Takeaway: Difficult life experiences can keep us stuck in thoughts, memories, and behavior patterns that no longer serve us. While these patterns can be hard to shake, it is possible to change–even if you feel like you’ve tried everything. EMDR therapy in Cincinnati can help you finally break through what holds you back and find deep, lasting relief.
Have you ever wondered how people recover and thrive after difficult or traumatic experiences? It’s not just a matter of luck.
Healing isn’t always easy, but can be achieved with the right support. The good news is that there are profound, powerful, evidence-based approaches to treat trauma and facilitate deep healing. One such modality is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – the deliberate use of rhythmic eye movements to facilitate safe reprocessing of trauma.
Here, I’ll explore how EMDR therapy can provide relief from many of the symptoms and challenges associated with trauma and distressing past experiences. I’ll also discuss how working with a trained EMDR Cincinnati therapist such as myself can help you get to the roots of that trauma and process it in a healthy way.
Does this sound like you?
- Do you lose focus because your mind is preoccupied with upsetting memories of past or recent traumatic experiences?
- Do good days turn bad quickly when you become overwhelmed?
- Are feelings of anxiety and distress regular visitors?
- Do you find it hard to sleep at night due to difficult emotions and racing thoughts?
- Do you regularly experience brain fog, confusion, or dissociation?
- Do you fear a loss of control?
If this sounds like your experience, know that you’re not alone. Many of us deal with these issues and more daily and are searching for relief.
EMDR therapy in Cincinnati can help
If you’ve found yourself feeling anxious or depressed, feeling overwhelmed by trapped memories of past traumas and distressing experiences, or dealing with any of a range of other trauma symptoms, you might wonder if there’s anything at all you can do about it.
Yes, there is, and you don’t have to do it all alone. The right therapy combined with professional counseling can be a guiding light no matter what you’ve been through.
If you’ve found yourself feeling anxious or depressed, feeling overwhelmed by trapped memories of past traumas and distressing experiences, or dealing with any of a range of other trauma symptoms, you might wonder if there’s anything at all you can do about it.
Yes, there is, and you don’t have to do it all alone. The right therapy combined with professional counseling can be a guiding light no matter what you’ve been through.
So, what is EMDR exactly?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based treatment designed to tackle deep-rooted traumas and emotional struggles through a safe and guided natural healing process – side-to-side eye movements and other forms of bilateral stimulation of the brain.
How does Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) work?
The process is simple but profound. It involves bilateral stimulation (side-to-side) of the brain, usually through eye movements that mimic rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. When we enter rapid eye movement during REM sleep, the natural memory processing system in the brain activates, which facilitates deep healing.
The effect of Bilateral Stimulation on the brain
In waking life, this bilateral stimulation technique helps us activate the right and left hemispheres of the brain as we begin to reprocess painful or distressing memories and emotions associated with the traumatic event.
EMDR helps to desensitize the client to the distressing nature of the emotion or memory, thereby reducing its impact on daily life. This reduced reactivity offers clients a significant sense of relief and even a sense of empowerment and control in the face of challenging feelings.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based treatment designed to tackle deep-rooted traumas and emotional struggles through a safe and guided natural healing process – side-to-side eye movements and other forms of bilateral stimulation of the brain.
How does Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) work?
The process is simple but profound. It involves bilateral stimulation (side-to-side) of the brain, usually through eye movements that mimic rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. When we enter rapid eye movement during REM sleep, the natural memory processing system in the brain activates, which facilitates deep healing.
The effect of Bilateral Stimulation on the brain
In waking life, this bilateral stimulation technique helps us activate the right and left hemispheres of the brain as we begin to reprocess painful or distressing memories and emotions associated with the traumatic event.
EMDR helps to desensitize the client to the distressing nature of the emotion or memory, thereby reducing its impact on daily life. This reduced reactivity offers clients a significant sense of relief and even a sense of empowerment and control in the face of challenging feelings.
What to Expect at an EMDR session?
Early EMDR therapy sessions focus on exploring your views and ideas about which areas of your life are causing distress and developing effective, health-oriented coping mechanisms in the face of distress.
Later, EMDR therapists invite clients to concentrate their attention on a difficult feeling, belief, image, or memory and the body sensations associated with it. This connection between memories and present-moment body sensations is a key aspect of EMDR therapy. Therapist and client work together to shift the negative belief or memory from its place and integrate the client’s current capacity to be grounded and present, even when the memory resurfaces.
This ‘shifting’ happens through a series of lateral eye movements (visual), tones or taps (auditory), or tactile (pulse, vibration). After each ‘set’ of stimulation, clients are invited to witness the thoughts, feelings, and body sensations that come up, paving the way for transformative insights or alternative perspectives to emerge.
EMDR can serve as a standalone therapy for trauma, but it can also easily be integrated into traditional talk therapy sessions.
Hi, I’m Julie Hattershire.
I’m Julie, your professional counselor, therapist, and EMDR practitioner on this journey to whole health. I understand that choosing therapy is a deeply personal experience and that sessions are most effective where there is a tangible connection between client and therapist.
That’s why I show up to sessions as the kind of therapist I would want to see if I were the client. My best work happens with people who understand that therapy is not a magic, fix-all approach but a process, one that requires collaboration between client and therapist. I’m passionate about working with you if you are ready to show up.
Aside from my specialized training, I’ve been through my fair share of life experiences – I’ve been a parent, a spouse, a child to aging parents, and had plenty of life’s ups and downs. I’ve experienced divorce, children leaving the nest, and career changes, so I know what it’s like when the pieces fall apart. I also know what it’s like to pick up those pieces and move forward.
So, if you’re looking for positive change in your life, you’re ready to collaborate, and you value authenticity when it comes to therapy, we’ll be a good match.
My approach to EMDR in Cincinnati
I’ve seen EMDR work in ways that go far beyond the benefits of traditional therapy methods. Whether you’re struggling with traumatic memories, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or you feel overwhelmed by persistent negative thoughts and beliefs, EMDR therapy can make a big difference.
At Be Connected Counselling & Coaching, I employ EMDR as a targeted healing modality and take the time to individualize the approach for each client. This individualized approach is key – therapy has to incorporate your individual needs and circumstances to break through the normal walls we build when it comes to moving forward in our healing journey.
The shifts in perception and inner narrative that typically follow the EMDR experience are transformative. My goal is to facilitate your deep healing, and EMDR has proven time and again to help me and my clients achieve exactly that.
Who my EMDR therapy services are for
I work with many clients, including:
- Individuals
- Couples
- Parents
- Members of the LGBTQ+ community
- Men
I aim to offer comprehensive therapeutic support to meet your unique needs. I use EMDR as a dynamic approach to help couples navigate the complex terrain of relationship problems, such as communication issues, conflict, and emotional distance. I support individuals dealing with trauma, anxiety, phobias, and limiting beliefs. I work with parents as a family therapist to help them untangle complex and dysfunctional family dynamics.
I use EMDR to offer members of the LGBTQ+ community a trauma-informed approach to address issues such as discrimination, identity, relationship health, and other mental health concerns that prevail in the community. EMDR also serves as an incredibly valuable tool for men who wish to address concerns and challenges around emotional health, expectations and conditioning, and trauma.
In my practice, I use EMDR to treat a wide range of issues, including:
- Trauma and PTSD (from past or recent traumatic events)
- Anxiety disorders (including generalized anxiety, panic attacks, and eating disorders)
- Relationship issues
- Grief and loss
- Phobias and fears
- Self-esteem and self-worth
- Stress management
- Sleep issues
- Parenting challenges
- LGBTQ+ identity exploration
- Emotional awareness and expression in men
I find EMDR to be a powerful and versatile therapeutic tool, especially when combined with creative mindfulness techniques and tools for emotional resilience. Both research and personal experience prove EMDR to be a force for transformation, guiding my diverse range of clients toward a place of deep healing, self-discovery, emotional regulation, and growth.
FAQs about EMDR
Curious about how EMDR can help you? Do you have questions about insurance, safety, or success rates? Below you’ll find answers to these common questions. If you have more questions or you’re simply curious about the process, please feel free to reach out to me directly.
Is EMDR usually covered by insurance?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is not usually covered by insurance. I am an out-of-network provider, which means I’m not contracted with a particular health insurance plan. Check with your insurance provider to see if they offer out-of-network coverage for treatment as some insurance plans offer out-of-network benefits. Understand that even if your insurance only partially covers treatment, investing in your mental health is one of the most valuable investments you can make.
Who is not a good candidate for EMDR?
I’ve witnessed EMDR lead to profound transformation in my clients. However, note that EMDR may not be suitable for everybody, particularly Individuals experiencing acute psychosis or dissociative disorders. It may also be less effective for individuals experiencing severe substance use disorder (SUD).
If you’re unsure about the safety and efficacy of EMDR for you, discuss it with me or another accessible mental health professional for advice. Other approaches to healing include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS), and these may be more suitable to some individuals’ needs.
Is EMDR effective for anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders often have their roots in a past experience of distress or emotional overwhelm. EMDR tackles the root of anxiety disorders by working the natural healing and adaptive processes of the brain.
What is the success rate of EMDR therapy?
Several traumatic stress studies, such as this study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress (the official publication of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, ISTSS) highlight the efficacy of EMDR in treating symptoms related to traumatic memories. Note that success rates can vary, but most clients who receive this transformative treatment self-report major improvements in their well-being and a significant reduction in symptoms, particularly sleep issues and anxiety.
“[EMDR] therapy is recommended as an effective treatment for trauma victims by numerous organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, Department of Defense, and World Health Organization.” – Francine Shapiro, The Permanente Journal
EMDR is a heavily researched therapeutic method used by therapists all over the world. Several studies support its efficacy in treating various mental health issues, including overwhelming emotions, trapped memories, PTSD-related depression, anxiety and panic attacks, and more. According to the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), ‘more than 7 million people have been treated successfully by 110,000 therapists in 130 countries since 2016.
Book a free phone consultation today!
As a highly trained professional counselor and therapist, I’ve seen first-hand how EMDR therapy serves as a powerful intervention for trauma. Whether you desire support for your relationships or family dynamics, treatment for anxiety disorders, or help with challenging emotions, EMDR therapy and counseling can be your catalyst for incredible transformation. Contact me today to book a free phone consultation and learn more about how EMDR can transform your life.
LOCATED ONLINE & IN CINCINNATI, OH 513-294-8535
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Be Connected Counseling & Coaching
3345 Whitfield Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45220
