EMDR Therapist in Rosemary Beach with Jenny Smith
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
We offer virtual EMDR therapy in Rosemary Beach that can help you work through difficult experiences and mental health challenges. It uses gentle, guided techniques to support your healing.
Everyone feels the impact of trauma in their own way. It can linger—maybe as flashbacks, nightmares, or a constant sense of fear. These feelings can be heavy, but you don’t have to carry them alone. Whatever you’ve gone through, there’s support to help you move forward. You deserve to feel lighter and more at peace.
Rapid Relief
Research shows that many people start feeling relief from their symptoms after only 3-6 EMDR sessions, making it one of the quickest therapies for addressing trauma.
High Success Rates
EMDR has been found to reduce PTSD symptoms in up to 90% of people who have experienced a single trauma, showing powerful results in a relatively short time.
Efficient Recovery
Unlike therapies like CBT, EMDR doesn’t require detailed retelling of trauma, challenging beliefs, or extensive homework, making it easier to continue with treatment.
Lasting Results
Research shows that EMDR’s benefits often last well beyond treatment, offering lasting relief without ongoing medication or frequent follow-ups.
Understanding How EMDR Transforms Lives in Rosemary Beach
EMDR is a therapy designed to help people process and heal from trauma by guiding the brain to reframe tough memories, making them feel less overwhelming and painful. For many in Naples, it has offered relief from the lingering effects of trauma, like anxiety, flashbacks, or feeling stuck.
With EMDR, your mind heals at its own pace. Whether you’re facing 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 struggling, EMDR could be the path to finding the peace you’ve been seeking.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR therapy helps your brain heal from trauma by using a technique called bilateral stimulation, which activates both sides of your brain. This often involves guided eye movements, similar to what happens during REM sleep, when your brain processes experiences.
Put simply, EMDR allows your brain to "reprocess" memories that feel stuck or overwhelming. It’s commonly used to address trauma from childhood abuse, neglect, or challenging relationships. EMDR doesn’t erase these memories but makes them feel less intense, giving you more control over how they impact you. Instead of feeling trapped by the trauma, you’ll be able to process it in a healthier way.
If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to explore resources like EMDRIA.
What to Expect in an EMDR Therapy Session
EMDR therapy is a structured process with eight phases, each designed to help you work through and heal from trauma.
We start by discussing your history and the specific trauma you’re dealing with, which helps me understand your background and how best to support you. Next, we focus on preparation and assessment, creating a safe environment where you feel comfortable processing your experiences.
In the desensitization phase, I’ll ask you to focus on a particular memory or image related to the trauma, along with any negative beliefs tied to it. While doing this, I’ll guide your eye movements or use tapping to activate both sides of your brain, helping the reprocessing unfold.
As you go through this, you’ll notice sensations in your body and emotions that arise. After each session, we’ll pause to allow your mind to rest, shifting from that negative image to a more positive perspective. It’s a gradual, paced process that we adjust based on your comfort and readiness.
The Eight Phases of EMDR
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1. History Taking
Identify key memories, triggers, and goals for future behavior.
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2. Preparation
Teach techniques to help manage emotions and create a safe space for processing.
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3. Assessment
Evaluate target memories and beliefs, both positive and negative.
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4. Desensitization
Use eye movements or tapping to help the brain process painful memories.
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5. Installation
Strengthen positive beliefs to replace negative ones tied to memories.
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6. Body Scan
Address any lingering physical reactions to the memories.
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7. Closure
End each session with calm and a sense of stability.
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8. Re-evaluation
Review progress to ensure all memories are fully processed and no longer distressing.
What does EMDR help?
EMDR was initially developed to treat PTSD, but it has also shown to be effective for addressing:
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 Rosemary Beach Right for You?
The goal of EMDR is to help you feel no distress when recalling a specific traumatic memory. It doesn’t erase the memory but changes how you view it, allowing you to feel safe and secure when it comes to mind.
EMDR isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great option if you’re looking for an alternative to traditional talk therapy. It’s also worth considering if other methods haven’t provided the relief you need.
Studies have shown that EMDR can help reduce symptoms commonly linked to trauma, like anger and stress.
If you’ve experienced trauma, you deserve to regain control. EMDR is powerful because it changes how your brain processes the trauma. Instead of just talking about it, you’ll experience a lasting shift that brings real 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 carry your past alone. Peace is possible, and you deserve it. Take the first step toward a lighter life. Reach out today for a free 20-minute consultation. Let’s begin this journey to healing, together.