EMDR Therapy in St. Petersburg, FL

Healing starts here

“The essence of trauma is a disconnect from the self. Therefore the essence of healing is not just uncovering one’s past, but reconnecting with oneself in the present.”

— Gabor Mate

What is trauma?

Trauma occurs from the ways in which our brains and bodies respond to an overwhelming experience. It is not the experience itself, but the meaning we create from the experience and how it shapes our development, self-perception, and worldview. An additional piece of importance is that trauma results when the experience happens in the absence of an attuned relationship. If there is no one to witness, affirm, and respond to the overwhelming experience that occurred, then the experience is felt in isolation.

There are many different forms of trauma. A common misconception is that trauma is only single-incident events, such as car accidents and natural disasters, etc.; however, trauma can also come from ongoing overwhelming experiences. Multiple adverse experiences create what is called complex trauma, or sometimes cPTSD. Developmental trauma encompasses overwhelming experiences that occurred specifically during early childhood years. Trauma can also come from what did not happen, opposed to what did happen. For example, emotional neglect is a a form of trauma that comes from not having needs for love, affection, closeness, support, and connection met in relationships.

How do I know if I have experienced trauma?

Trauma can show up in many ways. It often shows up unconsciously and out of our awareness. Here are some indicators that what you are experiencing could be from trauma:

replaying distressing memories from the past in your head, often intrusively
overreactions or intense reactions that are disproportionate to the situation
avoidance of people, places, and things that remind you of past overwhelming and/or distressing experiences
body symptoms, such as chronic stomach issues, digestive issues, migraines, rashes, inflammation, fatigue, poor concentration, heart racing, difficulty breathing, sleep issues
mind-body disconnect
anxiety, hypervigilance, constantly alert and feeling on edge
depression, sadness, feeling shut down or numb
mood instability
unstable and/or codependent relationships
loud inner critic, shame, self-hatred
chronic feeling of emptiness and/or loneliness
feeling unsafe in the world, around people, and/or within your body

“If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy, shame can’t survive. ”

— Brene Brown

How do I heal from trauma?

There are myriad paths to healing. Rooted Wellness Center offers holistic psychotherapy with a trauma-informed therapist using mind-body therapies. EMDR is a comprehensive therapy that reprocesses traumatic memories stored in the mind and body. It is highly effective and results in transformational change.

What is EMDR?

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The Theory

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy developed in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro. It has been extensively researched and proven to be a gold-standard treatment for PTSD. While originally designed to treat PTSD, it has since been found to be effective for the recovery of a variety of mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and panic disorders.

The Goal

The primary goal of EMDR is to help you heal trauma so you feel better. EMDR aims to reduce emotional distress from past experiences that are impacting you now.

How It Works

Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR uses a unique process called bilateral stimulation, which activates both sides of your brain during the processing of past memories and recent events. This increase of electrical activity allows the brain to make mental connections resulting in improved emotional processing. There are several modes of bilateral stimulation. EMDR was originally developed using lateral eye movements. Since its conception, other modes of stimulation have been found to be effective, such as tactile and audio stimulation.

The Process

STEP ONE: Consultation Call. We will have a phone call to determine if we feel like a good match-energetically, clinically, and logistically.

STEP TWO: History and Assessment. The first few sessions are for gathering information about your life history, such as your family of origin, relationships, and distressing life events. We will also discuss potential life events and/or memories that we will process using EMDR.

STEP THREE: Preparation. This period is when I offer education on the brain, nervous system, the effects of trauma, and more detail on how EMDR works through memory reconsolidation. I will also teach you skills and techniques on how to regulate your emotions and how to self-soothe when needed throughout the EMDR process and beyond. You will also have a chance during this period to try the various modes of bilateral stimulation to see what modes suit you best.

STEP FOUR: Desensitization and Reprocessing. We will use bilateral stimulation to reduce the emotional charge of past memories and reprocess them so that the effects of past events will no longer cause distress in your current life.

STEP FIVE: Regular Sessions. For the best results, we will need to meet regularly. Weekly sessions are highly recommended until significant progress is made. Once significant progress is made, we can discuss reducing sessions to biweekly and eventually to monthly maintenance sessions if desired.