EMDR Therapy in Rockville, Maryland
We offer EMDR therapy in Rockville, Maryland and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are convenient to clients in Montgomery County, including Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Springs, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, Potomac, and Olney. Virtual EMDR therapy can be provided for individuals located anywhere in the state of Maryland.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Francine Shapiro created this revolutionary treatment, known as EMDR therapy in the 1980s, specifically using eye movements to desensitize and reprocess past trauma.
EMDR therapy is an evidence-based treatment for helping folks to heal from trauma and PTSD. Traditional talk therapy is not usually the approach of choice for trauma, as healing from trauma tends to require a more specialized approach. In our experience, EMDR therapy can support clients with powerful results in healing their trauma related symptoms. Research on EMDR also supports that this specialized therapy method can be highly effective in addressing the effects of trauma and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, EMDR can also be helpful in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Francine Shapiro created this revolutionary treatment, known as EMDR therapy in the 1980s, specifically using eye movements to desensitize and reprocess past trauma.
EMDR therapy is an evidence-based treatment for helping folks to heal from trauma and PTSD. Traditional talk therapy is not usually the approach of choice for trauma, as healing from trauma tends to require a more specialized approach. In our experience, EMDR therapy can support clients with powerful results in healing their trauma related symptoms. Research on EMDR also supports that this specialized therapy method can be highly effective in addressing the effects of trauma and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, EMDR can also be helpful in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
EMDR therapy has a three pronged approach to target past events, current concerns, and future triggers. This approach can help your brain process memories of trauma and to make new neural connections to help you get unstuck from past experiences.
EMDR is different from traditional talk therapies. EMDR therapy targets trauma memories by turning on both sides of the brain. Often, after someone has experienced trauma or nervous system dysregulation, the brain's two hemispheres (the left and right brain hemispheres) have trouble communicating. EMDR can help the brain engage more fully so that you can process traumatic memories effectively.
In EMDR therapy, you are empowered to go at a pace that feels best for you. This is an important part of recovery. As trauma informed therapists, we will never push you to share anything that you do not feel ready to process.
Please know that you do not have to continue to struggle with the aftermath of trauma and its related symptoms. Feeling like you are continually existing in survival mode is exhausting.
Healing is possible. EMDR therapy is a powerful treatment that can help.
We offer EMDR therapy in Rockville, Maryland, as well as virtually throughout the states of Maryland and Virginia for those struggling with trauma, PTSD, CPTSD, and DID (and other dissociative disorders).
EMDR is different from traditional talk therapies. EMDR therapy targets trauma memories by turning on both sides of the brain. Often, after someone has experienced trauma or nervous system dysregulation, the brain's two hemispheres (the left and right brain hemispheres) have trouble communicating. EMDR can help the brain engage more fully so that you can process traumatic memories effectively.
In EMDR therapy, you are empowered to go at a pace that feels best for you. This is an important part of recovery. As trauma informed therapists, we will never push you to share anything that you do not feel ready to process.
Please know that you do not have to continue to struggle with the aftermath of trauma and its related symptoms. Feeling like you are continually existing in survival mode is exhausting.
Healing is possible. EMDR therapy is a powerful treatment that can help.
We offer EMDR therapy in Rockville, Maryland, as well as virtually throughout the states of Maryland and Virginia for those struggling with trauma, PTSD, CPTSD, and DID (and other dissociative disorders).
Frequently Asked Questions: EMDR Therapy in Rockville, Maryland
What is emdr therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR therapy is an evidenced-based treatment that can lower the intensity of symptoms of trauma, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
EMDR therapy's three-pronged approach can help address past experiences, present issues, and future triggers. This method can help your brain process traumatic memories and create new neural connections, helping you move forward.
EMDR therapy is thought to work by stimulating both hemispheres of the brain (Gainer et al., 2020; Landin-Romero et al., 2018). When someone experiences trauma or stress that overwhelms the nervous system, communication between the brain’s left and right brain hemispheres can become disrupted. EMDR therapy can help restore balance so you can move beyond trauma and stress responses.
EMDR therapy's three-pronged approach can help address past experiences, present issues, and future triggers. This method can help your brain process traumatic memories and create new neural connections, helping you move forward.
EMDR therapy is thought to work by stimulating both hemispheres of the brain (Gainer et al., 2020; Landin-Romero et al., 2018). When someone experiences trauma or stress that overwhelms the nervous system, communication between the brain’s left and right brain hemispheres can become disrupted. EMDR therapy can help restore balance so you can move beyond trauma and stress responses.
What symptoms do people experience after trauma?
Symptoms after trauma often can include anxiety, panic attacks, feeling guarded or on high alert (hypervigilance), feeling like you’re reliving the trauma (flashbacks), difficulty concentrating, depression or other mood changes, disrupted sleep patterns (sleeping more than usual, not being able to sleep, or having restless sleep), disordered eating or eating disorders, and/or changes in how you see yourself or the world.
After trauma, you may also notice isolation from others or changes in your relationship with friends and family members. You may struggle with executive functioning and doing basic tasks (such as getting out of bed, going to work, etc.). People who have experienced trauma may also notice suicidal thoughts and feelings of hopelessness and/or helplessness.
There is no “right way” to feel after a traumatic experience. You deserve help regardless of how your brain and body are coping with what happened to you.
After trauma, you may also notice isolation from others or changes in your relationship with friends and family members. You may struggle with executive functioning and doing basic tasks (such as getting out of bed, going to work, etc.). People who have experienced trauma may also notice suicidal thoughts and feelings of hopelessness and/or helplessness.
There is no “right way” to feel after a traumatic experience. You deserve help regardless of how your brain and body are coping with what happened to you.
Is EMDR therapy effective for trauma?
Yes, there are many high-quality research studies supporting the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in treating symptoms of trauma and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR is considered one of the top evidence-based treatments for PTSD, and it is often one of the best-tolerated treatments for trauma.
EMDR therapy is considered a “bottom-up” therapy modality, meaning that it addresses body sensations and nervous system regulation before addressing cognition and higher level thinking about an event. More and more research is coming out to support that bottom-up therapy modalities, such as EMDR therapy, should be the first line treatment for someone who has experienced trauma.
EMDR therapy is considered a “bottom-up” therapy modality, meaning that it addresses body sensations and nervous system regulation before addressing cognition and higher level thinking about an event. More and more research is coming out to support that bottom-up therapy modalities, such as EMDR therapy, should be the first line treatment for someone who has experienced trauma.
How do I know if I can benefit from EMDR therapy?
Many individuals can benefit from EMDR therapy. Our clients often report that EMDR therapy helped them work through symptoms of anxiety, trauma and eating disorders. EMDR therapy may be a game-changer for your recovery!
EMDR therapy can target anything that is distressing, such as a distressing thought, memory, emotion, or body sensation. You can schedule a consult to discuss EMDR and whether it’s a good fit for you.
EMDR therapy can target anything that is distressing, such as a distressing thought, memory, emotion, or body sensation. You can schedule a consult to discuss EMDR and whether it’s a good fit for you.
Is it possible to do EMDR therapy virtually?
Yes! EMDR therapy can be done virtually throughout the states of Maryland and Virginia, or we can also meet in person at our Rockville, MD EMDR therapy office.
Our skilled EMDR therapist has years of experience helping clients use EMDR therapy to reprocess trauma over Telehealth. The efficacy of EMDR therapy does not change if the processing is happening via Telehealth. Our therapist will explain the differences between in person and virtual EMDR therapy sessions to help you make a decision that will be a good fit for your healing journey!
Our skilled EMDR therapist has years of experience helping clients use EMDR therapy to reprocess trauma over Telehealth. The efficacy of EMDR therapy does not change if the processing is happening via Telehealth. Our therapist will explain the differences between in person and virtual EMDR therapy sessions to help you make a decision that will be a good fit for your healing journey!
How can I reach you for help WITH TRAUMA?
If you think that you could benefit from trauma therapy, you can reach out via our website contact form. You may also call us or email our office to request an appointment with an EMDR therapist. Our administrative staff will promptly gather some information from you before getting you connected with our EMDR therapist.
What if I'm worried about a loved one?
If you are concerned about a loved one, feel free to reach out to us to discuss options for treatment. Our dedicated team of therapists also provide support to friends and family members of individuals struggling with trauma. We can talk through options for your loved one and provide support as you speak with your loved one about treatment options.
“Research has shown that about five hours of EMDR treatment eliminates PTSD in 84 to 100 percent of civilians with a single trauma experience.”
― Francine Shapiro, EMDR: The Breakthrough Therapy for Overcoming Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma
― Francine Shapiro, EMDR: The Breakthrough Therapy for Overcoming Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma
EMDR therapy for trauma in Rockville, Maryland. Serving Montgomery County and surrounding areas, including Potomac, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Olney, Chevy Chase, Severna Park, and Annapolis. Virtual EMDR therapy available across Maryland and Virginia.
References:
Gainer, D., Alam, S., Alam, H., & Redding, H. (2020). A FLASH OF HOPE: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. Innovations in clinical neuroscience, 17(7-9), 12–20.
Landin-Romero, R., Moreno-Alcazar, A., Pagani, M., & Amann, B. L. (2018). How Does Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy Work? A Systematic Review on Suggested Mechanisms of Action. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 1395. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01395
Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (3rd ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press
https://www.emdria.org/blog/the-eight-phases-of-emdr-therapy/#:~:text=The%20eight%20phases%20are%201