EMDR Therapy in-person in Santa Monica and online across CA and WA.
Overcome the effects of trauma and reclaim the power to live your best life.
You don’t have to carry the weight of your trauma anymore.
Do you struggle with feeling disconnected from yourself, carrying the weight of past narratives, traumas or memories? Maybe you've been searching for a way forward to live your life and let go but it feels so overwhelming. You want to stop feeling disconnected and numb. You want to feel comfortable in your own skin and live with purpose.
You might be unaware of the anxiety and depression you experience as a result of your trauma - big or little, obvious or buried deep in the recesses of your mind.
Anxiety and depression might show up for you as…
Feeling continually overwhelmed, tired, numb or burned out
Difficulty functioning day to day, focusing and making decisions
Reliving trauma, whether from your past or in your day to day
Increased isolation and decreased engagement with people and things you once enjoyed
You don't have to be defined by your trauma.
EMDR Therapy Can help.
Trauma can cause changes in the brain's structure and function, but with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) the brain is able to reprocesses unresolved trauma or traumatic events to help you recover and heal. Healing from trauma allows you to embrace the present moment, connect with others authentically, and cultivate a sense of inner peace and resilience that empowers you to thrive.
EMDR can help you transform your traumatic experiences into something more positive and manageable.
During an EMDR session, you will be guided through your experiences in a safe and controlled way using bilateral brain stimulation. With bilateral stimulation your brain is able to process your traumatic memories in new way and reduce intense negative emotions associated with the trauma. You will learn to cope in a more adaptive way, and move forward with a sense of renewed hope and resilience.
EMDR can help with…
Sexual Trauma
Highly Sensitive People
Traumatic death of a loved one
Societal/Systemic microaggressions
Childhood/Familial/Generational Trauma/Abuse
Feelings of worthlessness, lacking self confidence
So how does EMDR work?
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There are 8 phases of EMDR that you will be guided through from start to finish. It’s a bit like traditional talk therapy in the beginning - building rapport, exploring your history and experiences, learning about your goals and the life you want to live. We'll explore positive and negative significant memories and collaborate to determine where to begin reprocessing.
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During preparation, you learn actionable ways to manage distressing emotions and memories. This may include relaxation exercises, deep breathing, guided imagery, and body scanning. You will have the opportunity to choose what exercises feel right for you to use during and in between sessions. These activities help support your process and ensure you're ready to do the work in a healing and safe way.
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Once you’re prepared you will move into the Resourcing Phase. In this phase you are building up the resources you need to help you process the difficult memories. The goal is to ensure you feel supported, safe and cared for. This is the feel good space where you tap into the good experiences and future visions you have for yourself. It’s like wrapping you in bubble wrap to secure you for the journey ahead.
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In the reprocessing and desensitization phase you identify which experience you want to focus on using bilateral stimulation to help you process the memory in a new way and reduce the intensity of associated emotions. Your only job is to notice what comes up in your emotions, thoughts, body sensations and beliefs. I'll be watching for external cues, but otherwise we sit back and let what I call "the magic" do it's thing.
It's not uncommon for some folks to worry if they're "doing it right" or question HOW this works, but ultimately, it can be a transformational experience when your memory changes and you really can't fuck this up. You are simply letting your brain do what it needs to do to heal. 😊
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In closure we'll ensure that you are in a stable and calm state before finishing the session. This is my job as your therapist and I'm here to make sure you feel supported and ready to move into the next part of your day.
Once you have been safely secured, we will reevaluate, reviewing your progress and identify any remaining issues that need to be addressed in future sessions or moving onto a new target.
EMDR can help you...
Experience Relief
Reduce overwhelm, decrease anxiety, build security within yourself and get relief from a history of intense emotions
Redefine Your Life
Gain new perspectives about your experiences and build useful tools that help you take action to lead the life you deserve
Build Connection
Create congruence between your inner self and outer expression, feeling confident to live your life authentically and connect with others free of fear