How Do I Know It Works?
​With EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), you do not need to tell your therapist a moment-to-moment account of your traumatic experience, like in some other therapies. You do not need complete any written homework. Your therapist will help guide you and keep you on track, but most of the work takes place internally without much talking. You will have to work your brain a bit harder and you will get in touch with how your body feels certain emotions. If you have tried other kinds of trauma-focused therapy without success, or if you are looking for a more gentle way of working through your trauma, then EMDR is your best bet.
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EMDR trauma therapy involves eight stages, including finding "targets" to process. These targets might represent the worst moments in your life. But instead of just talking about these, I will help you identify certain beliefs and images associated with them. From there, you will use Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) while simultaneously letting your mind wander through these images and memories. BLS basically means stimulating both sides of your brain by using your eyes to look different directions, or using your hands to tap both left and right. This might seem like a lot to juggle while thinking about traumatic memories, but getting your brain fired up is part of the point.
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Are You Looking For A Different Way To Deal With Trauma?
There is a substantial evidence base on EMDR, you can read a lot of the research here.
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I understand your reservation.
The good news, however, is that with the help of a compassionate, experienced trauma therapist you can face this and actually feel better. This process has been studied, quite a lot.
Trauma Therapy is Effective
If you have experienced chronic invalidation and emotional abuse from caregivers, a terrible accident, violence, sexual assault, death of loved ones, or the horrors of war, I have helped people like you face inner pain and come out the other side. Trauma focused counseling is inherently challenging and requires an experienced professional. At Witt Psychotherapy, I use an integrative approach that follows the three phases of recovery from trauma.
I am trained provider of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is more bodily focused type of trauma treatment. I am a trained and certified provider of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), which is an evidence based way to address your beliefs about trauma and how you have been affected by it. To deal with emotional difficulties and resistance, I lean on Experiential Dynamic Therapy (EDT) to elicit feelings so that we can work with them. There are exceedingly few providers in San Antonio that work this way, so you will be getting a unique experience.
In our sessions, we’ll address your unique needs and utilize inner strength to do the work required to get out of the woods. I've met with many clients who had tried trauma therapy before and had not found it helpful. When the therapist tries to go by the book, it can feel impersonal and superficial. The most common feedback I receive from clients is that they learned a lot about themselves that they were not aware of, even after the first session. They feel differently about themselves, their past, and their future.
Questions About Trauma Therapy
This Sounds Terrifying. What If Therapy Makes Things Worse?
Deciding not to get help for a problem right now could allow the problem to grow in a few months or years. Trauma reactions not only affect our emotion regulation but also our behavior, our relationships, our career, and more. The avoidance of doing the difficult work now leads to long term pain, even though avoiding it may feel better in the short term. With an experienced therapist, you can expected to be guided through the tough parts to get out on the other side. It gets easier.
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I Think That I Need Help, But I’ve Heard That Therapy Can Be Expensive.
Therapy is an investment in yourself and in your relationships. By facing these issues within a strong partnership, you can significantly reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety that arise when life inevitably gets hard. Additionally, taking time to grow your strengths now will prevent significant and costly difficulties in the future like stress-related health issues, divorce, career problems, and hospitalization.
If you would like to schedule an appointment or discuss any questions you may have regarding trauma therapy, use the contact form on the top of the page or click the green scheduling buttons. I am also available at 210-660-8080 or at justin@wittpsychotherapy.com
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In-Network Insurances
Standard Rates
Free
15 Minute Initial Phone Consultation
$125
55 Minute Individual Therapy Session