EMDR
Therapy
Redefine Your Past and Move Forward into the Future with Confidence and Optimism
If you find yourself always getting “triggered” by certain situations, are struggling with persistent anxiety or depression, feel numb and disconnected, have difficulty expressing or controlling your emotions, or feel trapped in the same emotional, behavioral, or relational patterns – no matter what you try to do to break free – you’re likely dealing with some sort of trauma.
Of course, “trauma” can be a triggering word …
When most people think of trauma, the first images that come to mind are of big “T” traumas, such as living through some sort of natural or man-made disaster, or surviving some life-threatening event.
What many don’t realize is that ANY experience that leaves you feeling isolated or vulnerable can be traumatic.
When looked at in this light, common occurrences, such as emotional abuse or neglect from parents or bullying by peers (little “t” traumas) can be just as traumatic as surviving a war or car accident.
In other words, living through some form of trauma is less of an exception than it is the norm.
Whether you’re suffering from anxiety, depression, or relationship issues, there’s a good chance that some form of trauma may be at the heart of the problems you’re facing.
If you’re asking yourself questions like:
- “Why is this issue still affecting me so much? Why can’t I just move on?”
- “Why do I always feel so sensitive, on edge or, at the other end of the spectrum, so numb?”
- “How is it possible that counseling, therapy, medications – nothing seems to ever help resolve my problems, at least not for long?”
- “What’s the matter with me?!?”
Know that you’re far from alone … and help is available.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy can help you release whatever’s holding you back, break free from the past, and feel more present and empowered in your life.
If you keep asking yourself questions like those above and nothing has helped you move past the issues you’re facing, contact us today to schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation and find out whether EMDR Therapy is the answer you’ve been looking for.
How EMDR Therapy Can Help
When we experience a traumatic event, our entire nervous system reacts to the perceived threat by entering a “fight,” “flight,” “freeze,” or “fawn” response in order to protect us. Once the traumatic experience has passed our brains and bodies attempt to return us to a state of equilibrium.
Unfortunately, whether due to the disturbing nature of the event itself, the repeated nature of the trauma, or any number of other factors, we can become incapable of “processing” the trauma effectively, leaving the thoughts and feelings associated with it “stuck” or “trapped” in our nervous systems.
In other words, long after a traumatic experience has occurred, your body and mind may keep reacting as if you’re still in danger – leaving you feeling hypervigilant, anxious, on edge, or completely disconnected from others and from yourself.
While traditional talk therapy can help you understand why you feel the way you do, and even provide you with coping skills to deal with trauma’s symptoms …
EMDR Therapy can help you “re-write” your past, so you finally FEEL better.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a specialized, evidence-based therapy technique designed specifically to help you process and heal from traumatic events.
This isn’t about “forgetting” what happened. It’s about rewriting your perceptions of the experience and how they define you in the present.
EMDR Therapy can help you “re-write” your past, so you finally FEEL better.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a specialized, evidence-based therapy technique designed specifically to help you process and heal from traumatic events.
This isn’t about “forgetting” what happened. It’s about rewriting your perceptions of the experience and how they define you in the present.
How does it work?
Instead of talking through the pain of a traumatic event, EMDR involves a carefully guided process of bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or sound) to activate the brain’s natural healing system, so you can “reprocess” traumatic memories at the level of your nervous system – where the trauma is stored – without having to re-experience them.
This process allows your brain to finally resolve the memory and “file it away” as something that happened in the past, rather than something you’re still reliving in the here and now.
It may sound a bit unorthodox, but EMDR is supported by decades of research and is recognized by organizations such as the American Psychological Association, Department of Veterans Affairs, and World Health Organization as a leading treatment for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms.
And while EMDR Therapy initially gained prominence for its ability to help people overcome trauma, it’s gone on to be proven effective in helping people resolve:
- Anxiety, stress, panic attacks, and burnout
- Irrational fears and phobias
- Grief and loss
- Low self-esteem, self-criticism, and shame
- Difficult breakups and relationship wounds
If you’ve been struggling for too long, nothing else has seemed to help, and you’re ready to try something new, EMDR Therapy can help you transform and feel empowered by the same memories and emotions that are currently causing you heartache and pain.
cContact us today, schedule your free, initial phone consultation, get your questions answered, and find out how EMDR Therapy can help you redefine your past, experience healing and growth, and move forward into the future with confidence and optimism.
Do We Have the Best EMDR Therapist for You?
While EMDR can be an incredibly powerful healing technique, finding the right EMDR therapist to work with still matters.
We’re all unique individuals. We all take different paths towards healing and growth.
Yes, EMDR is often more effective at helping clients overcome trauma than other forms of counseling and therapy. But no one treatment technique works equally well for everyone.
This is why you want a therapist who’s not only trained in EMDR, but who can also incorporate other healing modalities into sessions when necessary.
Even more importantly, you need to make sure you find a therapist who makes you feel seen, supported, and safe.
Given the personal nature of counseling and psychotherapy, no one clinician can be the best EMDR therapist for every client.
Fortunately …
Humboldt Therapy is much more than just one therapist!
Our diverse, compassionate team brings a variety of backgrounds, identities, and therapeutic approaches to our work, so we can help you find someone who feels like the right match for you.
When you contact us, we’ll take the time to understand your goals, your preferences, and what kind of support you’re looking for. Then we’ll thoughtfully match you with a therapist who’s not just trained in EMDR, but who also feels like a natural fit for your personality, pace, and needs.
We also take an integrative, trauma-informed, and deeply respectful approach to EMDR therapy. That means:
- You are never rushed, pressured, or asked to revisit something you’re not ready to face.
- Your therapist will help you build the tools and inner resources needed to feel safe, stable, and grounded – before processing anything painful.
- We’ll always go at your pace. Period.
Every EMDR session is tailored to your unique needs and goals, and the process unfolds in phases that help ensure your safety and empowerment every step of the way.
We’re here to provide you:
- Multiple therapists who are trained in EMDR and trauma-focused therapy
- A safe, supportive, judgment-free space in which your experiences can be explored, held, and honored
- A collaborative process that moves at your pace
- An inclusive and affirming practice rooted in feminist therapy and social justice values
- Sliding scale options, and acceptance of Aetna, Blue Shield, Medi-Cal Partnership, and Central California Alliance for Health – we can even help you verify your out-of-network benefits using Mentaya (see below)
And our therapists also consult with each other regularly, so you benefit from our shared knowledge and commitment to your care.
Of course, the only way to find out if we have the best EMDR therapist for you is to reach out, schedule a free consultation, and see if one of our team members feels like a good fit.
If you’ve tried everything else and still feel stuck – if you’re tired of experiencing the same painful reactions and carrying the same emotional burden around with you wherever you go – then what have you got to lose by giving EMDR Therapy a try?
Contact us today, schedule a free, 15-minute initial phone consultation, and take the first step toward redefining your past and moving forward with confidence and optimism as you reclaim your future.