No. No going off the deep end is required. In fact, if EMDR is a right fit for you, the technique is designed to cut down the reliving of any trauma because it was designed to cut down the amount of talking. There’s a lot of preparation involved and the decision to move forward is based on your comfort. We will collaborate to ensure you always feel ok in the process and during the process, you are always in control so we can stop at any time if it does feel like too much.

We may begin with talk-based trauma therapy, where gaining insights can be enough to progress. Understanding how you've protected yourself and learning different ways to relate to yourself and your surroundings in a way that feels empowering is a sign that therapy is effective.

At times, we transition to EMDR once we have a solid understanding of you. EMDR tends to be most effective when clients are fully motivated and committed, often emphasizing the importance of a trusting therapeutic relationship. Talk-based therapy helps establish this relationship and enhances the effectiveness of EMDR.

In EMDR therapy, we begin with resourcing to equip you with skills to manage distressing feelings, thoughts, and sensations both in and out of therapy, typically taking 2-3 sessions or longer for complex trauma. During an EMDR session, we focus on a challenging negative belief while tapping or using audio and tactile pulsars to stimulate bilateral brain activity. You then focus on the associated memory without censorship, in a stream-of-consciousness manner, with the therapist acting as a facilitator. The aim is to help you process emotions fully, bridging the gap between understanding emotional blocks and your body's ability to move forward with reduced fear, fostering belief in your ability to navigate life without old defenses.

For Recent Trauma or Loss

EMDR intensive sessions are short-term, problem-focused, and designed to address critical incidents, which are defined as traumas that have occurred within the past three months. Research supports the use of EMDR to treat recent trauma, as early intervention can help prevent the onset of PTSD. These extended sessions provide uninterrupted time to process the trauma effectively, often resolving it in just 3-4 sessions. This approach promotes rapid relief and supports a clear path to healing.

For Negative Beliefs

EMDR intensives can also help if you’re struggling with negative beliefs that interfere with your daily life, such as feelings of unworthiness, self-doubt, or fear of failure. These sessions allow us to uncover and transform these beliefs into more positive and empowering perspectives. By focusing deeply and efficiently, you can experience