Question 1

What is EMDR?

Accepted Answer

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps people heal from the emotional distress caused by traumatic memories, as well as other challenging or distressing life experiences.

Question 2

Why and How Does EMDR Work?

Accepted Answer

The effectiveness of EMDR is understood through the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which suggests that our brains are naturally wired to process and integrate information in a way that promotes health and well-being. However, when we experience trauma or other distressing events, this natural processing can get disrupted, causing memories to become "stuck" in the brain's emotional center, located in the back of the brain (often referred to as the limbic system). These stuck memories retain their original emotional charge and can continue to cause distress long after the event.

EMDR helps by facilitating the reprocessing of these memories, allowing them to be integrated into the brain’s broader neural networks. This process helps to reduce the emotional intensity of the memory and integrate it into a more balanced, adaptive understanding. Essentially, EMDR enables the brain to resume its natural healing process.

Question 3

Bilateral Stimulation: The Key to Reprocessing- How Does it Work?

Accepted Answer

During EMDR, I’ll use bilateral stimulation (BLS), such as guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This alternating stimulation is thought to aid in reprocessing distressing material in several ways:

• Facilitating Dual Awareness: BLS helps you maintain awareness of both the distressing memory or experience and the present moment, which can reduce the emotional intensity.
 • Calming the Nervous System: BLS can help soothe your nervous system, making it easier to process difficult emotions.
 • Identifying True Information: Research suggests that BLS might help you identify and integrate more adaptive, true information about yourself and your experiences, leading to a more positive and accurate understanding.

Through this process, EMDR helps your brain heal from the effects of trauma, as well as other emotionally challenging experiences, much like how the body heals from physical injuries.

Question 4

What Issues Can EMDR Target?

Accepted Answer

EMDR can be effective for a wide range of issues. I provide EMDR intensives to treat concerns including but not limited to:

• Trauma and PTSD: Healing from traumatic events, whether recent or from the distant past.
 • Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Reducing the intensity and frequency of anxiety symptoms.
 • Depression: Addressing underlying issues that contribute to feelings of depression.
 • Phobias: Alleviating irrational fears and the emotional response to specific triggers.
 • Reproductive Trauma, Infertility and Loss: Processing the emotional pain associated with reproductive trauma, infertility and loss.
 • Anger Management: Helping to control and understand feelings of anger.
 • Stress and Overwhelm: Managing stress and reducing its impact on your life.
 • Unwanted Coping Patterns: Addressing the emotional roots of maladaptive coping behaviors.
 • Self-Esteem Issues: Improving self-worth and addressing negative beliefs about yourself.
 • Relationship Issues: Processing emotional wounds from relationships and improving relational patterns.
 • Performance Anxiety: Enhancing performance in sports, public speaking, or other areas by addressing underlying anxieties.
 • Adult Survivors of Childhood Bullying: Processing emotional wounds and negative beliefs that stem from bullying and emotional abuse.

Question 5

What Are EMDR Intensive Sessions?

Accepted Answer

EMDR Intensives are extended therapy sessions lasting about 3 hours. This format allows for a more in-depth exploration of your concerns, giving you the time and space to work through difficult memories, emotions, or other distressing material in a single, focused session.

Unlike traditional therapy sessions that are typically 50-60 minutes long, EMDR Intensives provide a continuous block of time that can lead to faster and more comprehensive healing. This can be especially beneficial if you’re looking to address specific issues quickly or if your schedule doesn’t allow for regular weekly sessions.

Question 6

Who Can Benefit from EMDR Intensives?

Accepted Answer

EMDR Intensive Sessions can be beneficial if you:

• Are struggling with traumatic memories, distressing life events, or unresolved emotional issues.
 • Want to make significant progress in a short period of time.
 • Have a busy schedule that makes regular therapy difficult.
 • Are preparing for or recovering from a major life event 
 • Have previously done EMDR and want to work through additional memories or issues.

Before starting, I’ll conduct a thorough assessment to make sure this format is right for you.

Question 7

What to Expect in an EMDR Intensive Session?

Accepted Answer

Here’s what a typical EMDR Intensive Session with me looks like:

• Getting Started: Establishing Safety and Stability
Your well-being is my top priority. I begin each session with grounding exercises to help you feel calm and present. This might include deep breathing, mindfulness techniques, or connecting with a mental “safe place.” These practices ensure you’re in a stable, comfortable state before we dive into the deeper work.

• Deep Processing: The Core of the Session
Once you’re ready, we’ll begin the core EMDR work. Together, we’ll identify the specific memory, emotion, or issue you’d like to focus on. Using bilateral stimulation (like guided eye movements), I’ll help your brain process the memory or distressing material, reducing its emotional intensity and reframing how you think about it.

This phase of the session is where the most intensive work happens. Because of the extended session length, we can thoroughly explore and process the memory or issue, allowing you to make significant progress. I’ll also take breaks as needed to ensure you stay comfortable and grounded.

• Winding Down: Ensuring You Leave Feeling Secure
After we’ve done the deep processing work, we’ll spend time helping you wind down. I’ll review what we’ve accomplished during the session and discuss any insights or changes you’ve noticed. We’ll also use containment techniques to ensure that any unresolved feelings are securely “put away” until you’re ready to address them.

Before you leave, we’ll revisit the grounding exercises to ensure you’re feeling stable and calm. I’ll also discuss any helpful practices you can do at home, like journaling or mindfulness exercises, to support your continued healing.

• After Your Session: Healing doesn’t stop when you leave my office. 
I’ll check in with you within a day or two after the session to see how you’re feeling and to address any questions or concerns. We’ll also plan for any follow-up sessions, whether it’s another intensive or a regular session, to ensure that the progress you’ve made is fully integrated.

Question 8

Does Insurance Cover EMDR Intensives?

Accepted Answer

Please note that most insurance companies do not cover EMDR Intensive sessions. These sessions are generally considered out-of-network and are not typically reimbursed as they exceed the standard therapy session length of 50-60 minutes. However, you may be able to use your out-of-network benefits for the first hour of the EMDR intensive, depending on your specific insurance plan. To assist with this, I can provide you with a superbill (an itemized receipt) for the first hour of the session, which you can submit to your insurance company for potential partial reimbursement. It's important to contact your insurance provider to understand your benefits and any reimbursement policies for out-of-network services.

Question 9

What is the Cost?

Accepted Answer

The rate for EMDR Intensive sessions is $600 for a 3-hour session. This includes not only the therapy itself but also a brief check-in a few days after the session to monitor your progress and address any concerns that may arise.

The rate for a regular EMDR session is $175 for a 55-minute session.

Question 10

Why EMDR Intensives are More Expensive?

Accepted Answer

EMDR Intensives are priced higher than regular therapy sessions due to several key factors:

1. Focused and Intensive Work: Unlike traditional therapy, where progress is made gradually over weeks or months, EMDR intensives allow for deep, concentrated work within a short period. This can lead to faster and more substantial progress, which is reflected in the cost.
2. Extended Session Length: EMDR Intensives require large blocks of time, during which I devote my full attention to your therapeutic process without the interruption of other sessions. This uninterrupted time allows us to delve deeply into your concerns. 
3. Preparation and Follow-Up: Each intensive session involves significant preparation beforehand and follow-up afterward. This includes reviewing your history, preparing customized treatment plans, and providing post-session support to ensure the best outcomes. 
4. Specialized Skill and Expertise: EMDR is a highly specialized form of therapy, requiring specific training and expertise. The intensive nature of these sessions demands an even higher level of skill, which is reflected in the pricing. By choosing an EMDR Intensive, you are investing in a focused and accelerated path to healing, which can often achieve results more quickly than traditional weekly sessions.