EMDR Therapy San Diego, CA

Are you consumed by thoughts of painful old memories and past trauma?

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EMDR therapy can help you finally feel free from these negative feelings related to past trauma...

Have you experienced past trauma that is negatively affecting your present life? Do you have difficulty concentrating on day-to-day tasks because you are ruminating about the past? Perhaps you experience physical symptoms such as irritability, hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, or difficulty concentrating. Maybe you even replay these past memories, and experience negative beliefs about yourself and the world around you. You may realize that talking about your pain in therapy is not fixing the problem. Another scenario is that you may not have experienced anything too traumatic, but for some reason, traditional “talk therapy” just doesn’t seem to be doing the trick to help with your current struggles…

Many people experience trauma at some point in their lives.

In fact, 70% of adults in the United States have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives. One important characteristic that I like to touch on is the fact that “trauma” is a broad term, and what may have felt traumatic for one person maybe wasn’t traumatic for another. “Trauma” can encompass so many different scenarios, including witnessing a death, being in war combat, sexual abuse, losing a loved one, being in a serious accident, or even a break up! If it felt traumatic to you and still ails you today, then it could be considered trauma.

Who Is EMDR For?

Although traditional talk therapy can be very helpful for processing past traumatic memories, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) can help you heal in a way that goes beyond talk therapy. EMDR is a form of trauma treatment that helps the brain reprocess trapped memories that are causing you to experience current negative symptoms related to the past trauma. By reprocessing these events fully, it can help you to uncover and process beliefs that may have developed due to these experiences. It will also allow you to no longer be ailed by these intense and uncomfortable feelings when you think or talk about the past trauma. Though originally created as a treatment for trauma, EMDR therapy has proven be useful for treatment in the following conditions:

Even if you haven’t experienced any of the symptoms above, EMDR can still be helpful if you feel distressing emotions that may appear to be excessive given the current situation. If you tend to be highly reactive to certain triggers or hold dysfunctional/negative beliefs about yourself and the world, you may still be a good candidate for EMDR.

EMDR Therapy Can Help

Even if you have experienced trauma, the good news is that EMDR can help. EMDR therapy can help you in a way that traditional talk therapy cannot by accessing the brain on more of an unconscious level. For some individuals that have experienced trauma, talking about the past traumatic event can be very difficult and triggering — possibly even re-traumatizing. One of the best parts about EMDR is that you, as the client, do not even need to tell me all of the specific details of your past trauma (unless of course you want to). In an EMDR session, I can still help you target and address the past traumatic events without having to discuss details that may make you feel even worse in that moment. Though I believe that discussing trauma in-depth can also be incredibly therapeutic and healing, every client is different and those that have a diagnosis of PTSD may do even better to start with EMDR before diving into specific details. I have utilized EMDR treatment to successfully help trauma survivors heal from a variety of trauma, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and more in multiple treatment settings.

Some benefits of seeing an EMDR therapist include:

What Does an EMDR Session Look Like?

EMDR therapy is an integrative therapy technique called bilateral stimulation to activate opposite sides of the brain. EMDR therapists activate the bilateral stimulation through various techniques such as eye movements, tapping, or lights. There is a systemic way to do EMDR correctly, so you want to be sure that you find a therapist that is trained in the proper technique. I will provide you with the necessary tools to prepare for the EMDR session, guide you through the EMDR session, and also show you ways to continue to practice coping skills and self-care between therapy sessions.

Visit the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) website for more information about EMDR research and therapy.

Why Book an EMDR Session with Me?

I was trained in EMDR through an EMDRIA-accredited trainer. I have successfully used EMDR with many clients in various treatment settings and for many of the conditions listed above. Clients have stated that they felt better after even one session, and significantly better after a few in a row! I have also had clients tell me that EMDR therapy allowed them to finally let go of negative limiting beliefs that had been holding them back in their lives, thus increasing their overall self-esteem.

Not only have I utilized EMDR with many different clients, but I have used it in various treating settings including residential treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals, school settings, outpatient clinics, and private practice. In addition to these various treatment experiences, I also utilize mindfulness and breathing techniques that I have learned through my training as a Registered Yoga Teacher. This provides a unique blend of standardized EMDR treatment intertwined with relaxing strategies to help clients feel comfortable during and after session.

Are you ready to say goodbye to your distressing trauma?

Contact me to schedule a 15 minute phone consultation and see if EMDR therapy in San Diego is right for you!

My Standard Rate is $200 Per Session (50 Minutes)

As an out-of-network provider, I have partnered with Mentaya to help my clients save money on therapy. Use the out of network benefits calculator to see if you qualify for reimbursement for my services. Learn more about my rates and insurance.

You may have some questions about seeing an EMDR therapist...

Can EMDR be harmful or dangerous?

EMDR therapy is generally considered to be safe, and not harmful or dangerous. If you experience any EMDR side effects at all, they may include light-headedness or heightened emotions/physical sensations after the session. If you experience this, it should subside over time as the memories become less intense. EMDR may be contraindicated in those with certain health conditions, and this is something I discuss with clients to ensure that it is a good fit before we begin.

Is EMDR therapy like being hypnotized?

EMDR is similar to hypnosis in the way that it brings up unconscious feelings, sensations, emotions, and thoughts. However, you are fully awake and present during the entire EMDR session.

How do I prepare for an EMDR session?

I work closely with all of my clients before beginning any EMDR sessions to help them feel prepared. The first couple of sessions will consist of you telling me more about your presenting issues and what you would like to resolve through EMDR therapy. We review the consent form together and make sure you fully understand the process. Then, I teach you grounding skills that we practice in session and that you can also practice in between sessions to aid in relaxation and emotional regulation. I will guide you through the entire EMDR session; you can just sit back and follow my lead.

I’m not sure if I have experienced trauma...will EMDR therapy still help me?

EMDR therapy can be helpful for you even if you have not experienced a severe trauma. Research has shown that EMDR can be helpful for a variety of other conditions including anxiety disorders, eating disorders, addiction, and more. If you find yourself feeling disproportionately heightened distress often regarding daily situations, this could also be an indication that seeing an EMDR therapist could be helpful. EMDR can also help with depression and low self-esteem, as it can allow you to release negative and limiting beliefs about yourself and the world.

Will EMDR treatment work for me?

Though you will never truly know if EMDR treatment will work for you without trying it, research has shown EMDR to be highly effective. Especially if you have tried traditional talk therapy and you feel that you are not seeing the results you would like, EMDR treatment could be a great alternative and/or adjunct to talk therapy. I refer to EMDR as a great option for those that are feeling “stuck” in their daily lives and are looking to keep moving forward, but having difficulty doing so.

Symptoms and Disorders That EMDR Treatment Is Used For:

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - A condition in which a person has difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Some symptoms may include feelings of distress, physical reminders of trauma (nausea, sweating, pounding heart), intrusive thoughts and memories, flashbacks, nightmares, feeling emotionally detached, loss of interest in life and daily activities, and avoidance of specific events/feelings that serve as a reminder of the traumatic event.
Trauma - Even if you do not meet the full criteria for PTSD (above), EMDR can also be incredibly helpful for individuals that have experienced any type of trauma throughout their lives.
Childhood Trauma - EMDR can also be very helpful for individuals that may have experienced trauma during their childhood. EMDR Therapy has the ability to help you process difficult past events, no matter how long ago they occurred. Processing traumatic events from your childhood can be incredibly helpful, as they may be having a negative impact on your current life and worldview without you even consciously realizing it!

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - A condition in which an individual experiences excessive worry about a number of different things (personal health, work, relationships, finances, etc) most days, for at least 6 months. The fear and anxiety can cause significant problems in areas of their life including work, social relationships, and more.
Other Specified Anxiety Disorder - Symptoms of an anxiety disorder cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning but do not meet the full criteria for another anxiety disorder diagnosis.
Panic Attack - Heart palpitations, sweating, trembling or shaking, shortness of breath, feelings of impending doom.
Specific Phobia - Marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation (i.e. flying, heights, spiders, receiving an injection).
Eating Disorders - Eating disorders are characterized by a persistent disturbance of eating-related behaviors that results in the altered consumption or absorption of food and that significantly impairs physical health or psychosocial functioning. Eating disorders can negatively impact an individual’s physical health, relationships, work/school functioning, and overall self-esteem.

EMDR Therapy in San Diego, CA

If you’re ready to overcome your trauma and learn more about EMDR treatment, please use the button above or call (619) 800-5393 for a free 15 minute phone consultation.

Self emBody Therapy
EMDR, Eating Disorders, Anxiety
5330 Carroll Canyon Rd Suite 120,
San Diego, CA 92121
(619) 800-5393

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