EMDR Therapy
In-Person in Kingston, NY and Online Across the State of New York
What is EMDR?
EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy) is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. EMDR therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences (Maxfield, 2019). EMDR therapy has even been superior to Prozac in trauma treatment (Van der Kolk et al., 2007). Shapiro and Forrest (2016) share that more than 7 million people have been treated successfully by 110,000 therapists in 130 countries since 2016.
Is EMDR Right for Me?
Do you find yourself feeling stuck and hitting the same walls in life? Often, people can have the experience of knowing something logically but not truly feeling or believing that thing. It is as if the head knows, but the heart and body are not yet on board. If you have been in therapy but find yourself coming to the same conclusions without feeling or seeing much change, EMDR may be for you. Determining if EMDR therapy is the right fit for you involves considering various factors. Firstly, assess whether you have experienced traumatic events or distressing memories that significantly impact your mental well-being. EMDR is particularly effective for individuals dealing with trauma, PTSD, or anxiety stemming from past experiences. I offer free consultations where I can provide personalized insights into whether EMDR aligns with your specific needs and goals, ensuring that you make an informed decision about pursuing EMDR therapy or if I think another modality could better suit you and your unique experience.
EMDR Therapy Can Help With
Trauma Recovery and PTSD
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Anxiety and Panic Disorders
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Grief and Loss
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Relationship concerns
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Self-Esteem
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Self-Worth
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Racial and Cultural Trauma
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Trauma Recovery and PTSD 〰️ Anxiety and Panic Disorders 〰️ Grief and Loss 〰️ Relationship concerns 〰️ Self-Esteem 〰️ Self-Worth 〰️ Racial and Cultural Trauma 〰️
Adjunctive EMDR
Already Working with a Therapist? EMDR Can Still Benefit You
Adjunctive EMDR therapy can be a valuable complement to ongoing therapeutic work with another therapist. While you may already be engaged in traditional talk therapy, incorporating EMDR as an adjunctive approach can offer unique benefits. EMDR focuses on the reprocessing of distressing memories through guided bilateral stimulation, helping to alleviate the emotional charge associated with traumatic experiences. This targeted intervention can enhance the overall therapeutic process, facilitating a more efficient resolution of past traumas and accelerating emotional healing. The collaborative effort between your primary therapist and myself as an EMDR practitioner ensures a comprehensive approach to addressing your mental health needs. The integration of EMDR into your existing therapeutic framework can contribute to a more holistic and effective treatment plan, offering additional tools and perspectives to support your journey towards mental well-being.
Q&A about my approach to care
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Every individual is the expert on their own lives – including their experiences within their various backgrounds and identities. I approach everything in life with a respectful degree of curiosity. I do not make sweeping assumptions and instead will ask questions when needed. I do not shy away from parts of life I do not understand, as I find it to be unhelpful to avoid learning about pieces of you that are so important.
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I have always been a very curious person, and that curiosity led me to become a clinical social worker. Before becoming a therapist, I spent a few years in Ireland working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/D). During that time, I watched as communities and systems worked to treat physical symptoms without addressing underlying emotional concerns. This was a similar experience to things I’ve witnessed my entire life. From there, the desire to understand how our overall well-being is deeply tied to every aspect of our lives bloomed. I started working in college mental health, transitioned into private practice, and most recently worked as a clinical director at a mental health startup. The ever-present curiosity resulted in my training in trauma-focused modalities, like IFS and EMDR, to assist clients in truly understanding and healing the root causes of emotional wounds.
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I am an out-of-network provider, and my rate is $225 per session.I am happy to help you understand any out-of-network benefits you may have and provide you with documentation for reimbursement from your insurance company.
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Beginning therapy can be uncomfortable for many reasons. I believe the biggest reason is that you are being vulnerable with a complete stranger! I would say to expect some levels of discomfort because it can feel quite unnatural at first… but give it a chance.
I generally spend time orienting you to therapy while orienting myself to you. I will generally take the lead and gather as much information as is relevant and then let our time together unfold organically.
There is nothing you need to do to prepare other than show up and be yourself. If you find it helpful, you could have in mind some key reasons why you are seeking therapy.
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While having supportive and close relationships with loved ones is invaluable, the relationship with a therapist is different for many reasons. Two of the key reasons I find are:
1. Third party perspective: At times it is nice to have someone to speak to who is able to see you with fresh eyes and can provide a more objective perspective. Everyone has stories and an idea of who you are, including loved ones. When trying to figure something out about yourselves that is sensitive, it is nice to have an outside perspective which you will get from a therapist hearing your story for the first time.
2. Trained to provide emotional support: Loved ones can be amazing, but even if they are trying their best they may not be able to understand your emotional process the way a trained professional can. Life experiences, complicated emotions, and turbulent relationships take a careful nuanced approach to help work through. Loved ones can want the best for you and at times miss the mark. Working with a therapist is akin to being with someone who can hold your feelings and help you understand your emotions.
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Lately, I have been focusing on creating a slower and more simplified life. As someone who has thrived in NYC culture, I found the phrase “slow down to speed up” very useful in my professional life. Centralizing slowing down is just as beneficial for our inner world. We often bypass difficult and pleasant emotions to focus on the next task, project, or worry. Slowing things down in therapy could be taking a challenging conversation and breaking it down frame by frame to understand what went into each exchange and how it led to the challenging experience. It could also mean breaking down that nagging habit you’ve been trying to drop by exploring which feelings come up when. This intentional witnessing of emotions helps us understand why we are doing it in the first place and where we could circumvent it. Most of us know that we live on autopilot in some areas of life, but what about the areas that aren’t as obvious? When we focus on slowing down in therapy, we bring more light and attention to unconscious processes that impact us in a big way.
