EMDR is a highly structured, short-term therapy intervention that is useful for treating trauma and PTSD symptoms. While EMDR is considered a top-tier approach for the treatment of trauma, it has also been found effective in treating other problems including anxiety and mood disorders such as depression. EMDR is recognized by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the Department of Defense, the Veteran's Administration and insurance companies as an effective evidence-based form of treatment.

EMDR utilizes the natural healing ability of your body and mind. After a thorough assessment and development of a treatment plan, you will be asked specific questions about a particular disturbing memory. A headphone and/or a visual object will be used to gently activate the left and right hemispheres of the brain. We call this “bilateral stimulation” and this process is believed to replicate the neural patterns of the REM sleep phase, the phase of sleep when memories are naturally processed by the brain. Don’t worry, you are awake and in control during the entire process.

The sets of bilateral stimulation will last for a short while and then stop. You will then be asked to report back on the experiences you have had during each of these sets. Experiences during a session may include changes in thoughts, images and feelings. 
 
With repeated sets of bilateral stimulation, your experience of a memory tends to change in such a way that it loses its painful intensity and simply becomes a neutral memory of an event in the past, and associated negative beliefs tend to dissipate. Other associated memories may also heal at the same time. This linking of related memories can lead to a dramatic and rapid improvement in many aspects of your life.

I provide EMDR as part of ongoing and comprehensive therapy, as shorter-term standalone treatment to address a specific problem, or as an adjunct to your current work with another therapist. Please call or contact me using the form on this page if you would like to discuss whether EMDR might be helpful for you. If you would like to read more about EMDR please visit the website of EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) by following this link: What Is EMDR Therapy?

I also provide remote EMDR via video to those outside of Sonoma County. For remote EMDR I use a secure, HIPAA compliant, web-based service that’s simple to use. All you need is a decent internet connection, some privacy, and your mobile phone, PC or Mac.