Healing Trauma with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR Therapy in El Dorado Hills
At Every Heart Dreams Counseling, our group practice specializes in EMDR therapy for clients throughout El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Placerville, Folsom, and Sacramento. This powerful therapeutic approach helps process traumatic memories and distressing life experiences, allowing you to move forward with renewed peace and resilience.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is an evidence-based treatment recognized by the World Health Organization and American Psychiatric Association for addressing trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR therapy has helped millions worldwide process disturbing events and traumatic experiences.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR therapy utilizes bilateral stimulation—typically through guided eye movements—while briefly focusing on traumatic memories. This unique approach activates your brain's natural healing process, helping to transform how traumatic memories are stored and experienced.
How EMDR Therapy Works
During a typical EMDR therapy session at our El Dorado Hills practice, you'll work with a trained therapist who guides you through an eight-phase treatment protocol:
History and Planning: We gather information about your specific needs and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Preparation: You'll learn self-regulation techniques to manage any distress that may arise during processing.
Assessment: Together, we identify specific traumatic memories and the negative beliefs associated with them.
Desensitization: Using bilateral stimulation, you'll process the targeted memory while simultaneously experiencing eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation.
Installation: We strengthen positive beliefs to replace negative self-perceptions connected to the trauma.
Body Scan: We address any residual physical sensations related to the memory.
Closure: Each session ends with stabilization techniques.
Reevaluation: We continually assess progress and adjust the approach as needed.
The bilateral stimulation used in EMDR—whether through eye movements, tactile taps, or auditory tones—appears to help the brain process traumatic memories in a way similar to what occurs naturally during REM sleep. This process helps reduce the emotional charge of these memories, allowing them to be integrated as past experiences rather than present threats.
Conditions Treated with EMDR Therapy
Our EMDR practice specializes in treating a wide range of trauma-related concerns:
Additional Applications
Anxiety Disorders: Panic attacks, phobias, and generalized anxiety
Depression: When connected to traumatic or disturbing events
Self-Esteem Issues: Addressing negative beliefs formed through difficult experiences
Performance Anxiety: Overcoming mental blocks and performance issues
Sleep Disturbances: Processing underlying causes of nightmares and insomnia
Relationship Difficulties: When impacted by past traumatic experiences
Stress Management: Processing stressful events before they become overwhelming
Our therapists are skilled in adapting EMDR protocols for different age groups, including children, teens, young adults, and families affected by shared traumatic experiences.
Trauma Recovery and PTSD Symptoms
Single trauma victims (accidents, injuries, assaults)
Multiple trauma victims with complex histories
Childhood trauma and adverse experiences
Medical trauma and related chronic pain
Grief and traumatic loss
Combat-related trauma and veterans affairs cases
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related symptoms
The EMDR Experience at Every Heart Dreams Counseling
What to Expect in Your Sessions
When you begin EMDR therapy at our El Dorado Hills group practice, we first establish safety and stability. Your therapist will ensure you have the necessary coping skills before beginning the processing phases of treatment.
During processing sessions, you'll briefly focus on specific aspects of traumatic memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation. You remain fully conscious and in control throughout the process. Many clients appreciate that EMDR often requires less detailed verbal description of traumatic events than other therapies, making the process more comfortable.
Treatment Timeline
The length of EMDR treatment varies based on your unique circumstances. Some clients with single incident traumas may experience significant relief in fewer sessions, while those with complex trauma histories typically benefit from longer treatment. Sessions generally last 60-90 minutes and are usually scheduled weekly.
Throughout treatment, we continuously evaluate your progress according to established treatment guidelines, making adjustments as needed to ensure the most effective outcomes for your mental health.
Why Choose EMDR Therapy?
Evidence-Based Effectiveness
Extensive research supports EMDR therapy as an effective treatment for psychological trauma. Studies published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress Studies and various clinical psychiatry journals demonstrate that EMDR can:
Significantly reduce PTSD symptoms
Decrease anxiety and depression related to traumatic experiences
Improve overall mental health and quality of life
Provide lasting relief that persists after treatment ends
How EMDR Differs from Other Therapies
EMDR therapy offers several advantages compared to other treatment approaches:
Efficiency: Many clients experience meaningful results in fewer sessions than with traditional talk therapy alone.
Less Verbal Processing: EMDR doesn't require extensively discussing disturbing details, unlike extended exposure or imaginal exposure techniques.
Physical Integration: EMDR addresses both the psychological and physical components of trauma through attention to body sensations and physical responses.
Adaptive Processing: Rather than just managing symptoms, EMDR helps reprocess the traumatic memories themselves, often leading to more complete resolution.
EMDR Integrated with Our Other Services
At Every Heart Dreams Counseling, we often combine EMDR therapy with other evidence-based approaches for comprehensive care:
DBT Therapy: Enhances emotional regulation skills to support trauma processing
Trauma-Informed Yoga: Addresses the physical manifestations of trauma
Brainspotting: Complements EMDR with another eye-position based approach
Family Therapy: Addresses how trauma impacts family systems
This integrated approach allows us to customize treatment to your specific needs and circumstances.
Is EMDR Right for You?
EMDR may be particularly helpful if you:
Experience intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares
Feel emotionally triggered by reminders of past events
Notice patterns of reaction that seem disproportionate to current situations
Struggle with negative beliefs about yourself related to past experiences
Have physical reactions when reminded of traumatic events
Have tried other therapy approaches with limited success
During your initial consultation, our therapists will assess whether EMDR is appropriate for your specific situation and recommend the most effective treatment path.
Real Results from EMDR Therapy
At our El Dorado Hills practice, we've witnessed the transformative power of EMDR therapy for many clients. While each person's experience is unique, clients frequently report:
Reduced intensity of traumatic memories and upsetting memories
Decreased reactivity to trauma reminders
Improved ability to engage in meaningful relationships
Greater capacity to experience joy in daily life
More positive beliefs about themselves and their future
Relief from anxiety and traumatic stress
Improved physical symptoms related to trauma
Rather than merely managing symptoms, EMDR therapy addresses the root causes of distress, often leading to more comprehensive healing.
Our EMDR Specialists
Every Heart Dreams Counseling's group practice includes therapists specifically trained and certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Our specialists have completed comprehensive training in clinical practice and continue to advance their skills through ongoing education.
Each therapist brings unique expertise to their EMDR work while maintaining fidelity to the evidence-based protocol developed by Francine Shapiro.
Beginning Your EMDR Journey
Starting EMDR therapy at our practice begins with:
Initial Consultation: A thorough assessment to understand your history and treatment goals
Treatment Planning: Developing a personalized approach to address your specific needs
Preparation Phase: Building necessary coping skills before beginning processing work
Our team will guide you through each step, ensuring you feel informed and comfortable throughout the process.
Serving El Dorado Hills and Surrounding Communities
Our group practice provides EMDR therapy to clients throughout:
El Dorado Hills
Cameron Park
Placerville
Folsom
Sacramento
We offer convenient scheduling options and a supportive environment for your healing journey.
Contact Us to Learn More
Ready to explore how EMDR therapy might help you overcome traumatic memories and other distressing life experiences? Contact our group practice today to schedule a consultation.
Our team will answer your questions about EMDR therapy and help determine if this approach is right for your unique situation. We'll also discuss appointment availability and insurance options to make treatment accessible.
EMDR therapy at Every Heart Dreams Counseling offers a path to processing difficult memories in a safe, supportive environment. Through this evidence-based approach, you can find relief from symptoms that have persisted for years and discover a renewed sense of hope and possibility.
EMDR therapy is one of several treatment options offered at our group practice. We believe in personalized care and will work with you to determine the most appropriate approach for your specific needs.