Set-up Stage: A Personalized Beginning

During the set-up stage, EMDR aligns with typical therapy introductions, delving into individual needs and goals. Unlike other therapies, EMDR requires no homework, with all necessary work occurring within sessions to achieve weekly objectives.

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The primary focus of EMDR is trauma, encompassing both single-event and ongoing contexts. EMDR enables individuals to reprocess past traumas, promoting healthy resolution of experiences that were previously difficult to process during the initial trauma.

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Work Stage: Tapping into Transformation

The "work" stage involves reprocessing through the renowned "tapping," following a therapist's fingers, or bilateral stimulation (BLS). This technique unlocks mental states blocked by trauma, allowing individuals to revisit and reprocess distressing memories with positive cognitions. The result is the gradual relief from previously "stuck" traumas.

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Maintaining Progress Stage: Bridging Past and Future Triggers

Moving into the "maintaining the work" stage, EMDR extends skills, reprocessing, and BLS towards future triggers. This includes imagining the scene of a past trauma or encountering situations reminiscent of past abuse. The process remains consistent: guided through BLS, clients share their experiences, and positive cognitions are reinforced to counter fears and anxieties associated with triggers.

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EMDR's Unique Approach: Active Participation in Healing

EMDR stands out by actively involving individuals in their healing journey. While a strong therapeutic relationship is vital, EMDR equips individuals to confront challenging issues and is supported by research in aiding the recovery from both single incidents and ongoing past traumas. Experience the transformative power of EMDR and take an active role in your healing process.

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What Should I Expect for my First Session?

For the first few sessions of EMDR, things look similarly to other forms of therapy. Through inventories, questionnaires, and direct inquiry, the client and therapist figure out what they are working on and how they're going to work on it. The first part is similar to other therapies; how was your childhood, what are current stressors in your life, and so on. The second part is where EMDR is different. Through guided meditation, the therapist teaches clients how to arrive at states that help provide immediate relief, such as the calm place. As the problem and goal are identified that should be worked on, then clients should expect the bilateral stimulation, reprocessing of trauma, and installation of healthy thoughts about themselves in the place of unhealthy thoughts they have due to their trauma. 

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Experience the Transformative Power of EMDR at Fircrest Behavioral Health

Embark on your healing journey with Fircrest Behavioral Health and take control of your trauma recovery. Our empowering EMDR therapy combines a hands-on approach, research-backed effectiveness, and active participation, allowing you to navigate and overcome the impact of both single-event and ongoing traumas. Discover the transformative power of EMDR and embrace a new chapter in your healing process with Fircrest.