Go beyond traditional talk therapy.

EMDR Therapy for Adults in Arizona and Wyoming.

You’ve tried everything you can think of to feel better, but nothing’s sticking.

You may have attended years of talk therapy and have done everything your therapist recommended - or - you tried to feel better on your own, doing physical activities, growing spiritually, and accepting the support of friends and family…..

But you’re still feeling…

  • As if the event occurred not long ago, even though it happened months or years ago..

  • So much anxiety has built up that it becomes challenging to function effectively in daily life.

  • Like it's your fault, that you should have acted differently, and that you'll never feel better, even though none of this is true.

  • Resentment, anger, and an overwhelming inability to move forward.

  • Troubled even though life seems good.

Specialties

  • Trauma

    EMDR can be beneficial for those who have experienced single and complex traumatic events, regardless of the magnitude.

  • First Responders

    EMDR for First responders, including EMT/Paramedic, law enforcement, fire fighters, emergency department personnel, and crime scene investigators.

    Active military and Veterans.

  • Chronic Pain

    EMDR is successful in reducing the physical and psychological symptoms of pain, regardless of whether the source of the pain is known or unknown.

  • General Distress

    EMDR is useful in treating common mental health problems and general psychological distress.

“I've witnessed how EMDR helps my clients heal and improves their lives. It’s truly an honor to watch.”

  • EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms.

    Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, they may not be processed without help.

    Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create an overwhelming feeling of being back in that moment, or of being “frozen in time.” EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.

  • EMDR therapy has eight phases. Not all sessions involve bilateral stimulation (BLS), especially the early ones. However, these initial phases are essential and should not be overlooked. Just because eye movement isn’t used in the beginning doesn’t mean you haven’t started EMDR.

    The first several sessions include information gathering and preparation. EMDR is emotionally taxing, and we want to ensure that you have the resources and skills to manage distress.

    When ready to proceed, the client will concentrate on a specific event, exploring the related negative image, belief, emotion, and physical sensation, followed by a positive belief indicating progress.

    While the client reflects on the event, the therapist will use side-to-side movements, sounds, or taps. After each set, the client will be encouraged to acknowledge any thoughts or changes that arise. The client has the option to pause the process at any time. This cycle of movements, sounds, or taps will continue until the event feels less troubling.

    Be prepared for mental and physical exhaustion after sessions. Have an "after therapy" plan, like resting or watching your favorite show. Clients often experience prolonged agitation or sadness and psychosomatic (physical) pains that can last minutes to days post-session. If you have physical symptoms, inform your physician before starting EMDR therapy. Generally, physical symptoms decrease as therapy progresses. Use the TICES log provided by your therapist to track symptoms.

  • EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals recover from emotional pain that may be caused by particularly upsetting life events. This innovative therapy can effectively lessen the emotional and physical effects associated with trauma, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and various other distressing symptoms that individuals may experience. Through the structured process of EMDR, clients can find relief and begin to heal from their past experiences.

At the end of the day…

I want to create a supportive environment for your EMDR journey. EMDR is different from talk therapy; you don't need to share your entire story to find healing.

EMDR is challenging, transformative, and worth it!

“Therapy can’t change the past, but it can change how we feel about it.”

Is EMDR the right fit for you?

EMDR therapy can help you process traumatic memories, lessen their emotional impact, and reduce their ability to provoke anxiety in the present.

EMDR therapy might be a good fit for you if you are currently experiencing significant distress stemming from a traumatic memory or event, are able to tolerate and manage strong emotions, and are actively looking for a targeted and effective approach to processing those challenging experiences; however, it is important to note that EMDR may not be suitable for everyone, particularly for individuals who are dealing with complex trauma or those who have unstable mental health conditions.

Keep in mind that while EMDR might not currently be a good fit for you in your therapeutic journey, this doesn't necessarily mean that it will never be a suitable option for you in the future. There are certainly times when traditional talk therapy is utilized effectively before engaging in EMDR. This approach can help you gain a deeper understanding of your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, creating a solid foundation for future therapeutic techniques while also ensuring both your mental and physical safety during the process.

What you’ll gain

With EMDR, you can…

  • Strengthen internal resources while soothing parts of you that feel limited.

  • Resolve relationship difficulties by repairing unmet developmental needs.

  • Intercept pain where it starts: the brain.

  • Reduce distress in the nervous system and trouble with emotional functioning.

  • Recover from chronic or ongoing stressful conditions, such as interpersonal conflict, difficult parents, and financial and employment stress.

  • Process traumas such as major car accidents, assaults, natural disasters

Get in touch

Change is possible.

Click this link to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

  • Unfortunately, this is not possible to say on a general website page. Everyone’s circumstances are unique, and the length of time counseling can take to allow you to accomplish all of your goals depends on your desire for personal development, your commitment, and the factors that are driving you to seek counseling in the first place.

    • Some studies show that 84-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have PTSD after only 3 sessions.

    • Another study found that 100% of the single trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims were no longer diagnosed with PTSD after only 6 sessions.

    • In another study, 77% of combat veterans were free from PTSD in 12 sessions.

    • Seven of 10 studies reported EMDR therapy to be more rapid and/or more effective than trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. 

    • EMDR is now recognized as an effective form of treatment for trauma and other disturbing experiences by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization, and the Department of Defense

    • Twenty-four randomized controlled trials support the positive effects of EMDR therapy in the treatment of emotional trauma and other adverse life experiences relevant to clinical practice. 

    • Twelve randomized studies of the eye movement component noted rapid decreases in negative emotions and/or vividness of disturbing images, with an additional 8 reporting a variety of other memory effects. 

    • Numerous other evaluations document that EMDR therapy provides relief from a variety of somatic complaints. 

    • EMDR is effective for people not diagnosed with PTSD as well but are still impacted by painful memories and chronic pain.

Bridge the gap from pain to peace

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Bridge the gap from pain to peace —