EMDR Therapist Denver
Takeaway: When we experience trauma or disturbing events, we can be left feeling distressed, stuck, and other uncomfortable emotions. While this can often feel frustrating and defeating, there is hope. Working with an EMDR therapist in Denver can help you make sense of your experiences and reprocess them with a fresh lens.
What is EMDR?
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (better known as EMDR) is a form of therapy that's different from traditional talk therapy. In EMDR therapy, your therapist will lead you through bilateral stimulation techniques to help your brain shift how it reacts to traumatic memories and triggers. Trauma is any past experience that someone identifies as negative and negatively affects them currently.
Bilateral stimulation involves activating both the brain and body. Common techniques in EMDR therapy include tapping, eye movements, or audible sounds. Your therapist will guide you through the techniques to see which one works best for you.
Unlike other forms of therapy, EMDR therapy helps you feel better without having to share all the details about the traumatic events you've lived through. Instead, you think of the memory in your mind while you engage in bilateral stimulation techniques and reprocess the experience. You will not be alone during this, your therapist will be there checking in with you constantly.
While EMDR was initially developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it can also be used to help people with a wide range of other mental health issues. According to the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), EMDR therapy can help with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, addiction, chronic pain, and more.
*EMDR therapy is not for everyone so it’s important that you and your therapist discuss whether or not it would be a good fit for you before proceeding.
What can I expect from the EMDR process?
EMDR therapy helps activate the brain’s inherent system to process and incorporate information that got locked and stored. By recognizing and processing stuck memories, symptoms may decrease and lead to less distress. EMDR Therapy does not erase memories but it allows someone to remember the event without the intense emotions that were disturbing or distressing them.
EMDR treatment is a structured process that consists of eight different phases. Each stage may take a different amount of time depending on your unique situation and goals. However, EMDR therapy tends to follow the same structure. Here's an overview of what you can expect.
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During this stage of treatment, your trauma therapist will ask you questions about yourself and your history. You'll explain what symptoms are currently bothering you, and you'll work together with your therapist to make a treatment plan.
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Once you and your therapist have decided to move forward, you'll continue to build the therapeutic relationship, have the opportunity to ask more questions, learn about the EMDR therapy process, and learn coping skills to help manage difficult emotions as they arise throughout the course of treatment.
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After learning some skills, you and your therapist will identify a particular memory or symptom to work on. This will be what you'll work on reprocessing during EMDR therapy. You won't have to share every detail of the traumatic or disturbing event for the treatment to be effective.
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During this phase, EMDR therapists will lead you through bilateral stimulation techniques to help you dial back and resolve the disturbance you feel when thinking of the event. This can be overwhelming or uncomfortable at first so be patient with yourself - there is no “wrong” way to process. Your therapist will be there with you along the way and will check in with you to make sure you're doing okay.
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Your therapist will help you strengthen your positive belief associated with the original event until it resonates with you and is integrated through your entire body.
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This is when you’ll tune into how your body feels. Are there lingering uncomfortable physical sensations? If so, you and your therapist will continue reprocessing until you feel better.
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As you engage in reprocessing, your therapist will help you close each session so that you feel grounded and stable before you leave the therapy session. Due to time constraints of sessions and variability of how long it will take each individual to fully process, you might not feel totally resolved at first. Your therapist will make sure you are well resourced with strategies to regulate inside and outside of therapy.
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You'll begin your next session by reevaluating how you feel. If there are lingering symptoms, you and your therapist will work together to reprocess them. You might also identify new directions for your work together.
My approach to EMDR therapy in Denver, CO
Our past experiences can keep us stuck in patterns of people-pleasing, overthinking, low self-esteem, anxiety, and shame. However, it is possible to grow beyond what holds us back. EMDR therapy can help you find true, lasting mind-body healing and live a life that's not defined by old wounds.
I strive to make my therapy room a safe space where you can take the vulnerable first steps toward healing. By building a genuine connection with each other, you can feel seen and understood as you embark on your trauma recovery journey.
Through our work together, you'll learn valuable skills to help you soothe yourself when old thought patterns, memories, or beliefs pop up. As we navigate the process of EMDR therapy together, you'll feel more self aware and more confident in who you are and in your ability to show up in a way that feels good to you.
My approach to EMDR therapy is focused on helping people heal in their brain and body while ensuring that they feel safe and in control. Trauma and other mental health issues show up in our relationships, mood, thoughts, and physical bodies. In other words, it's all connected. By using this integrative approach, you can achieve personal growth that extends beyond our time together.
Ready to get started? I'm here for you. Reach out today for your free consultation to learn more about my approach to EMDR therapy and get a feel for whether we're the right fit for each other.
FAQs about EMDR therapy in Denver
Whether this is your first time in therapy or you're interested in trying a new approach, it's normal to have questions. Here, I've addressed some of the most frequently asked questions I receive about EMDR treatment. However, if you don't see your question here, I encourage you to reach out directly and ask away.
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While EMDR was initially developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, there is a significant amount of research that investigates the use of that it's an effective treatment for other mental health challenges. You may consider EMDR therapy if you experience any of the following:
• Mood disorders, such as depression
• Anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety
• Performance anxiety
• Chronic pain
• Stress
This is not an exhaustive list. Since EMDR is a relatively new treatment compared to other forms of therapy, new studies will likely continue to find other ways it can help people. If you're curious whether EMDR could work for your unique situation, please reach out to discuss further.
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Yes! According to the EMDRIA, EMDR therapy can be effective as a virtual treatment. Many people enjoy virtual therapy for the convenience and comfort it provides. You can receive care in a space where you already feel safe and comfortable. Plus, it cuts out the time you'd spend commuting to and from a therapist's office.
Virtual EMDR therapy is also confidential. My sessions take place over a HIPAA-compliant platform to ensure that your information stays secure.
I also offer in-person sessions for Colorado residents if you prefer to come in. Please contact me to discuss my available openings.
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I don't take a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy, so it's difficult to say exactly how long your EMDR treatment will last. We'll work together to create a treatment plan that's customized to your unique situation, goals, and needs.
Some people experience relief after just a few EMDR sessions. Other people need more time to process certain events or have a greater number of traumatic memories to work through. The length of treatment can also depend on many other factors like your commitment to the process, your ability to attend regular sessions, finances, and more.
Working with an EMDR therapist in Denver, CO can help you in your recovery journey.
If you're struggling with low self-esteem, relationship issues, uncomfortable body sensations, or are simply feeling stuck, EMDR therapy in Denver can help. I'm passionate about supporting young women navigate life transitions, trauma, and anxiety in my private practice by using this highly effective, integrative treatment approach.
Together, we'll break through the barriers that hold you back from living the kind of life you want and deserve. You'll learn how to get grounded in the present moment and literally change the relationship your brain has with your past experiences.
In therapy, you'll gain the insight and awareness needed to understand who you really are and what you value—then take the steps to make your life align. Plus, you don't have to do it alone. I'll be walking alongside you throughout the entire process.
Ready to get started? Connect with me to schedule your complimentary consultation. You can ask questions and share your thoughts to make sure that we're a good fit for each other before diving in. I look forward to hearing from you and supporting you in your healing process.