EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is an evidenced-based treatment for treating trauma or other difficult life experiences. It was originally designed for use with PTSD, but has been studied to be effective with many types of mental health concerns and symptoms.

I use EMDR in my practice for:

• Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, relational)

• Attachment wounds

• Medical trauma

• Stress

• Migration/Immigration experience

• LGBTQ+ experience (discrimination, acceptance, microaggressions)

• Substance use

• Complex traumas (multiple traumas that may have occurred over many years)

• Early traumas (traumatic events that may have occurred when someone was very young)

• Ongoing stressors or traumas

• Recent events (car accident, natural disaster, violent incident)

• Anxiety

• Depression

I am a Certified EMDR therapist and offer a variety of ways to use EMDR in therapy, if desired and appropriate. It can be used in regular weekly therapy or through EMDR Intensives. I offer EMDR in-person (for those in Colorado) or virtually (for those in Colorado, Indiana, or Florida). EMDR is effective for both in-person and online therapy. If you do not live in Colorado but are able to travel to Denver for a weekend Intensive I can accommodate this as well.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, vibrations in hands, tones, or self-tapping) to help unlock stuck “material” (memories, emotions, body sensations) and allow the brain and body to process and integrate information the way it is naturally designed to do.

EMDR Certification involves the completion of Basic Training (40 hours of training plus 10 hours of consultation). In addition to Basic Training, therapists must complete 20 additional hours of group and individual consultation, have utilized EMDR with at least 25 clients and completed at least 50 EMDR therapy sessions, and have taken advanced EMDR trainings. Therapists are evaluated by an EMDR Consultant who affirms the therapist is competent in utilizing EMDR. Finally, therapists must keep up their certification with advanced trainings over time.

I offer EMDR Intensives for those who may want to move through their processing more quickly or do not have the time to dedicate to weekly therapy for a longer period. Typically Intensives are ideal for a client who feels comfortable and has the ability to manage difficult emotions well. Intensives are not appropriate for everyone and we will decide together what option seems like the best fit for you.

Full Intensive ($2580)

These take place over 3 days and offer an opportunity to move through many potential areas of focus or “targets” (specific events or themes) at one time. Each day consists of 4 hours of therapy and will include: assessment and history gathering, developing appropriate resources for regulation and managing high activation, identification of areas of focus, reprocessing and desensitization of those areas, and positive integration of that information in the brain and body. There will be ample time for breaks/stretching/grounding/snacks as needed.

While Intensives can be “intense” the intention is to still create a safe place where the client feels well supported and contained emotionally.

Some clients may complete all the processing in one Full Intensive and others may need to schedule follow-up Full Intensives or a Half Day Intensive. It may also be advised to have contact with a regular therapist during and after this process for additional support. This will be discussed during the assessment process.

Half Day Intensive ($860)

Half Day Intensives are 4 hours and are typically used for follow-up if everything was not completed during a Full Intensive or if a Full Intensive is not financially feasible.