EMDR

intensives

EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION
AND REPROCESSING

A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF EMDR

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and is a trauma informed, integrative approach to counseling. EMDR is a comprehensive therapy that incorporates approaches, tools, and techniques from several therapies. It is based on Adaptive Information Processing which notes that our present-day symptoms stem from our past lived experiences.    

The focus of EMDR can help you heal from past experiences that are contributing to present day symptoms while gaining clarity and confidence for the future.  

Simple Explanation of EMDR

EMDR therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including but not limited to: post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders. EMDR therapy consists of 8 phases (history taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure and reevaluation) and is grounded in the belief that since emotions and bodies are intertwined, any attempt to heal from past trauma needs to involve body-based techniques. Therefore, EMDR employs such a technique called Dual Attention Stimulation (DAS) (a visual, auditory or tactical rhythmic left-right pattern) utilized by this counselor to “release” the hold the traumatic memory has on your emotional progress and growth. EMDR therapy accesses frozen memory networks using DAS, processes out the disturbing material, integrates helpful information into the memory and reduces/eliminates traumatic symptoms. EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue allowing the brain to resume its natural healing process.

How EMDR Works

SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF The Process

EMDR utilizes the natural healing ability of the body. EMDR is a three-pronged protocol that 1) identifies the PAST events that are at the root of the 2); PRESENT symptoms that are causing distress and 3) utilizes FUTURE templates to reinforce the newly adaptive material. After a thorough assessment and development of a treatment plan, you will be asked specific questions about a particular disturbing memory. Dual Attention Stimulation (DAS) will occur, briefly, as you focus on the distressing memory. At the end of each DAS you will be asked to briefly report back on the experience that occurred during the DAS. Experiences during a session may include changes in thoughts, images and feelings. With repeated sets of DAS, the memory tends to change in such a way that it loses its painful intensity and simply becomes neutral.

EMDR Intensive

I am delighted that you are exploring the use of an EMDR intensive. I am privileged to join with you as you share your most vulnerable self, allowing me to stand on the holy ground of who you are.   

An EMDR Intensive is a concentrated and accelerated form of EMDR therapy that can produce faster results than weekly sessions. With multiple sessions compacted into one time frame you reduce the amount of time spent opening and closing sessions; therefore, increasing the amount of progress you can make. This work is difficult and intense, yet powerful as you go deep within yourself to face your pain, your memories, and your negative thoughts that tend to impact your day-to-day living. This is an opportunity for trauma to leave your body and send it to where it belongs, in the past so you can heal deeply.

EMDR intensives may be ideal for you if:

  • You have a sense that something profound has yet to change but you are not sure how to shift all the way into a new experience of yourself

  • You need help now and you don’t want to spend months in traditional weekly therapy nor wait months to enter therapy

  • You want to break the habit of abandoning yourself

  • You have an experience from your past that is affecting your life

  • You experienced an incident such as a car accident, assault, natural disaster and/or violence that is causing you distress

  • You are experiencing nightmares, flashbacks and setbacks

  • You are ready and willing to commit to doing the very difficult and exhausting transformative work 

Adjunct EMDR Intensive

At times, in talk therapy, you may find “stuck points” that you are unable to move past. You may find that your logic/reasoning and your gut/emotions are at odds, arguing and keeping you trapped in old patterns. You may be repeating the same negative self-talk and/or harmful behavior despite your best efforts to change. 

In such situations your primary counselor may recommend adjunct EMDR. Adjunct EMDR is in addition to your current therapy and is an intense, goal specific approach to help initiate change around an identified issue and/or issues. I partner with your primary therapist to target your specific memories, body sensations or limiting beliefs. The success of treatment is based on clearly defined goals in collaboration with your primary therapist and you. 

how to prepare for an intensive

  • Intensives are for you and about you. The work is demanding and exhilarating. To that end I encourage you to prepare yourself for the intensive:

    • Be open and curious about your story.

    • Get adequate rest the day before the intensive.

    • Inform a friend(s) of your intention so they hold you in their mind, thoughts and/or prayers.

    • Schedule time after the intensive to allow the work to integrate into your being.

Location

Even though I am located in Virginia, that does not mean you need to be. You can travel from anywhere to spend a few days in an EMDR intensive with me.

SAND TRAY

Using a sand tray is a non-verbal, therapeutic hands-on technique that allows you to express and process that which is difficult to connect and understand. This modality touches on concerns, struggles, hopes and dreams when words are difficult to utter or fully process. With the sand tray you have the opportunity to create (no artistic ability needed) your internal world by moving and interacting with the sand and the miniatures. 

Used in conjunction with EMDR, my sand tray is wooden, several inches deep and painted blue on the inside. It is placed on a wheeled table and filled with sand. Along with the sand tray are open shelves of miniatures that are available to represent your internal world.