EMDR Therapist In Naples with Jenny Smith
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
We offer virtual EMDR therapy in Naples to help you work through trauma and other mental health struggles. It uses specific techniques from various therapies to guide the healing process.
Trauma affects everyone differently, and its effects can stick with you for a long time—things like flashbacks, nightmares, or constant fear can take over your life. You don’t have to keep carrying the weight of past trauma. Whatever you've experienced, there’s support available to help you move forward.
Rapid Relief
Studies show that many individuals experience significant symptom reduction after just 3-6 EMDR sessions, making it one of the fastest therapies for trauma.
High Success Rates
EMDR has shown up to 90% success in reducing PTSD symptoms for single-trauma survivors, indicating strong effectiveness in a short timeframe.
Efficient Recovery
Unlike other trauma therapies like CBT, EMDR doesn’t require detailed recounting of the traumatic event, challenging beliefs, or extensive homework, making it easier to stick with the treatment.
Lasting Results
Research suggests EMDR’s benefits often persist long after treatment, providing enduring relief without the need for ongoing medication or extensive follow-up.
Understanding How EMDR Transforms Lives in Naples
EMDR is a therapy that helps people process and heal from trauma. It works by helping your brain reframe difficult memories so they don’t feel as overwhelming or painful. For many people in Naples, this has been a way to get relief from the lasting effects of trauma, like anxiety, flashbacks, or feeling stuck.
EMDR gives your mind the chance to heal at its own pace. Whether you’re dealing with past abuse, loss, or other difficult experiences, this process can help you feel more in control and less affected by those memories. If you’re struggling, EMDR might be a way to find the peace you’ve been searching for.
EMDR gives your mind the chance to heal at its own pace. Whether you’re dealing with past abuse, loss, or other difficult experiences, this process can help you feel more in control and less affected by those memories. If you’re struggling, EMDR might be a way to find the peace you’ve been searching for.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR therapy helps your brain heal from trauma by using something called bilateral stimulation, which means activating both sides of your brain. Often, this is done through guided eye movements, similar to what happens during REM sleep, when your brain processes daily experiences.
In simple terms, EMDR helps your brain "reprocess" stuck or overwhelming memories. It’s commonly used to address trauma from childhood abuse, neglect, or difficult relationships. EMDR doesn’t erase those memories, but it does make them feel less overwhelming, giving you more control over how they affect you. Instead of being trapped by the trauma, you’ll have a healthier way to process it.
If you're curious or want to learn more, feel free to explore resources like EMDRIA.
What to Expect in an EMDR Therapy Session
EMDR therapy happens in eight phases. Each phase has a purpose, and together they help you process and heal from trauma.
In the beginning, we’ll talk about your history and the trauma you’re dealing with. This helps me understand where you’re coming from and how to guide you during the process. After that, we move into preparation and assessment, where we’ll set up a safe space for you to process the experience.
When we get to the desensitization phase, I’ll ask you to focus on a specific memory or image related to your trauma. You’ll also think about any negative beliefs connected to it. As you do this, I’ll guide your eye movements or use tapping to help activate both sides of your brain. This is where the reprocessing happens.
During this time, you’ll notice how your body feels and what emotions come up. Afterward, we’ll take a moment for your mind to rest, letting go of that negative image and working to replace it with a more positive one. It’s a gradual process, and we go at your pace.
The Eight Phases of EMDR
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1. Client History
Identify target memories, past events, present triggers, future needed behaviors.
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2. Preparation
Prepare the client appropriately using techniques for affect control and processing for the therapy.
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3. Assessment
Fully assess and evaluate target memories, feelings, beliefs, negative and positive beliefs, etc.
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4. Desensitization
Use eye movements or other forms of bilateral simulation to process memories.
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5. Installation
Install positive beliefs about self to replace negative beliefs and affects associated with memories.
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6. Body Scan
Eliminate any remaining physiological symptoms with further bilateral stimulation.
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7. Closure
Return client to safe calm equilibrium as session ends.
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8. Re-evaluation
Check that all aspects of memory have been fully processed.
What does EMDR help?
EMDR was originally established as helpful for PTSD, although it’s been proven useful for treatment in the following conditions:
PANIC ATTACKS
COMPLICATED GRIEF
DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS
DISTURBING MEMORIES
PHOBIAS
PAIN DISORDERS
PERFORMANCE ANXIETY
ADDICTIONS
STRESS REDUCTION
SEXUAL AND/OR PHYSICAL ABUSE
BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDERS
PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Is EMDR Therapy in Naples Right for You?
The goal of EMDR is to eventually experience no distress when it comes to a specific traumatic memory. It doesn’t erase the memory from your mind but allows you to see it differently and know that you’re safe and secure even when you think about it.
EMDR may not be for everyone. But, it’s a great solution for people who want something different than traditional talk therapy. Or, maybe you’ve tried other methods and haven’t experienced anything that works.
Research has shown that EMDR can help with a variety of symptoms that are often associated with trauma, including anger and stress.
If you’ve been through a traumatic experience, you deserve to be in control. EMDR is so effective because it actually changes the way your brain views the trauma. Rather than just talking things through, you’ll experience a real shift that will last a lifetime.
If you’re interested in learning more about EMDR and whether or not it would be a good fit, contact me to schedule a free phone consultation.
Book a Free 20 Minute Consultation
You don’t have to carry the weight of your past any longer. Healing is possible, and you deserve peace. If you’re ready to take that step toward a lighter, more free life, reach out today for a free 20-minute consultation. Let’s start your journey to healing together.