A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING EMDR
How Does EMDR Work?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a proven practice with Adaptive Information Processing at its foundation. When information from adverse or traumatic experiences get frozen in the brain, it can show up in symptoms such as anxiety, depression and dysregulated emotions. Activated in a way that makes space for the brain’s natural healing to occur, the reprocessing of the material becomes healthily adaptive. This is where the healing begins.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation. This can be in the form of eye movement, tapping, marching and other types of activities that simulate the right brain/left brain exchange. This processing allows for reduction in the intensity of troubling emotions while creating an opportunity for “rewiring” the brain. The outcome of the processing leads to a cognitive shift that is permanent and no longer disruptive. This is healing!
In addition to traditional hourly and weekly sessions, I take my EMDR work to new heights by delivering it in an intensive format. This is my preferred way of working.
Just as EMDR is different from traditional talk therapy, intensives are different from traditional weekly therapy sessions. I work with my clients to move through the healing process more efficiently so they can quickly jump back into life, work, and play. This is done in a two to five consecutive day format, depending on the complexity of the target for therapy.
You can find more detailed information about EMDR Intensives below:
EMDR Intensives
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Just as EMDR is different from “talk therapy”, EMDR intensives are different from a weekly or bi-weekly therapy session. The work continues through completion rather than shutting down at the end of a therapy hour.
Intensives can be done with individuals as well as groups targeting current and past trauma and adversity.
Sessions last from one to five days, depending on the complexity of the issues and agreed upon goals. They could also be a string of ½ days. Options are dependent on the client needs.
This is a unique laser focused approach on a target rather than symptoms which makes this a bottom up approach rather than top down.
It’s designed to get at the heart of what is impacting the life of the individual while efficiently and effectively moving them to a healing place.
Somatic complaints and physical ailments are often part of the disruption of my client’s lives. Therefore, I creatively integrate yoga and body movement into the work of all EMDR sessions. This is a critical piece of the work as research shows how trauma is held in our body and can lead to chronic health issues, injuries, fatigue, poor sleep, among other symptoms.
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An EMDR Intensive group can be conducted in person or remotely through a HIPAA compliant Zoom platform and is creatively individualized based on what the individual target identified by the participant. One benefit of this experience is that sharing of personal experiences is not required. These are the goals of the group intensive:
Reduce the symptoms of the adverse/traumatic experience so that it no longer activates the nervous system in the same way.
Reprocesses the difficult memories that have been disruptive to your life.
Replace the negative beliefs you had about yourself and create a new story that is more empowering.
Build resilience by integrating the tools mentioned above so that you can get back to life feeling healthy and whole more quickly than traditional therapy.
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While my expertise is used with clients across the age span who are in emotional pain suffering from adverse events and traumatic experiences, I emphasize working with healthcare workers, first responders, and anyone who is at risk for vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue as a result of their vocation.
This type of therapy is ideal for you if:
You are in a vocation that is high pressure as you provide care for others.
You are experiencing fatigue, apathy, lack of focus.
An anxious or depressed mood has been a daily battle.
You have been asking yourself why you matter.
Ruptures in relationships have caused you to feel isolated.
You are feeling isolated and ashamed because of the symptoms you have been experiencing
Consider how EMDR Intensives will help you to heal more quickly & effectively so that you can return to your work feeling centered with restored faith in your work and with the ability to tolerate adversity because you are more resilient.
Examples of my clients are missionaries needing to get back overseas, physicians, nurses & other medical staff working in trauma units, police officers & firefighters all of whom are trying to find their center again and restore their faith in the work they do.
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Clients see several benefits to intensive sessions compared to traditional therapy sessions.
In the EMDR Intensives the client gets my undivided attention all day, every day for consecutive days based on the agreed upon time frame.
When engaged in focused work in an ongoing format, progress can be immediately transformative as opposed to weeks and months of hourly therapy sessions.
While larger upfront cost, it’s more cost effective in the long run with the efficiency gained from shorter duration of treatment.
Reduction in lost work time and being away from other obligations with the shorter term treatment.
Clients from out of town or out of state need only travel once for treatment.
Waiting lists are shorter for intensives while there is often a long wait time for traditional therapy.
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While EMDR Intensives are not usually covered by insurance, hourly sessions are if I am in their network.
I accept third party payment from the following: GHP, Cigna, Aetna, Magellan, Optum, Highmark, and a special contracted rate for Capital Blue Cross. Please check your coverage in advance to be sure you understand what is covered and what your responsibility will be.
Why would you want to pursue EMDR Intensive therapy that may not be covered by insurance?
The work we do is highly concentrated and focused which could save you in the long run.
This is a cost effective approach that allows us to see the work through to the end by only opening up the symptom driving experiences once rather than every week. As a result, we are producing long lasting effects more efficiently and effectively.
No more weekly appointments, more time to engage in life, quicker improved quality of life, AND you don’t have to live in Pennsylvania to pursue treatment with me! Yes, rather than a weekly or bi-weekly sessions where you are traveling to meet with me, you only need to come for this one intensive where we’ll be able to accomplish the work in days rather than months or years.
Recommended Viewing
This 10 minute video from the EMDR International Association, gives a thorough an accessible introduction to what EMDR is, how it’s performed, and the benefits to those who seek treatment using this technique. For further information and learning, please visit the resources page!