Discover the Healing Power of EMDR Therapy in Sugar Land, Texas
You have been dealing with intrusive memories, flashbacks, and nightmares. You have been to therapy before, and talked at length about how you are always hypervigilant, your laundry list of fears and worries that hold you back from living the life you want. You said all of the horrible things outloud and it did not make a difference. You continued to have panic attacks, feel deep sadness, and left feeling something is wrong with you. Your self-esteem has hit an all-time low, even though you did all of the things that people say will help you. You are discouraged, desperate to feel better, but apprehensive to try therapy again because, frankly, you feel burned. What you went through before was scary. You opened up and were vulnerable, just like you were supposed to time and time again, but the hurt came and then lingered; it did not go away, and you were left in a heap, crying, still struggling to pick up the pieces and move on. You long to feel better, have heard of EMDR and wonder if EMDR is be the answer that will allow you to feel at peace again.
You are living hiding your fears, covering your constant negative emotions from everyone and pretending everything is okay. It is eating away at you and you are need a change.
When you have PTSD and trauma, you are in survival mode. Often, you are thinking of how to get through today, dreading the night because you cannot sleep and have nightmares, and just trying to scrape by enough rest to be able to survive tomorrow. The flashbacks are terrifying, and even more terrifying is the growing space between yourself and those you care about. You have seen your relationships change, and you know you need to change, but you do not know how. So many times, people who have experienced trauma and PTSD are put through the wrong type of therapy by well meaning therapists who do not have experience with trauma and PTSD. Because of this, they use techniques that cannot provide the relief that you desperately need.
At Southern Pine Counseling, 90% of my clients are coming in to get treated for trauma. They are experiencing the same things you are, so I know how to help you.
This is where therapy at Southern Pine Counseling can save the day. The first thing I do is help you find ways to calm yourself down. We look to see how we can first bring peace to your body and mind, because without this skill, talking about your trauma will only cause you to become more overwhelmed and distressed. Then, from there, we work to rebuild your self-confidence and recognize your strengths.
This is helpful because when you are treating trauma, you want to be able to trust yourself, to have the confidence that you can rise to the occasion and care for yourself when you are challenged. From there, we begin to complete EMDR therapy. We talk about the event or events that have been troubling you. Then we break them down one by one into small digestible pieces so that facing your distressor is manageable. Because of the work we did beforehand, even if you go home feeling tired, you have the tools and confidence to care for yourself and know you will come out the other side of this. That is the Southern Pine Counseling difference.
Common Questions About EMDR
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps your brain reprocess distressing memories, reducing their impact on your current life. Many clients find relief and renewed strength through this approach, and I believe it can help you regain control and peace.
Is EMDR a form of Hypnosis?
No, EMDR is not Hypnosis. During EMDR sessions, you, as the client, remain awake and alert as we use bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess distressing memories.
Wondering how long EMDR will take?
The number of sessions varies, but I will guide you through each step, helping you understand what to expect.
It depends on the person and how that memory impacts them. Some sessions and stressors resolve quickly, while others take longer.
What does EMDR treat?
EMDR is used to treat emotional distress from disturbing life experiences, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias.
What is your training and experience with EMDR?
I have been doing EMDR with my clients for 5 years. I have completed certifications, received supervision from EMDR experts, and use EMDR multiple times a week with my clients. I believe in EMDR, and I have seen firsthand how it has helped my clients and know it can help you overcome your trauma, anxiety, and PTSD.
Discover the Power of EMDR Therapy for Trauma Recovery
You have been dealing with intrusive memories, flashbacks, and nightmares. You have been to therapy before, and talked at length about how you are always hypervigilant, your laundry list of fears and worries that hold you back from living the life you want. You said all of the horrible things outloud and it did not make a difference. You continued to have panic attacks, feel deep sadness, and left feeling something is wrong with you. Your self-esteem has hit an all-time low, even though you did all of the things that people say will help you. You are discouraged, desperate to feel better, but apprehensive to try therapy again because, frankly, you feel burned. What you went through before was scary. You opened up and were vulnerable, just like you were supposed to time and time again, but the hurt came and then lingered; it did not go away, and you were left in a heap, crying, still struggling to pick up the pieces and move on. You long to feel better, EMDR is be the answer that will allow you to feel at peace again.
When you have PTSD and trauma, you are in survival mode. Often, you are thinking of how to get through today, dreading the night because you cannot sleep and have nightmares, and just trying to scrape by enough rest to be able to survive tomorrow. The flashbacks are terrifying, and even more terrifying is the growing space between yourself and those you care about. You have seen your relationships change, and you know you need to change, but you do not know how. So many times, people who have experienced trauma and PTSD are put through the wrong type of therapy by well meaning therapists who do not have experience with trauma and PTSD. Because of this, they use techniques that cannot provide the relief that you desperately need.
This is where therapy at Southern Pine Counseling can save the day. At Southern Pine Counseling, 90% of my clients are coming in to get treated for trauma. They are experiencing the same things you are, so I know how to help you. The first thing I do is help you find ways to calm yourself down. We look to see how we can first bring peace to your body and mind, because without this skill, talking about your trauma will only cause you to become more overwhelmed and distressed. Then, from there, we work to rebuild your self-confidence and recognize your strengths. This is helpful because when you are treating trauma, you want to be able to trust yourself, to have the confidence that you can rise to the occasion and care for yourself when you are challenged. From there, we begin to complete EMDR therapy. We talk about the event or events that have been troubling you. Then we break them down one by one into small digestible pieces so that facing your distressor is manageable. Because of the work we did beforehand, even if you go home feeling tired, you have the tools and confidence to care for yourself and know you will come out the other side of this. That is the Southern Pine Counseling difference.
Common Questions About EMDR
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that helps your brain reprocess distressing memories, reducing their impact on your current life. Many clients find relief and renewed strength through this approach, and I believe it can help you regain control and peace.
Is EMDR a form of Hypnosis?
No, EMDR is not Hypnosis. During EMDR sessions, you, as the client, remain awake and alert as we use bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess distressing memories.
Wondering how long EMDR will take?
The number of sessions varies, but I will guide you through each step, helping you understand what to expect.
It depends on the person and how that memory impacts them. Some sessions and stressors resolve quickly, while others take longer.
What does EMDR treat?
EMDR is used to treat emotional distress from disturbing life experiences, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias.
What is your training and experience with EMDR?
I have been doing EMDR with my clients for 5 years. I have completed certifications, received supervision from EMDR experts, and use EMDR multiple times a week with my clients. I believe in EMDR, and I have seen firsthand how it has helped my clients and know it can help you overcome your trauma, anxiety, and PTSD.
Have questions? Send us a message!
What is EMDR?
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is having a moment and is one of the most talked-about treatment modalities of the moment. If you’ve ever felt like your past traumas were dragging you down, EMDR might just be the sparkly new approach you need. EMDR allows clients to tap into those stressful, anxiety-provoking, traumatic memories, but in a way that really lightens the emotional burden. Here’s how it works: EMDR is a structured therapy that taps into specific memories. Before you get scared and think this is too overwhelming for me, know that it’s not all about diving deep into the gloom. In that moment, you quickly touch on those memories while experiencing what's known as bilateral stimulation. Originally, this involved making eye movements, and trust me, it’s not as weird as it sounds! This process has been proven to reduce not only the vividness of those memories but also the overwhelming emotions tied to them. Think of it as a way to lay down those burdens one at a time. EMDR has been extensively studied and continues to be studied, and consistently performs as the best way to treat and help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Studies have even shown that EMDR can outperform traditional medications like Prozac when it comes to treating trauma. If that doesn’t get your attention, I don’t know what will!
According to the brilliant minds of Maxfield (2019) and Van der Kolk et al. (2007), EMDR isn’t just a flash in the pan; it’s a proven psychotherapy method. People dealing with anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and a plethora of other distressing life experiences have found relief through EMDR.
When you think about it, isn’t it wild that a structured therapy that interacts with how we engage with our fears and stressful memories helps us to manage our emotional burdens effectively? If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by past experiences or find that your memories are haunting you, don’t hesitate to explore EMDR.
What to Expect with EMDR?
First, you will sit down with your therapist, and after some good conversations, you and your therapist agree that EMDR is the route to take. In those early sessions, you’ll define what you want to work on. It’s all about improving your ability to manage distress. Think of it as laying the foundation for your dream house. Once you’re ready, your therapist will help you focus on a specific event that troubles you. You’ll identify the negative images, emotions, and beliefs associated with that memory. Here’s the beautiful part: you’ll also recognize a positive belief that helps you acknowledge your strength, and you work towards resolving the fear, discomfort, and sadness associated with that memory. It’s all about transforming those painful memories into something manageable. As you dig into that memory, Southern Pine Counseling will guide you through sets of side-to-side eye movements, or taps, through what are called "sets". After each set, you’ll reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with your therapist. This is where the magic happens. You begin to see shifts in how you feel or think about the memory. You begin to recognize your strength and connect with the idea that you are in control, when in the past that moment felt completely out of control. You can hit pause at any moment if it feels overwhelming. The process continues until that event becomes less disturbing. EMDR is flexible and can be used alongside traditional therapy or on its own.
The Eight Phases of EMDR Therapy Treatment
Phase 1: History Taking and Treatment Planning
The first thing that happens when you attend an EMDR treatment session is that you provide your therapist with a comprehensive history. When you do this, you are giving your therapist the blueprints to the house you want to have built. You’ll identify the traumas you want to tackle, and your therapist will get to know you, including your strengths and areas for growth, and ensure that EMDR is the right fit at this time. You are making a roadmap for your healing journey.
Phase 2: Preparation
Like preparing for a trip, you need to prepare for EMDR. In this phase, your therapist explains how EMDR works. You’ll learn about the bilateral movements and other strategies that are needed in order for you to have success in completing your MDR therapy goals. This is your chance to ask questions and become comfortable with what’s ahead. Imagine having your favorite podcast at your fingertips. You should feel informed and empowered!
Phase 3: Assessment
Today is the big day! You and your therapist will explore the specific memories you wish to address. You begin by identifying negative beliefs tied to those experiences, like "I'm not safe, I cannot trust myself or anyone," and set positive beliefs to aim for, like "I am strong, I am capable." It allows you to have a jumping off point and hope when facing a difficult thing.
Phase 4: Desensitization
Here’s where the real action begins. You’ll start processing your targeted memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation. At Southern Pine Counseling, I typically use buzzies or tapping. As you focus on the memory, don’t be surprised if the feelings start to shift. It’s like finally taking the rocks out of your emotional backpack one at a time. They may be heavy, and it may be not easy at first, but soon, you’ll feel lighter.
Phase 5: Installation
Once the negative emotions start to fade, it’s time to bring in the positive. In this phase, you’ll reinforce those affirmations you’ve chosen, like a motivational hype session tailored just for you. Your therapist will guide you through the process of “installing” these positive beliefs, leaving you feeling empowered and equipped to take on the world.
Phase 6: Body Scan
Our bodies hold onto emotions, and our minds are like little pack rats hiding things in the smallest of places. That is why, during this phase, you’ll take a moment to check in with your body and identify any lingering tension or discomfort. By doing so, you ensure that all the little bits and pieces are sorted out, and there is nothing left lingering behind. By processing those physical sensations, you’ll clear out any residual emotional clutter, kind of like decluttering your closet.
Phase 7: Closure
As you are able to process each memory, a feeling of relief or release washes over you. When you get to this point, it is important to ground yourself and prepare yourself to re-enter the world. So you are confident and capable of continuing on with your day. Your therapist will help you utilize relaxation techniques to regain your center. It’s like having a debrief with your best friend after a rollercoaster date, taking stock of what just happened.
Phase 8: Reevaluation
Time to take a breath and look back at your progress. In your next session, you'll revisit those memories to see how you’re feeling. This is where you can assess how far you’ve come and what still needs some TLC. It’s like checking in with yourself after a few weeks and discussing, am I still haunted, or have I finally moved on? So there you have it! The eight phases of EMDR therapy treatment are not just a method; they’re your pathway to reclaiming your life. Think of it as a journey of self-discovery, where you’ll emerge on the other side stronger and ready to tackle whatever life throws at you. Embrace it, and remember, you’ve got this! Just like finding love, the road may be bumpy, but every step brings you closer to freedom. It's your time to shine!