HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT FROM AN EMDR INTENSIVE:

1. History Taking. History taking is an integral part of the EMDR treatment process. I will learn about who you are and where you come from, as well as what are the symptoms you’re experiencing that you’d like to address with me in treatment. Going through a history can also help me as the clinician to identify issues to address which may be getting in the way as well (such as shame, stigma, or repressed traumas). 

2. Resourcing Session. If we’re going on a difficult journey together, it’s important to pack the right tools. During this session I will teach you how to utilize mindfulness and visualization skills which will help you to have the resources you need to undergo EMDR treatment. Key components will be learning calming techniques, as well as developing an internal Container and Calm Safe Place. 

3. Processing. The Processing sessions may take place in consecutive back to back days or we may schedule one full day intensive one day, and the next the following week. Now that we have prepared ourselves for the journey, these days are about embarking on it. Together. I will be with you every step of the way. During the first part of day 1, we will create our map together, which will include a list of things we want to target to resolve using EMDR. These items may include symptoms, traumatic events, or stuck ways of thinking. We will use clinical tools to evaluate how distressing these items are at the onset of treatment. We will then pick an item from the list, and begin treatment. We will foster a safe place together. The mechanism of the actual treatment include using what’s called Bilateral Stimulation, such as rhythmic tapping or eye movement, to activate the brain’s Adaptive Information Processing System. During this process, your level of distress regarding the traumatic memory will decrease, and then we will use the process known as Installation to increase more positive ways of seeing both yourself and the world around you. EMDR is a holistic model that addresses not only your brain, but the way trauma gets stored in your body as well, and we will use the process of Body Scan to tune in to any places trauma may have gotten stuck in your body, offering us clues for approaching and targeting treatment. 

4. Reevaluation and Closure of Treatment. During this phase, we will retake the scores from your presenting symptoms to be sure we have properly addressed and processed your trauma, and we’ll have the chance to reflect back on our work together. My clients will often go away with a renewed narrative of their lives and hope for their futures.