Somatic EMDR: Evidence-based, body connecting therapy for lasting healing
Somatic Attachment EMDR | EMDR Consultant, Orlando | Faith-Based EMDR | EMDR Intensives Orlando, FL
You are wondering if pain from your past is keeping you from thriving in the present…You have a suspicion, a feeling that there are deeper reasons why these patterns keep showing up.
When people find themselves stuck in cycles and/or are easily triggered, there is often a history of un-resolved trauma.
Trauma is not a logical impairment, it’s the body’s adaptive response to danger (or the perception of danger).
Trauma activates adaptive biological and neurological survival features; however, these adaptations often create their own issues and creates an overwhelming snow-ball effect that talk therapy alone is not able to properly resolve.
There is a highly researched, evidence based approach to trauma called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). EMDR that has been found effective in addressing PTSD and trauma.
This brain and body based approach helps the brain move through stuck places, thoughts, memories and body sensations. It important to feel trauma to release and heal it (which is different than just talking about the pain or reliving it!)
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an evidence-based therapy that is effective in addressing PTSD and trauma. This brain-based approach helps the brain move through stuck places, thoughts, memories, and body sensations by using eye movements (or tapping, pulsars, and other alternating stimuli). The EMDR International Association puts its this way, “the goal of EMDR therapy is to completely process the experiences that are causing problems, and to include new ones that are needed for full health.”
A brief overview on the EMDR process
There are eight phases to EMDR therapy. The first three phases will be gathering history and making sure you have the resources to move to the next phase. Phases four-seven are typically done in one session. They are about activating the brain, then calming it down and rewiring the body. Phase eight is re-evaluation which usually happens the session after a reprocessing session to check what changed between sessions, if something is still upsetting and then we move onto the next target (pain point, memory or lies).
EMDR is a body-mind-and spirit approach
This brain and body based approach helps the brain move through stuck places, thoughts, memories and body sensations. It important to feel trauma to release and heal it (which is different than just talking about the pain or reliving it!)
Speaking of spiritual connection. EMDR can use a client’s faith and spiritual beliefs as a strength and resource. This would be determined and discussed in the beginning stages of EMDR preparation and only incorporated IF a client identifies their faith as a positive resource.
My Christian clients often have new or deeper experiences with Jesus during EMDR. Personally, I have witnessed Christians have deep EMDR sessions in which they were able to connect the truths that they knew in their minds in a new way. In my own work (when I was the client), EMDR helped me heal in ways that allowed me to move forward trusting in God’s care and love more fully…I changed more after one round of EMDR than in the previous year of talk-therapy (that’s one of the reasons I am so passionate about this approach)!My clients who are not religious and not identify as Christians, often experience EMDR as a very spiritual experience.
Who can benefit from EMDR therapy?
I believe everyone that wants to grow can benefit from therapy. And that most people who want deep, holistic growth can benefit from EMDR (there are a few medical and clinical exceptions). EMDR is clinically proven to be effective in treating many issues including; PTSD, medical trauma around diagnoses and procedures, abuse (physical, emotional, spiritual, sexual, intimate partner), childhood neglect, attachment issues, birth trauma, adoption grief, as well as sports related injuries and anxiety.
I know EMDR sounds odd and strange. I have compiled a list of questions below to best answer and explain the process to you. I am currently accepting clients for EMDR Therapy Intensives. A Therapy Intensive is an accelerated form of therapy designed to help clients go deeper and get results faster. Instead of attending therapy one hour per week for a year, why not carve out a weekend or a week for Therapy Intensives? It’s a cutting-edge approach to help people feel better faster. No need for a weekly therapy appointment.
Somatic EMDR Therapy is available online for clients across Florida and Georgia.
Frequently Asked
EMDR
Questions
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This therapy, developed by Francine Shapiro in the 1980s, has been empirically studied and recommended by major health organizations worldwide for the treatment of trauma and PTSD. For further information including research articles & citations, please visit www.emdria.org for more
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Yes, EMDR can effectively be done virtually. You just need reliable internet and a device that is larger than phone. Tablets are ok, laptops and desktops are best. There are several ways to deliver EMDR online including eye movements, sounds, and self-tapping. I have been using virtual EMDR successfully for several years.
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I understand that “Eight Phases” can sound overwhelming and time-consuming. However, it’s not that bad and actually, we can often do phases 3-7 in one 90 minute session.
If you are looking to maximize your investment of time and resources, consider an EMDR intensive. Learn more here.
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No, you are fully aware and conscious during EMDR therapy sessions.
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Many of my EMDR clients are referred to me after having done other types of counseling work like talk therapy, cognitive therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral therapy. Yet they still feel limited in their present life. Those clients are often able to have a shorter preparation phase due to the resources they have learned in their past work.
Please know that we work together to utilize the skills that you have and decrease the time we need to spend in the preparation phase.
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The short answer is yes. We can use the EMDR approach with any sensory information (smell, sight, sound, taste or body sensation). Also, if there is a memory that you would rather (or not be able to not talk about), reprocessing is still possible.
For more information on this question, please see my previous blog post entitled, “When You Don’t Know What Went Wrong.”
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A Therapy Intensive is an accelerated form of therapy designed to help clients go deeper and get results faster.
Instead of attending therapy one hour per week for a year, why not carve out a weekend or a week for Therapy Intensives? It’s a cutting-edge approach to help people feel better faster. No need for a weekly therapy appointment.
In fact, many people think of Therapy Intensives like a retreat. For that weekend or week you can unplug, take time off work, get a babysitter, or even stay in a hotel. This time is completely dedicated to you so you can focus on healing, reflecting, and reconnecting.
Therapy intensives are available in-person in Orlando, Florida and online for clients across Florida and Georgia.