EMDR
EMDR is a somatic psychotherapy that utilizes bilateral stimulation such as eye movement or tactile signals to desensitize painful memories, relieve distress and change negative beliefs.
As a trauma therapist, I help people release the emotional charge of painful experiences so that they are no longer triggered by reminders of those events.
EMDR is the gold standard for treating trauma and its resulting PTSD, as well as lesser traumas that get replayed throughout life: rejection, failure, and loss.
EMDR Trauma Treatment for Adults
Because of my specialization in working with children, I can recognize when childhood experiences impact adult functioning, especially early trauma and disrupted attachment.
When childhood trauma doesn’t get adaptively resolved, triggers of the trauma can send adults into a fight/flight response, dysregulating them and causing them to behave erratically or to make choices they wish they hadn’t (act aggressively, act irrationally, or dissociate).
It’s never too late to resolve early trauma.
EMDR is the gold standard for treating acute and chronic trauma and the resulting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). But it also works with “small” traumas that keep getting replayed throughout life (e.g., rejection, failure, and minor losses).
What I like most about this psychotherapy is that it doesn’t assume we know what part of the experience was the most difficult (or not integrated, and therefore subject to being re-experienced when triggered). Even when I don’t use the full EMDR treatment as the primary modality, I use elements of it in my work with all adults.
EMDR Trauma Treatment for Children
The EMDR techniques that work with adults can be adapted to children at different ages.
I have advanced training and continue to receive consultation for using EMDR with kids.
How Does Confidentiality Work with This Age?
For children and adolescents to feel comfortable revealing private information, they need a safe place to communicate about anything they'd like, without fear of that information leaving the room. Yet parents can feel left out and worried when they are told nothing about what happens in the room.
What I say to parents is this: without breaking confidentiality, I will tell you the general theme of what we are working on, and I will encourage the child to share with you challenges and solutions we’ve come up with. I ask young children and teens what they are willing to share with the parents and address worries about sharing any particular information. I might try to mitigate worries, but ultimately I respect the child’s decision.
Booking Guidelines
How do I begin?
You can call or email to schedule a 15-minute phone consultation.
Why can’t I schedule a full session, only a phone call?
Existing clients can schedule any type of session during available hours. Prospective clients can only schedule a free 15-minute consult call. Before scheduling a first full session, I want to make sure that I am the right therapist for you. A good fit between client and the type of issues the therapist can treat is crucial to the success of treatment.
Also, during consult, I will address medical insurance. If I cannot address your therapy needs or if I do not take your insurance, I will try to find a referral for you.