Neurodiversity Affirming EMDR Intensives and Weekly Sessions

What is it: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Since its 1989 inception, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has transformed from a PTSD desensitization technique to a comprehensive psychotherapy approach for various clinical issues across diverse populations. Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, eating disorders and ongoing traumatic and distressing life experiences.

Emdr uses parts work, somatic techniques, imagery, mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy and is incredibly customizable for autistic clients, ADHDers and AUDHDers and to be used as part of gender affirming care.

Phases: EMDR is a phase based approach and there are 8 phases. The first phase is history taking. Getting your history is a key part of the EMDR treatment process. I want to get to know you and your life experiences, as well as the stressors and symptoms you're dealing with that you want to work on together. Talking about your history also helps us to connect past experiences that may be connected to present difficulties and future fears. In the Resourcing Phase we develop and “install “ tools AKA resources through using slow bilateral stimulation (tapping, eye movement, audio or other sensory methods ) to enhance positive feelings associated with coping strategies, special interests (SPINS), pleasant memories, relational resources, animal resources, and more. These can be used for nervous system support on your own and in between sessions and we also will use them during and after processing sessions as needed. In the processing phases we use bilateral stimulation to reduce distress from past events, negative or stuck beliefs and present triggers and in the installation phase we support the nervous system and allow you to form more positive or adaptive beliefs about yourself and the world that will support you in being your authentic self.

The amazing thing about EMDR is that the resolution tends to more thorough and long standing than talk therapy, as we can address the root of the problem, any present triggers associated with the problem and any future scenarios that may be creating anticipatory anxiety or avoidance patterns.

Adults : Shir provides EMDR and EMDR intensives with adults.

Children, Teens and Young adults: Shir utilizes EMDR , which is a therapeutic approach comprised of many specialized protocols and procedures, as a brain based tool in ongoing affirmative therapy for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. This has been effective as an approach complex trauma and dissociation, bullying, grief/loss, internalized transphobia, perfectionism , test anxiety, performance anxiety, body image and disordered eating, and depression that has not responded to other approaches.

EMDR For PTSD that cooccurs with OCD and/ or disordered eating and eating disorders :

• as part of a phase based approach and In conjunction with Inference based CBT and / or ERP- EMDR is beneficial to enhance OCD treatment.

• With eating disorders, the stabilization phase of emdr includes stabilization of nutrition and medical needs relating to the eating disorder, which occur before the later processing phases take place.

Note: Like many other professionalized healing approaches, bilateral Stimulation was not started by white trauma specialists. While emdr was technically founded by Dr. Francine Shapiro it’s important to note that bilateral stimulation has long been used within Indigenous and African healing traditions, something that goes unrecognized when emdr is presented as a novel approach founded by a white clinician. This is also true for somatic therapy and many other professionalized healing approaches. Emdr is not the only therapy used for PTSD and other approaches Can be integrated with it. Emdr can also be utilized in a way that is centered on your own set of healing traditions and practices and to help you ground and center in your community level resilience resources.

Emdr certified: Shir is an EMDR certified therapist and Consultant in Training. Certified therapists must meet a number of criteria to go from “EMDR Trained” to “EMDR Certified.” This includes advanced trainings , 20 hours of consultation and completion of at least 50 emdr sessions with at least 25 clients .

another option…EMDR Intensives

• Free 15-minute consultation to assess for eligibility.

• Care coordination with providers

• Treatment workbook for use before, during and after sessions.

• A 90 minute first session focusing on assessment and resourcing. During this session we will review history, do a series of customized assessments, map out a visual, easy to follow treatment plan and install resources in preparation for processing.

• Two Three-Hour sessions, or 4 90-minute EMDR intensive sessions are in person or virtual.

• A 15 minute follow-up call or video meeting to help you decide your next steps and get any additional resources or referrals you need.

  See Services for details on fees for EMDR in its various formats and time lengths

Contact if you’re ready to sign up !