EMDR Therapy

Do you struggle with disturbing memories, nightmares or flashbacks?
Have you experienced a childhood trauma?
Have you been the victim of sexual abuse or assault?
Do you have disturbing memories from the past?
Are you afraid of being alone but also finding it difficult to trust others?

A past or current trauma can impact every area of your life. Trauma can take on many forms, including a car accident, the death of a loved one or ongoing exposure to violence.

EMDR can help you find profound relief.

We have two trauma therapists, including Yvany Peery, LICSW. Ms. Peery is trained in EMDR and has helped hundreds of clients.

Call us today at (202) 588-1288 or email us at info@dctalktherapy.com to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation and start feeling better.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based, structured type of psychotherapy primarily used to treat trauma-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Developed in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro, numerous scientific research studies have shown EMDR to be the most effective psychological treatment for healing PTSD.

EMDR treats:

PTSD
Childhood trauma
Sexual abuse
Interpersonal violence
Grief
Addiction
Eating disorders

Get Started with a Free Consultation

Treat your trauma or PTSD with EMDR therapy.

Call us today at 202-588-1288 or email us at info@dctalktherapy.com to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation and start feeling better.

Call (202) 588-1288

Text (202) 588-1288

Make an Appointment

Traumatic memories are stored in the brain differently than other kinds of memories. During a traumatic event, the fight-or-flight response kicks in to cope with the immediate situation.

EMDR shifts how trauma is stored in the brain and reduces the disturbing emotions, sensations, symptoms and beliefs associated with those experiences. Through the use of eye movements, EMDR therapy fundamentally changes the way the memory is stored.

EMDR therapy is an eight-phase treatment modality, and it includes much more than just eye movements.

The eight phases of EMDR treatment:

1. History taking and treatment planning – This involves your therapist getting to know you through sharing your history, with an emphasis on traumatic events you’d like to work through.
2. Preparation – Your therapist will share what the process of EMDR looks like and answer any questions you may have. They’ll also share grounding and coping skills that you can turn to if you’re feeling overwhelmed during a session.
3. Assessment – During this phase you’ll identify the events, thoughts, feelings, beliefs that you’d like to target for reprocessing.
4. Desensitization – This is the phrase that people usually think of when they hear EMDR. During this time, your therapist will use bilateral stimulation techniques (either auditory, visual or tactile stimulations that involve both sides of the body).
5. Installation – During this phase, you’ll learn how to create and associate new positive, core beliefs that will replace traumatic memories.
6. Body scan – You’ll be prompted to scan your body and share the sensation you’re experiencing, while keeping in mind your traumatic event and positive belief.
7. Closure – Once the reprocessing has taken place, your therapist will help ensure that you’re feeling grounded and calm to help you return to the present moment. You may be asked to share your thoughts, feelings and reactions to the traumatic event, as well as how you’re feeling in your body.
8. Reevaluation – At the start of each session, your therapist will revisit your thoughts, feelings and beliefs about the event as well as your distress level to assess progress. Together, you may identify and address additional traumatic memories to reprocess in subsequent sessions.