Now accepting new clients for weekly individual therapy in Carlsbad, CA
EMDR is proving to be the silicon chip of psychotherapy; it allows people to process incredible amounts of material in a shockingly short time."
Dr. Michael Elkin, Ph.D
EMDR 101
EMDR 101
✔ EMDR is an evidence-based therapy – It is backed by extensive research and recognized by organizations like the APA and WHO as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD.
✔ EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is an integrated, 8-phase therapeutic approach that consider's a person's somatic (physical) and emotional states, with a focus on how the brain perceives events.
✔ It works with your brain’s natural healing process – EMDR helps reprocess distressing memories, allowing your brain to integrate them in a way that reduces their emotional intensity.
✔ Bilateral stimulation is key – Eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues help activate both sides of the brain to facilitate healing.
✔ You don’t have to talk in detail about your trauma – Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses on processing emotions and body sensations without requiring you to relive painful experiences.
✔ Relief can be fast – Some people feel significant improvement in just a few sessions, while deeper issues may take longer to work through.
✔Your brain continues healing between sessions – EMDR stimulates adaptive processing, meaning changes can keep happening even after your session ends.
✔ Builds Emotional Resilience – Strengthens your ability to manage stress, navigate challenges, and feel more in control of your emotions.
✔ EMDR is not just for PTSD – It’s also effective for anxiety, phobias, depression, chronic stress, grief, low self-esteem, and performance enhancement.
✔ EMDR helps Shift Negative Beliefs – EMDR not only reduces distress but also replaces negative thought patterns with more adaptive empowering ones.
Fun Facts About EMDR Therapy
🧐 Discovered by Accident – EMDR was discovered in 1987 by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro when she noticed that moving her eyes from side to side seemed to reduce the intensity of distressing thoughts.
👀 Engages Both Sides of the Brain – EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or tones) to activate both hemispheres of the brain, helping process stuck memories.
👮♂️Used by the Military & First Responders – EMDR is widely used to help veterans, police officers, firefighters, and other first responders process traumatic experiences.
🌍Used Worldwide – EMDR is recognized by major organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA) as an effective treatment for trauma.
🧠 Your Brain Does the Healing – EMDR taps into your brain’s natural ability to heal itself, much like how your body heals a physical wound.
⏳Can Lead to Rapid Results – Some people experience significant relief in just a few sessions, making EMDR an efficient therapy for trauma and emotional distress.
✏️ No Homework Required – Unlike some therapy approaches, EMDR doesn’t require journaling or extensive assignments between sessions—your brain does the work during the sessions and continues the healing between sessions.
⚽ Can Improve Performance & Creativity – Many athletes, performers, and professionals use EMDR to overcome mental blocks, reduce anxiety, and enhance their performance.
