EMDR Therapy
At Whole Mind Therapy and Counseling, we specialize in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to help individuals heal from past trauma and distressing experiences.
Experience the Power of EMDR in Massachusetts: Overcome Trauma, Disturbing Memories and Embrace a Confident Future
What is EMDR Therapy?
As an experienced therapist in Massachusetts, I offer EMDR therapy, a powerful and effective treatment designed to help individuals alleviate symptoms and heal from distressing memories and experiences. EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, utilizes bilateral stimulation techniques such as eye movements, sounds, or self-tapping, while simultaneously holding a distressing memory or experience in mind.
By incorporating bilateral stimulation, EMDR therapy mimics the natural eye movements that occur during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. REM sleep is a part of our sleep cycle that facilitates the processing of experiences and memories. This unique approach allows EMDR to access and reprocess the traumatic or distressing memories that have become "stuck" in our minds and bodies.
Sometimes, challenging experiences become trapped, causing overwhelming distress and leaving us feeling stuck. EMDR therapy aims to unlock and release this psychological distress that has been frozen in our bodies and minds. By addressing these unprocessed experiences, individuals can effectively change their emotional responses to past adversities, navigate current situations more adaptively, and cultivate a sense of hope and confidence in their future.
As an EMDR therapist in Massachusetts, I am committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for clients to embark on their healing journey. By harnessing the power of EMDR therapy, individuals can experience profound transformations and achieve a greater sense of well-being.
Information from EMDRIA.com
“EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences.” https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy
Informational video on EMDR Therapy from EMDRIA.com
Introduction to EMDR Therapy
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
How I use EMDR therapy with my clients
Clients who engage in EMDR therapy say they feel less burdened by their experiences from their past. Clients say that when they think about things from their past that used to bother them, the memory feels “far away” and it doesn’t have the same emotional pull that it once did.
EMDR is an evidenced based therapy that has been widely researched for its effectiveness in treating a number of mental health concerns. There are many conditions EMDR has been proven to treat with great success. In my practice I provide online EMDR therapy for the following concerns:
Traumatic events and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
Anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, phobias.
Perfectionism.
Performance anxiety, including public speaking anxiety and fear of failure.
Feelings of shame associated with addiction recovery and substance abuse.
Work-related stress and performance blocks.
Issues with confidence, self-esteem, and shame.
Relationship strain.
Family of origin concerns, such as early parent separation, family conflict, and growing up in an alcoholic household.
By integrating EMDR techniques into my practice, I strive to provide effective treatment options that address these concerns and support clients in their healing journey.
The EMDR Therapy Process: The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR has proven to accelerate the reduction and alleviation of anxiety symptoms and physical tension, and has been shown to improve self esteem as it relates to past adverse experiences.
It is a safe and effective therapy that utilizes a structured protocol broken down into these eight phases.
Phase 1: History Taking
This phase includes the history taking, developing a therapeutic rapport between the client and therapist, and treatment planning. In this phase you will work with me to identify a presenting concern, which is the reason why you have chosen to engage in EMDR therapy. It could be something like, “anxiety and stress in my work and relationships.” From there, we will identify present triggers, i.e. speaking to my boss about a project or feeling criticized by my partner which makes me feel overwhelmed and stressed. We will use these current triggers to see how these current issues may be connected to earlier experiences, which will allow us to develop a treatment plan for your EMDR reprocessing.
Phase 2: Resourcing and Preparation
In this phase, I will explain in more detail about what to expect from EMDR therapy, answer any questions you may have, and work with you to see which form of bilateral stimulation (BLS) you prefer. We have several options including eye movements, use of sounds, or self tapping. Additionally, during this stage, I will work with you develop coping techniques, identify your personal strengths, and introduce you to some very cool guided imagery and meditative exercises before you move on to phase 3.
Phase 3: Assessment
In this phase, we will identify a specific memory experience to reprocess. You will access this experience and identify the stuck points you experience through your thoughts and beliefs about the situation, your emotions about the situation, and where you are experiencing this in your body. Once we do this we will move right into phase 4.
Phase 4: Desensitization
In this phase you will bring up an image of the memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation (BLS) through eye movements, sounds, or tapping. You will do “sets” which are essentially short periods of BLS while you hold the memory in mind. I will check-in with you in between sets to allow you to share any thoughts, feelings and experiences you are having, and you will then resume sets of BLS. In this stage you will work specifically on the disturbing experience, and allow your brain to do the work to change your emotional response and neutralize the experience.
Phase 5: Installation
When desensitization is complete, we will move right into phase 5, which includes a positive belief about yourself relating to the now neutralized memory you processed. Cool, right?!
Phase 6: Body Scan
Stress, anxiety, and trauma get frozen in the body. At this point you've done a lot of work, but we want to make sure that any residual distress is cleared from your body. In this phase, you will be asked to hold the disturbing memory while checking in with your body for any tension, tightness, or distress. We look for a calm and neutral body scan to be sure the memory has been fully reprocessed.
Phase 7: Closure
Every EMDR reprocessing and desensitization session ends with a closure. This is whether or not you have completed reprocessing a memory or whether we will resume reprocessing during our next appointment. The closure will allow you to recenter yourself using relaxation techniques before we end our session.
Phase 8: Reevaluation
Every session will begin with a reevaluation, essentially checking in on your experiences in between appointments, and discussing other memories or experiences to reprocess.
EMDR therapy is a robust and structured form of therapy. While EMDR is known to accelerate the healing process, I also want my clients to be mindful that we will not be hasty or moving fast. I want my clients to have a positive experience with this form of therapy, and be curious, patient, and mindful along the way.
Your future
Another very useful and unique part of EMDR that we will work on is your “future template.” After you have reprocessed past disturbing experiences, and current triggers, we will then focus on how you want to respond to difficult or anxiety provoking situations in the future. This will allow you to approach your future with greater outlook and confidence. We will focus on accessing your internal strengths and resources that you already possess and enhance these strengths to use in future situations.
Want to learn more about EMDR? Schedule your free consultation today.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful and effective treatment option for individuals seeking to overcome distressing memories and experiences. By utilizing bilateral stimulation and replicating the natural processing that occurs during REM sleep, EMDR therapy helps individuals process and release unprocessed trauma, leading to a greater sense of emotional freedom and resilience.
EMDR therapy offers a structured approach that guides clients through the journey of healing and empowers them to create a brighter future. EMDR therapy can provide you with the opportunity to break free from the burdens of the past and move towards a future filled with greater confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being.
If you are interested in learning more about EMDR therapy or have any questions, please reach out and schedule a free consultation. Take the first step towards a transformative healing journey and unlock the potential within you.
Frequently Asked Questions
I thought EMDR was only used to treat PTSD. If I haven’t been diagnosed with PTSD, will EMDR still work for me?
EMDR was first developed and researched in the 1980’s to treat PTSD. It is a very effective treatment for PTSD; however, since that time, EMDR has been researched, and is also an effective therapy for other conditions, including: anxiety, panic attacks, depression, relationship strain, issues with self-esteem and confidence, addictions, etc. As humans, we all face adversity and traumatic experiences that get locked in our memory system, and sometimes we find when this happens, we get into stuck points in our lives, and this is where EMDR can be helpful.
How does online EMDR therapy work?
Online EMDR therapy has been proven to be just as effective as in-person EMDR therapy. I follow the protocol I mentioned above and will work with you to find the right form of bilateral stimulation (BLS) that is most effective for you. This may include hand motions, use of an online eye movement technique you can use on your computer, use of sound, or use self-tapping. All of these methods have been researched and are all effective forms of BLS.
How will I feel after EMDR therapy?
This can vary, but in general people report feeling a sense of relief and calmness after an EMDR therapy session. However, since EMDR activates memories that can be uncomfortable, you may also feel sad, irritable, or ever a little tired. You may also notice that you’re having more vivid dreams. This is all very normal, and whether you feel calm or sad, it is a sign that you’re processing material from the past, and incorporating new information from your EMDR therapy.
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