COVID ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to COVID-19 I am currently seeing all patients via online / telehealth appointments. Learn more about online therapy for California residents.

Online EMDR Therapy for California Residents

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

Online 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…

It is common to experience trauma at some point in your life.

EMDR Online Treatment California Man Experiencing PTSD Trauma 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, online Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can help you heal in a way that goes beyond talk therapy. EMDR 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 has proven be useful for treatment in the following conditions:

Even if you haven’t experienced any of the symptoms above, virtual 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 therapy online. With all that is going on in the world with the COVID-19 pandemic currently, you may even feel worried to leave your home. Online EMDR makes it easily accessible to receive help from the comfort of your own home.

EMDR Therapy Online Can Help

EMDR Therapy Online California Virtual EMDR Women Looking at Screen Even if you have experienced trauma, the good news is that EMDR can help. 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. Online EMDR therapy can help you in a way that traditional talk therapy cannot by accessing the brain on more of an unconscious level. I have utilized EMDR treatment to successfully help trauma survivors heal from trauma, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and more in a variety of treatment settings.

Some Benefits of EMDR Online Include:

What Does an EMDR Online Session Look Like?

Online EMDR therapy is an integrative therapy technique called bilateral stimulation to activate opposite sides of the brain. Therapists activate the bilateral stimulation through various techniques such as eye movements, tapping, or lights. There is a systemic way to do virtual 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 online EMDR session, guide you through the session, and also show you ways to continue to practice coping skills and self-care between therapy sessions. Studies have shown that EMDR is effective online and does not need to be in-person in order to offer results.

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

Why Book an Online EMDR Session with Me?

Self emBody Therapy - Sarah Lawley Chernick, LMFT Headshot - San Diego, CA 92109 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 online 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. Clients have enjoyed doing EMDR in an online setting, seeing as they feel even more comfortable opening up from within their own home.

Not only have I utilized EMDR with many different clients, but I have used it in various treating settings. 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 online EMDR Therapy is right for you!

My Standard Rate is $250 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 online EMDR therapist...

EMDR 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.

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 online EMDR session.

I work closely with all of my clients before beginning any virtual 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 virtual EMDR. 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 (from the comfort of your own home) and that you can also practice in between sessions to aid in relaxation and emotional regulation. I will guide you through the entire online EMDR session; you can just sit back and follow my lead.

EMDR online 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 EMDR therapist online could be helpful. Online 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.

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 online could be a great alternative and/or adjunct to talk therapy. I refer to online EMDR treatment 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.

Studies have shown that online EMDR is effective and does not need to be in-person in order to offer results. We can still have the same conversations prior to starting the online EMDR session that we would in an office, and I will teach you to utilize the same coping skills as well. Some people even find EMDR online to be more effective, as they do not have the added stress of a commute, traffic, or current heightened social distancing rules.

The cost of a virtual EMDR session is the same as it would be for an in-person session. My fee is $150 for a 50 minute therapy session.

Symptoms and Disorders That Online EMDR Treatment Is Used For:

EMDR Therapy Online for California Residents

If you’re ready to overcome your trauma and learn more about my services for online EMDR sessions, 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