At its core, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy aims to help people process distressing, traumatic memories, reducing their long-term impact and allowing individuals to heal. It's based on the idea that certain eye movements can help our brain process these memories in a way that reduces their emotional impact.
Imagine your brain has a natural way of healing from emotional wounds. Sometimes, really upsetting events can block this healing process. EMDR aims to get that natural healing going again, focusing on the memory itself and changing the way it's stored in your brain. This means that while the memory doesn't disappear, it stops feeling so upsetting.
EMDR addresses the root - EMDR is a unique approach because it directly addresses the memory of the event, rather than just the symptoms or behaviors that come from the event. It’s a way of helping people deal with trauma by changing how traumatic memories are stored in the brain, making them less powerful and less distressing.
In EMDR, you'll recall the distressing event while doing specific eye movements guided by your therapist. This process is believed to help your brain work through the distressing memory and reduce its painful impact.
EMDR therapy happens in phases, starting with preparation where you'll learn some coping techniques. Then, you'll move on to recalling the distressing event while doing the eye movements or other bilateral stimulation (like tapping). This helps your brain reprocess the memory safely.
Alex and Laura are the core of our EMDR therapy services, each bringing over ten years of experience to the table. They earned their Master of Social Work degree from USC and completed their EMDR training through an EMDRIA-approved program. Before joining our team, they spent a decade working with various EMDR practices, gaining valuable experience in trauma therapy.
In our practice, Alex and Laura focus on what works best for each client, keeping things personalized and straightforward. They’re all about using their EMDR expertise to help you navigate through your healing process, providing support and guidance every step of the way.
Here’s an overview of what to expect when you choose to engage in EMDR therapy with us
Contact us with your therapy needs, availability, and insurance details. This information helps us match you with an ideal EMDR specialist.
You'll have a consultation with an EMDR therapist to discuss your needs and how EMDR can help, setting the stage for a personalized therapy approach.
Before starting, you'll review and complete informed consents to ensure you're fully informed about the therapy process.
Your therapist will prepare you for EMDR therapy, teaching coping mechanisms for emotional regulation before beginning the treatment. You and your therapist will identify traumatic memories to target and develop a tailored treatment plan, focusing on your therapy goals.
During EMDR sessions, you'll process traumatic memories through eye movements or bilateral stimulation, guided by your therapist, to lessen their emotional impact.
Post-session, we’ll evaluate your progress and plan forward, ensuring the therapy aligns with your healing journey.
While our clinic is based in San Diego, our EMDR therapy services extend to all individuals across California looking for professional support. Contact us today for a free consultation.
4283 El Cajon Blvd Suite 226, San Diego, CA 92105, United States
