EMDR Therapist in Pinecrest with Jenny Smith
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
We offer virtual EMDR therapy in Pinecrest that can help you navigate challenging experiences and mental health struggles. Through gentle, guided techniques, it supports your healing journey.
Trauma affects everyone differently. It might show up as flashbacks, nightmares, or a constant feeling of fear. I understand that these burdens are heavy, but you don’t have to carry them alone. No matter what you’ve been through, support is here to help you move forward. You deserve to feel lighter and more at peace.
Rapid Relief
Studies show that many people begin to feel relief after just 3-6 EMDR sessions, making it one of the fastest therapies for trauma recovery.
High Success Rates
EMDR has been shown to reduce PTSD symptoms in up to 90% of individuals with a single trauma, delivering strong results in a short time.
Efficient Recovery
Unlike CBT, EMDR doesn’t involve detailed retelling of trauma, challenging beliefs, or heavy homework, making it easier to stick with.
Lasting Results
Research also indicates that EMDR’s effects are long-lasting, providing relief without the need for ongoing medication or frequent follow-ups.
Understanding How EMDR Changes Lives in Pinecrest
EMDR supports healing from trauma by helping your brain reshape difficult memories, so they feel less overwhelming. Many people in Naples have found relief from the lasting effects of trauma—things like anxiety, flashbacks, or feeling stuck.
With EMDR, your mind has space to heal at its own pace. Whether you’re coping with past abuse, loss, or other painful experiences, this approach can help you feel more in control and less burdened by those memories. If you’re feeling weighed down, EMDR might be the way to find the peace you’ve been seeking.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR therapy helps your brain recover from trauma by using a technique called bilateral stimulation, which activates both sides of the brain. This often includes guided eye movements, similar to what naturally occurs during REM sleep when your brain is processing memories.
In simple terms, EMDR helps your brain "reprocess" memories that feel stuck or overwhelming. It’s frequently used to work through trauma from experiences like childhood abuse, neglect, or difficult relationships. While EMDR doesn’t erase these memories, it helps soften their intensity, giving you more control over their impact. Instead of feeling trapped by the trauma, you’ll be able to process it in a way that feels healthier.
If you’d like to learn more, feel free to explore resources like EMDRIA.
What to Expect in an EMDR Therapy Session
EMDR therapy follows a structured, eight-phase process designed to guide you through healing from trauma.
We begin by discussing your history and the specific trauma you’re facing. This helps me understand your story and the best way to support you. From there, we move into preparation and assessment, setting up a safe and comfortable space for you to start processing these experiences.
In the desensitization phase, I’ll invite you to focus on a particular memory or image tied to the trauma, along with any negative beliefs connected to it. During this, I’ll guide your eye movements or use gentle tapping to activate both sides of your brain, allowing the reprocessing to happen.
As we progress, you’ll become aware of physical sensations and emotions that come up. At the end of each session, we’ll take a moment to let your mind rest, helping you shift from that negative image toward a more positive perspective. It’s a gentle, step-by-step process that we adjust according to your comfort and pace.
The Eight Phases of EMDR
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1. History Taking
We identify key memories, triggers, and your healing goals to understand what you’re carrying and where you want to go.
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2. Preparation
I’ll equip you with tools to manage emotions and create a safe space where you can heal at your own pace.
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3. Assessment
Together, we explore specific memories and beliefs, understanding both the pain and potential for growth.
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4. Desensitization
Using gentle eye movements or tapping, we lessen the intensity of painful memories, allowing you to process without overwhelm.
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5. Installation
We replace negative beliefs with positive ones, helping you feel more in control and empowered.
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6. Body Scan
We check for any remaining physical stress, letting your body fully release the trauma.
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7. Closure
Each session ends with calm and stability, ensuring you leave feeling balanced and supported.
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8. Re-evaluation
We review your progress, confirming that past memories no longer have a hold on you, so you can move forward with confidence.
What does EMDR help?
EMDR was originally created to help with PTSD, but it’s also been found helpful for:
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 Pinecrest Right for You?
The aim of EMDR is to help you recall a traumatic memory without feeling distress. It doesn’t remove the memory but changes how you experience it, so you feel safe and secure when it surfaces.
EMDR may not be for everyone, but it can be a great choice if you’re seeking something different from traditional talk therapy. It’s also worth exploring if other approaches haven’t brought the relief you’re looking for.
Research shows that EMDR can help ease symptoms often tied to trauma, such as anger and stress.
If you’ve been through trauma, you deserve to feel in control again. EMDR is effective because it changes how your brain handles the trauma. Rather than just discussing it, you’ll experience a lasting change that brings genuine relief.
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 bear the weight of your past alone. Peace is within reach, and you deserve it. Take the first step toward a lighter, freer life. Reach out for a free 20-minute consultation, and let’s start this healing journey together.