Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful approach primarily used to treat trauma and its associated symptoms. It was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s and has gained recognition for its effectiveness in helping individuals process and heal from traumatic memories. The structured nature of EMDR therapy is encapsulated in its 8 Phases and 3 Prongs, which together form a comprehensive approach to trauma healing. Understanding these phases and prongs will help you as you begin your EMDR journey!
The 8 Phases of EMDR
History Taking and Treatment Planning: The therapist gathers information about the client’s history and identifies target memories for processing. This phase also includes assessing the client’s readiness for EMDR.
Preparation: The therapist explains the EMDR process, establishes trust, and ensures the client has the necessary coping strategies to manage distress during the therapy. This phase involves EMDR Resourcing and development of a safe place or other coping skills to manage difficult emotions.
Assessment: This phase involves identifying specific aspects of the traumatic memory, including the visual image, negative beliefs, emotions, and physical sensations associated with it.
Desensitization: The core of EMDR, this phase uses bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements) to help the client reprocess the traumatic memory, reducing its emotional charge.
Installation: Positive beliefs are strengthened in this phase, replacing the negative beliefs originally associated with the traumatic memory.
Body Scan: The therapist guides the client to focus on any residual physical tension related to the trauma, helping to release it.
Closure: The therapist ensures that the client leaves the session feeling stable and provides strategies for self-care between sessions.
Reevaluation: In subsequent sessions, the therapist assesses the client’s progress and determines if further processing is needed.
The 3 Pronged Approach of EMDR
The 3 Prongs of EMDR address trauma from all angles, ensuring a holistic healing process:
Past: Focuses on processing past traumatic events that have contributed to current distress.
Present: Addresses current situations that trigger distressing responses linked to past trauma.
Future: Prepares the client to handle future challenges, fostering resilience and adaptive coping mechanisms.
EMDR’s structured approach, through its 8 Phases and 3 Prongs, offers a comprehensive path to healing for trauma survivors. By addressing the past, present, and future, EMDR not only helps in desensitizing traumatic memories but also empowers individuals to live more adaptive and fulfilling lives.
Offering EMDR Trauma Therapy at the Phoenix Center in Media, PA or Online! 484-440-9416 | Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com
Flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive images from past experiences can cast a long shadow on our lives, making it challenging to move forward. Flashbacks are vivid and distressing recollections of traumatic events that can feel as if you’re reliving them. Nightmares are unsettling dreams that often revolve around past traumas or adversity. Disturbing mental images can pop up unexpectedly and cause significant distress in our lives long after an experience is over. Sometimes these disturbing images are related to violence, trauma, death, or other painful moments in our lives.
If you’re grappling with these distressing symptoms, there’s hope in the form of Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR therapy is a structured approach that has shown remarkable effectiveness in alleviating these symptoms. Here’s how it works:
Offering EMDR at the Phoenix Center in Media, PA or via TeleTherapy! 484-440-9416 | Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com
How EMDR Therapy Helps:
Resourcing: First we begin by helping you connect with some positive memories and positive images that can be used as helpful tools when we feel stressed, overwhelmed, triggered, or anxious. These positive resources are tools you will take with you and can use on your own in-between sessions to manage difficult emotions.
Desensitization: EMDR therapy helps desensitize your emotional responses to traumatic memories. By gently processing these memories in a safe environment, their emotional intensity diminishes over time. While you will not forget the image or memory, EMDR works by reducing the emotional and physiological charge that we experience when thinking about a particular memory or image. EMDR effectively helps us change our relationship to the image or memory.
Reprocessing: During EMDR sessions, therapists use bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, to guide your brain in reprocessing traumatic memories. This helps you view them from a different perspective, reducing their impact on your daily life. The bilateral stimulation is based on neuroscience research and seems to activate the memory processing mechanisms in the brain (the same process that happens naturally each night during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep). The EMDR process helps your nervous system and your brain maintain dual awareness of the past memory and the present moment at the same time which in a gentle and titrated manner, which allows the brain to process the previously stuck memory.
Integration: As EMDR therapy progresses, you’ll find that the disturbing images and emotions associated with your past experiences become less intrusive or disturbing. This allows you to regain control over your thoughts and feelings. The EMDR process involves identifying negative beliefs about ourselves and actively working to change those into new positive core beliefs. After processing past memories with EMDR, we will then work to desensitize present-day triggers, and finally to create some future templates imagining and practicing what it will be like to encounter previously triggering experiences in a new way.
The Result: Relief and Healing
EMDR therapy offers hope for those struggling with flashbacks, nightmares, and disturbing images. It can provide substantial relief by addressing the root causes of these symptoms and helping you build resilience. Many individuals experience a significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of these distressing experiences, paving the way for healing and a brighter future. For clients who are already engaged in an ongoing personal growth journey, connected to social support in their life, and otherwise mostly stable emotionally and psychologically – EMDR can provide relief after just a handful of sessions.
Seek Help Today: If you or someone you know is grappling with flashbacks, nightmares, or disturbing images from past experiences, consider reaching out to a qualified EMDR therapist. They can provide the guidance and support needed to embark on a journey of healing and relief.
Remember, there’s no need to suffer in silence. EMDR therapy is a powerful tool that can help you regain control over your life and find peace from the grip of past traumas.
Who is appropriate for EMDR therapy?
It is important to note that not everyone is the best fit for engaging in EMDR therapy. The best candidates for EMDR are individuals who have already established a social support system, developed self-awareness, are able to regulate their emotions when overwhelmed, have already learned coping skills, and who are otherwise relatively stable in terms of suicidality, alcohol/substance abuse, other addictive behaviors, self-harm, and overall mental health.
We also offer EMDR intensives, which may be best for clients who seek a more immersive treatment experience and can afford the time and financial cost of scheduling multiple hours or days of consecutive sessions with one of our specialists.
Why Choose the Phoenix Center for EMDR trauma therapy?
Our staff is composed entirely of therapists who specialize in trauma therapy and have devoted their careers to learning, practicing, and teaching trauma therapy. While our staff have training and certifications in various trauma treatments, every therapist and graduate student on our team is trained in EMDR. EMDR is a common language and shared treatment philosophy and modality amongst our team which has over 25 EMDR providers. The Phoenix Center started in 2015 as a practice primarily offering EMDR therapy and has become recognized by many in the professional community as an agency providing high-quality and ethical EMDR treatment on a larger scale than nearly any other organization in the Philadelphia area.
We also offer low-cost EMDR and trauma therapy through our internship program. We have 10 advanced graduate interns that we host at our center who we support in participating in EMDR basic training and provide 3-4 hours of weekly supervision and EMDR consultation to. Often of our graduate students have more hours of training in trauma therapy than other experienced therapists in the field. Sessions with our interns start at $85/hour and can be flexible based on our sliding scale options.
In the realm of therapeutic healing, embracing a diverse range of approaches often leads to profound transformation. A compelling fusion gaining momentum is the integration of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR therapy) alongside ongoing individual therapy. EMDR is a unique and specialized therapy for treating PTSD and reprocessing disturbing memories. At the Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy, we not only offer EMDR, but we specialize in it and nearly every therapist and intern on our team is trained in EMDR. It is the most commonly employed therapeutic modality at our center.
Offering EMDR at the Phoenix Center in Media, PA or via TeleTherapy! 484-440-9416 | Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com
Benefits of EMDR
Let’s dive into the benefits of incorporating EMDR therapy as an adjunct to your current therapeutic journey, fostering a dynamic collaboration for deep healing and focused EMDR work.
Gaining Additional Perspective and a Specialized Approach: Ongoing individual therapy provides a nurturing environment for self-discovery and personal growth. The infusion of EMDR therapy from the Phoenix Center introduces an additional and specialized perspective. With a specialized EMDR therapist, you’re granted the privilege of a fresh outlook on your challenges. This distinct approach illuminates your healing from a new angle, offering novel strategies that enrich your therapeutic experience.
Streamlined and Focused EMDR Experience: EMDR therapy, renowned for its precise focus on trauma and emotional distress, becomes even more impactful when seamlessly integrated as an adjunct to ongoing individual therapy. Enlisting a dedicated EMDR specialist from the Phoenix Center ensures that your sessions are highly focused on the reprocessing of traumatic memories. This streamlined process expedites the journey to healing, appealing to those seeking rapid relief from distressing symptoms. Often when the EMDR therapist is one’s only professional support, week-to-week stressors or other therapeutic issues slow down progress and draw the focus of therapy away from EMDR.
Embracing EMDR Benefits While Sustaining Ongoing Work: Integrating EMDR therapy as an adjunct doesn’t have to replace your ongoing individual therapy; it can enhance it. Partnering with an EMDR specialist from the Phoenix Center allows you to reap the rewards of both therapists concurrently. This arrangement empowers you to experience the potent effects of EMDR without disrupting your ongoing therapeutic relationship, ensuring a seamless transition back to your primary therapist. By adopting EMDR therapy as an adjunct, you open the door to transformation without bidding farewell to your current therapist. The continuity of your ongoing sessions remains intact, while you harness the power of EMDR techniques to target specific traumatic memories and emotions.
Collaborative Support for Enhanced Healing: Integrating EMDR therapy as an adjunct encourages a unique collaborative dynamic between therapists. The Phoenix Center’s EMDR specialist and your primary therapist combine their expertise to provide comprehensive and tailored support. This collaborative synergy facilitates the exchange of insights, strategies, and observations, fostering a holistic treatment plan that nurtures your well-being.
Adjunct to Ongoing Therapy
The fusion of EMDR therapy as an adjunct to ongoing individual therapy, offered by the Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy, is a potent recipe for transformation. By embracing diverse therapeutic modalities, you can cultivate fresh perspectives, encounter the focused efficacy of EMDR, maintain the momentum of ongoing therapy, and access collaborative support from a team of experts. Embark on your journey of healing and growth with the multidimensional approach that EMDR therapy as an adjunct offers, propelling you towards lasting emotional well-being.
We recognize too that engaging in therapy with two different therapists may be cost prohibitive and expensive to many. We are happy to share that we also offer low-cost EMDR therapy at the Phoenix Center through our low-cost trauma therapy program, staffed by our advanced graduate students.
Offering EMDR at the Phoenix Center in Media, PA or via TeleTherapy! 484-440-9416 | Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com
Who is appropriate for EMDR therapy?
Finally, it is important to note that not everyone is the best fit for engaging in EMDR therapy. The best candidates for EMDR are individuals who have already established a social support system, developed self-awareness, are able to regulate their emotions when overwhelmed, have already learned coping skills, and who are otherwise relatively stable in terms of suicidality, alcohol/substance abuse, other addictive behaviors, self-harm, and overall mental health. We also offer EMDR intensives, which may be best for clients who seek a more immersive treatment experience and can afford the time and financial cost of scheduling multiple hours or days of consecutive sessions.
Trauma can leave deep scars on our minds and bodies, impacting our daily lives and overall well-being. Fortunately, therapeutic approaches like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have proven to be highly effective in addressing trauma and facilitating healing. While traditional EMDR therapy sessions typically last for an hour on a weekly basis, there is an alternative approach known as EMDR intensives.
EMDR intensives are unique in that they are scheduled for multiple hours or days at a time instead of one hour a week. For example, you could engage in a half-day or an all-day EMDR intensive where you spend 3-6 hours with your therapist individually. This allows us to quickly and efficiently engage in EMDR therapy which means you can experience the relief and healing that you’ve been craving quicker.
Now Offering EMDR Intensives at the Phoenix Center in Media, PA!
Contact us for more info or to schedule:
484-440-9416 | Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com
Why Choose the Phoenix Center for EMDR Intensives?
Our staff is composed entirely of therapists who specialize in trauma therapy and have devoted their careers to learning, practicing, and teaching trauma therapy. While our staff have training and certifications in various trauma treatments, every therapist and graduate student on our team is trained in EMDR. EMDR is a common language and shared treatment philosophy and modality amongst our team which has over 25 EMDR providers. The Phoenix Center started in 2015 as a practice primarily offering EMDR therapy and has become recognized by many in the professional community as an agency providing high-quality and ethical EMDR treatment on a larger scale than nearly any other organization in the Philadelphia area.
Here’s some of the benefits of EMDR intensives compared to an hour of weekly EMDR therapy:
Immersion in the Healing Process: EMDR intensives provide a concentrated and immersive experience for trauma therapy. Unlike weekly sessions, which often include weekly updates on life, EMDR intensives allow clients to delve deeper into their traumatic experiences and work through them in a more comprehensive and accelerated manner. Continuous engagement over consecutive hours or days helps maintain momentum in the therapeutic process and prevents interruptions that may occur between weekly sessions.
Efficiency and Financial Savings: The extended session lengths, which can range from several hours to multiple days, offer a safe and contained space for individuals to engage with their trauma and explore the associated emotions and memories. In weekly sessions, there is a natural warming up and cooling down process that happens each session which limits the amount of time available for trauma processing. In a focused 4-hour EMDR intensive, we might be able to realistically accomplish what would take 8-10 weeks of weekly hour sessions. This means you can receive the EMDR treatment quicker and save money in the long run. EMDR intensives condense the therapeutic process into a shorter timeframe. This compacted schedule allows clients to make rapid progress and experience substantial shifts in their healing journey.
Deepening of the Process: The concentrated nature of EMDR intensives provides an opportunity for clients to experience transformative breakthroughs without being slowed down or interrupted by the end of the hour session. Through the extended sessions, clients can establish a heightened sense of safety and trust with their therapist, allowing for a more continuous and naturally paced exploration of their trauma.
Availability: EMDR intensives can be particularly beneficial for individuals who are seeking immediate relief or who have limited availability for long-term therapy. This is often the case for professionals who travel often for their careers or for students who have limited time before moving out of town for school. Many clients will even travel out of town to engage in an EMDR intensive when their local area is lacking in high-quality trauma treatment options.
Who is appropriate for EMDR intensives?
It is important to note that not everyone is the best fit for engaging in EMDR therapy or EMDR intensives. The best candidates for EMDR intensives are individuals who have already established a social support system, developed self-awareness, are able to regulate their emotions when overwhelmed, have already learned coping skills, and who are otherwise relatively stable in terms of suicidality, alcohol/substance abuse, other addictive behaviors, self-harm, and overall mental health. Logistically, EMDR intensives are best for clients who can afford the time and financial cost of scheduling multiple hours or days. More on who is the best fit for EMDR here.
EMDR intensives offer a powerful and transformative approach to trauma therapy. With their immersive nature, extended sessions, deeper insights, rapid progress, and comprehensive care. While weekly EMDR sessions remain valuable and effective, intensives can be particularly beneficial for those seeking a more concentrated and accelerated healing experience. If you are ready to embark on a journey of healing and transformation, EMDR intensives may be the ideal option for you.
Now Offering EMDR Intensives at the Phoenix Center in Media, PA!
The Phoenix Center offers low-cost trauma therapy and EMDR sessions through our graduate internship program. We are invested in training the best experiential trauma therapists in the field. You can trust that you will experience excellent quality clinical services provided by Phoenix Trauma Center interns. Our interns receive regular training and 2-3 hours of weekly supervision from our director Dr. Scott Giacomucci, DSW, LCSW, BCD, CGP, FAAETS, TEP.
Interns also receive weekly supervision from an additional supervisor at the Phoenix Center – in addition to supervision provided by their university program (professors and field placement liaison). They participate in regular trainings and professional development to increase their understanding and expertise of trauma. Each of our interns are offered opportunities for training in EMDR, psychodrama, and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Our interns support our therapists co-leading psychotherapy groups and are engaged in leading their own free or low-cost community groups.
Intern’s sessions start at $85 (with a very flexible sliding scale) Contact us to secure your spot – Support@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com | 484-440-9416
As noted, by our friends at Spilove Psychotherapy, there are many benefits to working with a graduate intern which includes lower costs, receiving the expertise of multiple supervising therapists, the benefits of ‘beginner’s mind’, increased passion, and up-to-date practice standards.
Lower-Cost Therapy Sessions – Our interns are all masters-level students towards the end of their programs and getting ready to enter the field. Nevertheless, their session fees are half or one-third of what other therapists charge; and they can be very flexible with their sliding scales.
Receiving the Expertise of Multiple Supervising Therapists – All interns are receiving supervision, training, teaching, and oversight from multiple experienced therapists. This includes weekly supervision with Phoenix Center’s director and another therapists from our center – as well as oversight and/or teaching from multiple professors and a field placement liaison from their university graduate program. Most interns are actively engaged in more reflection, training, supervision, and professional development than other professionals who have already graduated. This means that your intern therapist is spending hours each week reading, writing, reflecting, discussing, and reviewing their work – actively trying to be the best that they can be.
The Benefits of ‘Beginner’s Mind’ – Though many of our intern therapists have experience in the mental health field already or have years of experience in another field, they are starting a new chapter in their professional journey and becoming a therapist. Interns are just starting out so they aren’t just going through the motions of being a therapist. Interns are exploding with curiosity, excitement, passion, and creativity!
Increased Passion and Energy – Interns aren’t weighted down by years of vicarious trauma or burnout that sometimes impact experienced therapists. Instead, intern therapists are bringing new energy, spontaneity, and passion into their work each day. They are excited to begin a new career that they have been preparing for and eager to offer the compassion, connection, and validation that you might be craving.
State-of-the-Art Practice Standards – Graduate students are actively engaged in intense learning through reading, discussions, reflection, and supervised practice. Our field is evolving rapidly (especially with new research findings related to trauma and the brain). Most therapists in PA are only required to complete 15 hours of continuing education each year which simply isn’t enough to stay current on all the new findings in the field. Graduate students however are learning state-of-the-art practice standards. Intern therapists enter the field while continuing to pursue rigorous studies providing current information about the practice of psychotherapy.
