Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a evidenced based (plain language: studied and determined to be effective) modality created by Dr. Francine Shapiro. She was taking a walk in the woods on a windy day and thinking about something that had been bothering her. She watched the branches on the trees around her sway back and forth and found that she was able to see different perspectives and possibilities for resolutions to her problem. She marveled in how the eye movements seemed to facilitate processing of the upsetting things she had in mind. She wondered if she could turn it into a therapy modality… and EMDR was born.

Drew is trained in EMDR and has been using it with clients since 2021. Core memories, some that you don’t remember easily, can be used to facilitate healing. Drew would not offer a treatment modality that she hasn’t tried herself, and EMDR is no different. Plagued by incessant disturbing thoughts when trying to go to sleep, she worked with an EMDR provider to help her and lead the way to a restful slumber. 

So what does it look like?  Everyone has a different technique that works for them. Bilateral stimulation is used in EMDR to have movement or stimulation from each side of the body (therefore stimulating the brain on that side). Usually that looks like Drew waving a finger that your eyes follow from side to side, tapping yourself on each shoulder while you are in a butterfly hug position, vibrating tappers are held in your hands or tucked inside your knees while in a crossed legged position. 

There is some preparation involved that helps you get to the target memory that needs to be addressed in order to process the trauma. In that process you usually remember a lot of things that have been buried away that you didn’t know were related but quickly learn were actually related. 

Doing all of this in 45 minutes is not ideal, but possible, if separated into several weekly sessions. In an intensive, you can follow your healing and processing flow and not have to tie up loose ends in 45 minutes. This is beneficial for:

• Busy parents with limited time or days off

• Someone who wants to have faster progress in a short period

• You want to have a more affordable approach instead of spending weeks/years in therapy

Therefore, meeting over several hours on the same day can allow you to dig deep and do some deep processing. There are options for a half day (3 hours) and full day (six-hour) intensive. 

As part of the time we will spend together in an intensive, there will be a 90-minute prep session and depending on the half or full-day option, some time afterwards to process. 

Pricing:

$750 for half day (3 hours)

Or 

$1500 for full day (6 hours)

Can be done virtually or in person in Rochester and occasionally in NYC (additional cost applies to sessions in NYC and must be scheduled and paid for in advance).