EMDR Therapy NYC

During a session, EMDR therapists guide clients through a structured process that focuses on reprocessing these memories, allowing them to feel empowered and find relief from the emotional and physical symptoms associated with trauma. Here’s an overview of what happens in these sessions:

Initial Consultation and History-Taking

The first step in EMDR therapy involves an initial consultation with an EMDR therapist. During this session, the therapist takes a detailed history of the client’s experiences, including any specific memories of trauma or ongoing abuse.

This helps the therapist understand the client’s background and identify the disturbing memories that need to be addressed. The therapist also explains how EMDR works and what to expect in future sessions.

Preparation and Skill Building

Before diving into the reprocessing of traumatic memories, the trauma therapist helps the client prepare by building coping skills. This might involve teaching relaxation techniques, grounding exercises, or other strategies to help manage any emotional or physical discomfort that might arise during the EMDR sessions. The goal is to ensure that the client feels safe and stable before beginning the more intensive parts of the therapy.

Assessment and Targeting Specific Memories

Once the client is ready, the therapist works with them to identify specific memories to target during the EMDR sessions. These memories are usually linked to the traumatic event or experiences that continue to cause distress. The therapist may ask the client to focus on the most disturbing aspects of these memories, including the emotions, body sensations, and any negative beliefs associated with them. This step is crucial in setting the stage for effective treatment.

Desensitization and Reprocessing

During this phase, the EMDR therapist guides the client through the process of desensitization and reprocessing. This typically involves the client recalling the traumatic memory while following the therapist’s hand movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, such as auditory tones or tactile taps. The rapid eye movement (similar to what occurs during REM sleep) helps the brain process the traumatic experience in a new way, reducing the emotional intensity of the memory and allowing the nervous system to release the stress associated with it.

Installation of Positive Beliefs

After the disturbing memory has been reprocessed, the therapist helps the client install a positive belief to replace the negative one associated with the trauma. For example, a belief like “It’s my fault” might be replaced with “It was never my fault.” This step reinforces the progress made during the session and helps the client feel empowered and more confident in their ability to handle future challenges.

Body Scan and Addressing Residual Sensations

Once the positive belief has been installed, the therapist may ask the client to perform a body scan, which involves mentally scanning their body for any remaining tension or discomfort. This helps identify any lingering physical sensations related to the trauma. If any are found, the therapist might use additional EMDR techniques to address them, ensuring that both the mind and body have successfully processed the traumatic experience.

Closure and Reflection

Each EMDR therapy in NYC session ends with a closure phase, where the therapist helps the client return to a calm and centered state. This may involve guided relaxation exercises or discussing the session’s progress. The therapist ensures that the client leaves the session feeling safe and stable, without any overwhelming emotions. Clients are also encouraged to reflect on their experience and to note any thoughts or feelings that arise between sessions, which can be discussed in future therapy sessions.

It’s important to understand that EMDR therapy is a process that unfolds over time. While some clients may experience significant relief after just a few sessions, for many, healing from trauma is a journey that requires patience and multiple sessions.