessions, please contact me and I will help guide you through.

Potential Risks Involved with EMDR Therapy:

As with most therapeutic modalities, there are certain risks involved with EMDR. EMDR is not a “one-session” cure, as it serves to desensitize the individual to the anxiety related to traumatic memories, not to eliminate all PTSD-symptomology and complications, nor is EMDR to be utilized as a coping strategy. While EMDR has been researched as a highly effective modality for single-incident trauma, it is not recommended for a person who have multiple traumas (known as complex trauma), or who has been diagnosed with dissociative disorders or personality disorders.

Below are some of the risks associated with EMDR Therapy which can occur after an EMDR session:

• Sleep disturbances, including but not limited to: nightmares, bizarre or distressing dreams, difficulties falling or staying asleep

• Exhaustion and fatigue

• Suicidal or homicidal thoughts

• Flashbacks or memories after the EMDR session (this is associated with your brain still reprocessing traumatic memories after a session, and can last for several days or even weeks)

• Dissociated thoughts, feelings of being in a “dream state” following EMDR session, mental “fogginess”

• Psychosis – auditory, visual or tactile hallucinations

• Feeling overwhelmed and emotional flooding

• Physical pain symptoms

• Re-activation of other traumatic memories the client may be unaware of or dissociated from

• Increase in suicidal or homicidal thoughts

• Emotional detachment or disengagement in relationships

• Re-traumatization

I offer a FREE consultation by phone or email for adults interested in trauma therapy. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule an appointment, please click the link below.