Rockland County Counseling is now Embrace Psychotherapy!
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EMDR THERAPY
You don't have to keep reliving something in order to know it still affects you. Sometimes a past experience continues to show up in your thoughts, emotions, relationships, or reactions long after the event itself is over.
Embrace now offers Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based approach that can help individuals process traumatic and distressing experiences. EMDR may be helpful for people who feel stuck in the effects of something they've experienced, whether that experience happened recently or years ago.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, commonly known as EMDR, is a structured therapy approach designed to help the brain process distressing memories and experiences.
When something overwhelming happens, the memory may continue to feel emotionally or physically present even after the situation has passed. You might know logically that you're safe now, while your body or nervous system continues to react as though the experience is happening again.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or other forms of alternating stimulation, while you focus on aspects of a distressing memory. The goal is not to erase the memory or make you forget what happened. Instead, EMDR can help reduce the intensity of the emotional and physical reactions connected to the experience so that it feels less disruptive in your life.
What can EMDR help with?
EMDR is commonly used when people are dealing with the effects of traumatic or distressing experiences. Depending on your circumstances and your clinician's assessment, EMDR may be considered for concerns such as:
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Traumatic or highly distressing experiences
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Post-traumatic stress symptoms
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Anxiety connected to past experiences
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Intrusive memories or images
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Nightmares or distressing dreams
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Strong emotional or physical reactions to reminders of the past
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Feelings of guilt, shame, fear, or helplessness connected to an experience
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Difficult experiences that continue to affect relationships or daily life
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Childhood or developmental trauma
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Grief or other overwhelming life experiences
EMDR isn't limited to one type of trauma. Your clinician will work with you to determine whether this approach makes sense for what you're experiencing.
What to expect
What your first session looks like
Your first appointment will typically focus on getting to know you and understanding what brings you to therapy. Your clinician may ask about your history, current symptoms, experiences that continue to affect you, and what you'd like to be different.
EMDR processing does not necessarily begin during the first appointment. Depending on your needs, your clinician may first focus on establishing a foundation for therapy and making sure you have strategies for managing difficult emotions between sessions.
Once you're ready, your clinician will explain each stage of the EMDR process before beginning. You remain an active participant throughout treatment, and you can communicate with your clinician about what you're experiencing at any point.
Some people notice changes relatively quickly, while others need more time and preparation. There is no set number of sessions that applies to everyone.
Is EMDR right for you?
EMDR may be a good fit if you feel that a past experience continues to affect you even though you want to move forward. You don't need to have one specific traumatic event or be able to explain exactly why you're struggling.At the same time, EMDR isn't automatically the right approach for every person or every situation. Your clinician will consider your current circumstances, treatment goals, history, and readiness before recommending trauma processing.
You don't have to decide whether EMDR is right for you before reaching out. An initial conversation can help you understand your options and determine what type of treatment may be most appropriate.
Fees and insurance
Standard and extended sessions may be available depending on each person’s clinical needs. Insurance coverage varies by plan, and optional 90-minute EMDR intensives may be available on a self-pay basis. Please contact us to discuss availability, insurance benefits, and fees.
Common questions
Do I have to talk about everything that happened to me for EMDR to work?
No. EMDR is not simply about repeatedly talking through a traumatic experience. Your clinician will guide you through a structured process and determine what information is clinically relevant to your treatment. You will also have opportunities to communicate what feels manageable for you.
Will EMDR make me forget what happened?
No. The goal of EMDR is not to erase memories. Instead, treatment aims to help you process the experience so that the memory is less emotionally or physically disruptive. You may still remember what happened, but it may no longer feel as overwhelming or present.
Is EMDR only for PTSD?
No. EMDR is often associated with trauma and PTSD, but clinicians may use EMDR-informed approaches for a range of distressing experiences and symptoms. Whether it is appropriate depends on your individual circumstances and treatment goals.
What is an EMDR intensive?
An EMDR intensive is a longer therapy session that allows more time for focused EMDR work. Embrace may offer optional 90-minute intensives on a self-pay basis. Whether an intensive is appropriate depends on your clinical needs and clinician availability.
Ready to take the next step?
You don't have to know exactly what kind of therapy you need before reaching out. If you're wondering whether EMDR could be a good fit for what you're experiencing, we can help you talk through your options.
Contact Embrace to discuss EMDR availability, insurance benefits, standard or extended sessions, and optional 90-minute intensives.