EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and processing.

I like to look at EMDR in the context of a very messy office (maybe because I can so relate). Imagine walking into your office and there are papers strewn about everywhere and looking at it as a whole picture just feels like chaos. Maybe it feels overwhelming, maybe even a little hopeless. Where do you start?

EMDR is the process of looking at the papers, rather than the whole picture. It is about being able to make sense of them, determine what is, or was, valuable and what no longer serves a purpose. Maybe some of the papers are connected but you never knew because the room’s chaos was so distracting.

Now the papers can be filed away. The paper is still there, just like your traumatic experiences still happened, but they are no longer staring you in the face every day or lurking in a room you are unable to use and enjoy.

To sum up the science-y bit (what makes it evidence-based and approved by Medicare, WHO the VA etc.) we are replicating what the brain does during REM sleep. We know that the brain has a powerful ability to heal itself, we just sometimes need to help it give those memories a nudge into the “Distant Memory” file, rather than the “Urgent/Fight or Flight” file.

We will let your brain guide us towards what it needs to heal, in a process that is sort of like free association. There is no right way to do this, whatever comes up for you - we simply follow along. The eye movement piece can be added a number of ways depending on your preference. Sometimes we use my online platform where you can follow a colored circle back and forth across the screen. We can also use a pair of earbuds or headphone and play a tone in alternate ears, back and forth. For face-to-face sessions, I have a pair of hand-held buzzers we can use that vibrate softly in one hand then the other.

Absolutely! I believe that it is a misconception that everyone walks into therapy ready to unpack Pandora’s Box and start EMDR. Particularly for individuals who have experienced unstable attachments and relationships very early in life, the process of building rapport and trust is vital. This is our top priority when beginning our therapy journey together.

If you are uncomfortable with the eye movements (following a light back and forth across a light bar or your computer screen) we can also use a sound or tone that plays through a headset in alternate ears. For in person clients, I have a set of handheld buzzers that alternately vibrate as you hold them in each hand.

If after we have learned some self-regulation skills and softly tiptoed the waters you still feel that EMDR isn’t a good fit, there are a number of other approaches we can take based upon the same ideas. The concepts behind EMDR continue to be powerful without eye-movement, sounds or vibrations.

You do not! I offer telehealth services throughout the state of Oklahoma in addition to limited in-office sessions based on availaility.

My current scope of practice as a candidate allows me to work with private pay clients. My rate is $120/session.

I think that it is important to note that I am here to work with you under the supervision and guidance of my current agency and LPC Supervisor vs. for your insurance company. I believe that the most effective care includes tailoring each treatment plan to include the unique needs of the individual.

My session rate is $120/hour.