EMDR Therapy:
a Somatic Approach
EMDR facilitates the digestion and metabolization of traumatic memories. Thus, freeing us from the debilitating effects of trauma and allowing us to live our lives fully and with ease.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is an evidence based somatic therapy that is used to treat trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, and loss. In EMDR, visual prompts, tactile stimulation, and sound are used to activate eye movement. This promotes bilateral stimulation of the brain, allowing for the desensitization and the reprocessing of traumatic memory. As a result, traumatic memories no longer activate the nervous system to respond as if the trauma were occurring in the present moment.
FLASH technique is a newer EMDR therapy developed in 2016. The aim is to decrease the distress of disturbing memories rapidly. Unlike EMDR, in FLASH technique the client engages in positive imagery rather than focusing on the disturbing memory. Originally the FLASH technique was developed in order to prepare one for EMDR by reducing emotional distress around specific memories. It has been shown that FLASH can be effective as a standalone intervention.
Typically, the events of our days are processed through REM, rapid eye movement, during sleep. When we wake up in the morning, we can remember an event from the previous day without feeling as if we are reliving it physically or emotionally. Traumatic memories differ in that they are not fully metabolized and are stored in our minds and bodies with an emotional charge. These traumas affect our everyday lives, as evidenced by fears, anxieties, worries, negative beliefs, and stress. EMDR and FLASH facilitate the digestion and metabolization of these memories, freeing us from the debilitating effects of trauma and allowing us to live our lives fully and with ease.
What to Expect
EMDR consists of eight phases:
- Phase 1: is the history taking and treatment planning phase. As in other forms of therapy, this is the time for therapist and client to get to know one another, establishing a relationship and gathering information through an intake.
- Phase 2: is the preparation phase. The client learns about EMDR and is offered tools to help soothe and calm the nervous system.
- Phase 3: is the assessment phase. In this phase the client and the therapist agree to work on a memory of a disturbing event and briefly discuss the event.
- Phase 4: is the desensitization phase. The client recalls the memory and through bilateral stimulation reduces the emotional charge around that memory.
- Phase 5: is the installation phase. The client will match an adaptive belief to the disturbing memory.
- Phase 6: is a body scan. In this phase, the client scans the body for any lingering tension of discomfort.
- Phase 7: is closure. The therapist will guide the client to a calm state in order to end the session.
- Phase 8: is reevaluation. In the following session the therapist will check in with the client identifying any changes in symptoms, behaviors or situation.
FLASH is similar to EMDR and follows many of the same phases. The client and therapist will determine which modality is best suited to meet the client’s needs.
An initial free phone consultation is required in order to make your first appointment.
Our EMDR Therapist
EDNA GRUVMAN
Licensed Creative Arts Therapist specializing in
EMDR Somatic Therapy
“Edna is a wonderful therapist! We worked together using EMDR and FLASH… two modalities that I was unfamiliar with. She was very thoughtful, caring and supportive.
I highly recommend Edna to anyone that is ready
to work through trauma.”
—Dara
Pricing
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$200 - 50min Session
($30 OFF your first session, sliding scale available)