More Information About EMDR
What is EMDR?
When we experience something disturbing or traumatic, that experience can get stuck in our brain with the original picture, thoughts, sounds, feelings, and body sensations. Our brain is not able to correctly process and integrate that information, so it remains fragmented in our system and we continue to re-experience it.
This is why it can be so hard to forget about or just “get over” something: your brain won’t let you! We often experience symptoms, triggers, and irrational negative beliefs in our current life directly related to the imprints left from those traumatic experiences.
EMDR therapy releases those stuck memories, while significantly reducing current distressing symptoms, so you can begin to heal and move forward in life.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
EMDR stands for Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing:
1. Eye-movement: bilateral stimulation (BLS) means moving your eyes back and forth to engage your left and right brain hemispheres
2. Desensitization: using these eye movements, we decrease the intensity of a memory and release that information from your nervous system
3. Reprocessing: we then install healthier, more positive self-beliefs to create a template for how you’d like to respond to similar situations in the future
Gaining a new perspective on old events allows your brain to process and integrate that information in a way that’s healthy and productive. We’re essentially desensitizing you to your memory and changing the way you experience it.
The goal is to significantly reduce or remove negative symptoms so you can heal and move on.
We’re not trying to erase your memories since your brain won’t release anything it doesn’t want to, and we don’t create new or false memories. Instead we’re changing your relationship with your past so that it no longer has such a firm hold on the present.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EMDR?
1. Relief from severe symptoms: Living with severe symptoms is exhausting. EMDR turns down the volume, completely changing your experience. So even if you recognize something’s there, it will no longer have the same negative impact as before.
2. More space for positive connection: When we turn down the volume on severe symptoms, we make room for new information like joy, connection, and stillness.
3. Positive self-talk: Negative experiences have an enormous impact on our internal dialogue. EMDR therapy can change the perspective you have about yourself. Through this process we install new, more positive self-beliefs that are applicable to a wide range of experiences. It’s how you want to view yourself, so it’s never false or fake.
4. Better boundaries: When we think kindly of ourselves, we’re better able to create and hold boundaries, manage conflict, and connect with others.
How long does EMDR take?
A typical EMDR therapy session lasts from 60-90 minutes. It could take one or several sessions to process one traumatic experience.
The goal of EMDR therapy is to process completely the traumatic experiences that are causing problems and to include new ones that are needed for full health. The amount of time it will take to complete EMDR treatment for traumatic experiences will depend upon the history of the client. Complete treatment of a single EMDR trauma target involves a three-pronged protocol to alleviate the symptoms and address the complete clinical picture. The three prongs include:
- past memories
- present disturbance
- future actions
Although EMDR therapy may produce results more rapidly than other forms of therapy, speed is not the goal of therapy and it is important to remember that every client has different needs. For instance, one client may take weeks to establish sufficient feelings of trust (Phase 2), while another may proceed quickly through the first six phases of treatment only to reveal something even more important that needs treatment. (information taken from www.emdria.org)
Intensive EMDR
For individuals with a busy schedule or complex trauma histories, an intensive model of EMDR may be a better fit. What does this mean? It simply means that instead of the traditional 60/90 minute weekly therapy model, you would instead participate in half to full day EMDR sessions. This allows the individual to experience relief quicker and to complete the healing work in a model that better fits your busy life. Please reach out for more information, if you feel this would be a better option for your specific treatment goals. Cost is determined by length of intensive and will be assessed for each individual.
Is and EMDR Intensive right for you?
If you’ve experienced trauma, or persistent conditions like depression, anxiety, hyper-vigilance, or burnout, you know the frustration of wanting to move forward but feeling trapped in distressing cycles.
An EMDR intensive may be the right fit for you if:
-You feel stuck in weekly therapy sessions, and want to take a deeper dive.
-You want EMDR revolutionizes your healing journey by directly addressing and clearing painful memories and disruptive feelings in a shorter amount of time.
-You have a very busy schedule, and you recognize the need for healing, but find it challenging to carve out time for weekly sessions.
Guided by bilateral stimulation, EMDR is a highly effective and evidence-based therapy that activates your brain’s natural healing mechanisms, allowing you to process trauma faster and more effectively than ever before. Break free from the cycle—choose EMDR for a journey of rapid and lasting transformation.
Who can benefit from EMDR (from EMDRIA.org)?
EMDR therapy helps children and adults of all ages. Therapists use EMDR therapy to address a wide range of challenges:
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
- Chronic Illness and medical issues
- Depression and bipolar disorders
- Dissociative disorders
- Eating disorders
- Grief and loss
- Pain
- Performance anxiety
- Personality disorders
- PTSD and other trauma and stress-related issues
- Sexual assault
- Sleep disturbance
- Substance abuse and addiction
- Violence and abuse
About Me
Holly Fregin, LMHC, EMDR Certified, EMDRIA approved Consultant & Trainer
I am a trauma focused licensed mental heath counselor. I approach all current difficulties through a lens of compassion and curiosity of how past experiences have shaped us. I believe the majoirty of us have faced and overcome trauma and adversities throughout our lives. While we have gotten to the other side, the impacts of these expe
I am a trauma focused licensed mental heath counselor. I approach all current difficulties through a lens of compassion and curiosity of how past experiences have shaped us. I believe the majoirty of us have faced and overcome trauma and adversities throughout our lives. While we have gotten to the other side, the impacts of these experiences may be causing our current symptoms and a sense of being stuck in unhealthy patterns and cycles. Negative self talk often consumes us and we feel overwhelmed and unable to move forward in life.
I am passionate about helping individuals rediscover their true identity. I will approach each client as an individual with specific needs and goals. I believe healing happens within authentic relationship, through a holistic approach. When we are brave enough to share our story, shame is replaced with truth and light. Through my own healing journey, I fully believe there is always hope, even in the darkest seasons of life.
Services and Prices
Individual Sessions
EMDR Certification Consultation (for Therapists)
EMDR Certification Consultation (for Therapists)
$200 / One Hour Session
(limited sliding scale available based on financial need)
Insurance: I do not accept insurance at this time.
EMDR Certification Consultation (for Therapists)
EMDR Certification Consultation (for Therapists)
EMDR Certification Consultation (for Therapists)
I am an Emdria Approved Consultant and would love to partner with you as you work towards EMDR certification.
Cost: 150/individual hour / 75/group hour (2 or more)
EMDR Sessions
EMDR Certification Consultation (for Therapists)
EMDR Sessions
$300/ 90 minute session
*Please reach out for more information regarding intensive EMDR options, as well as pricing.