EMDR Therapist for Washington

EMDR FAQ

Is EMDR safe?

• Build a safe, trusting therapeutic relationship and work with all the parts of you to build inner trust and safety first.
• Provide thorough education on the EMDR process, the appropriate role of both client and therapist. You will thoroughly understand every step before we proceed and any questions or concerns will be addressed first.
• Flexibility and adjustment: EMDR can and should be modified for those with certain neurodiversity, developmental disorders, physical issues, etc. And we will thoroughly review all risks and appropriate adjustments before we begin.
• Throughout our work with EMDR you will be in complete control of the process.
  
• Appropriate training is essential: I am EMDRIA trained and have received EMDR therapy myself, two things to check with any EMDR therapist you choose to use. I have also completed advanced training on EMDR for complex PTSD, EMDR for dissociation, and the integration of IFS and ego state therapy to EMDR.
• We will thoroughly screen for severe dissociation and create appropriate safety strategies to manage dissociation. 

Will EMDR work for me?

Many people worry about eye movement being comfortable or difficult. Most client's find eye movement becomes easier with familiarity. And while eye movement is the oldest and most effective form of bilateral stimulation it isn't appropriate for everyone and there are other forms of bilateral stimulation that are available as we work together including bilateral sound and physical tapping.

That said, EMDR isn't for everyone and we will review the appropriateness of EMDR for you before we begin and modify as necessary as we proceed.

What does an EMDR session look like?

EMDR is an 8 phase protocol and every phase looks different. But you can expect the following when working with me:

• We start with establishing a relationship of trust and consent and trust are always central in every step of our work.
• We build your capacity and confidence before we do anything else (EMDR calls this resourcing).
• When processing a traumatic memory we will start by being sure all of you is OK with that work on that day. We will then gather the information needed to activate the memory network attached to the negative experience we are processing. You will briefly think about the memory while we start bilateral stimulation. Eye movement (or other stimulation) will be paused regularly to check in with what feelings, sensations, memories, or realizations have occurred. There is no need to explain these in great detail or even to talk in detail about the memory in question. This process is explained and experienced in detail before we process a single traumatic memory.
• Processing involves not just removing the distress from old memories but building confidence in your ability to handle future distressing situations. 

How quickly will I see results?

The most common answer from any therapist is: it depends. And it does! 

If you come to me to process the experience of one bad car accident you can see results in just a few sessions. If you are hoping to rewire a nervous system harmed by childhood abuse and neglect we will work together much longer. But the good thing about EMDR is you can begin to feel change before you've processed a single memory because EMDR focuses first on building a trusting relationship with your therapist, and building your confidence and resources to cope with everyday life stressors. In my practice clients, even those with complex trauma histories, begin to notice small differences quickly, and those differences compound as trauma processing begins.

How long does EMDR take?

EMDR has often been sold as a "brief" therapy and this can be true for some people, however for most of us with more complex suffering EMDR takes time, and I believe that time investment matters. During EMDR therapy you and your therapist will first build a relationship of trust and safety, one in which you can be fully seen and the developmental, emotional, and support needs that weren't met in certain phases of your life can be re-experienced and healed. Early on in the process you will learn new skills for emotional regulation and self care. But we don't stop at skills, because that would just be addressing symptoms and our goal is to discover the root of your suffering. That process involves storytelling, education, and becoming aware of the patterns that weave through your life.