EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based treatment that targets distressing memories and negative core beliefs. It harnesses the body’s natural healing abilities using bilateral stimulation (sensory stimulation that crosses both sides of the body) to reprocess these memories in such a way that brings distance, closure, and peace to disturbing or traumatic memories.

EMDR relies on your nervous system’s innate ability to heal, which is largely a nonverbal process. There is less pressure to talk through and relive your traumatic memories in EMDR. EMDR is also much faster than traditional talking methods because we get out of your brain’s way and let it go to work.

While reprocessing traumatic memories can feel intense in the moment, we will always move at your pace. I will be with you throughout your journey so that you never become overwhelmed or lose control.

Treatment will never start with you diving right into your worst memories. In our first few sessions I will help you understand the process and answer all your questions. Then we’ll create a timeline of memories that you would like to target. I will also help you build self-care and coping skills in these early sessions that will help you manage anything that comes up during our trauma work.

EMDR treatment can help a wide range of symptoms, particularly those associated with PTSD, C-PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Often, symptoms such as hypervigilence, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, excessive worrying, or critical self-talk, amongst other symptoms, have roots in distressing events and memories from your past. EMDR targets those memories and reprocesses them so that your nervous system can move through and past those feelings.

You will never have to come out in our work together. All of you is always accepted in our sessions, without question.

Many folks on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum may have experienced trauma around their identities. This may be either explicit (attacks, insults, threats) or implicit (messaging from others, maybe even unintential, that your identity is somehow “wrong”). I help queer folks explore how these traumas interplay with distressing feelings and negative core beliefs, and we will collaboratively investigate whether including these memories for reprocessing in your EMDR treatment will help improve your symptoms.

I use a virtual platform that offers a variety of bilateral stimulation options. Before we get into deep trauma work, we will test everything out so that you can try visual stimulation (a dot that moves across your screen), audio stimulation (a sound that is played in alternating sides of your headphones), and tactile stimulation (self-tapping using the dot or sound as a metronome). In our work, I will guide you through your traumatic memories and run the chosen stimulation, but you are always in the driver’s seat and can always choose to take breaks or shift gears when needed.

I combine my expertise in Art Therapy and somatic approaches with EMDR. If possible, I recommend twice weekly treatment when you are doing EMDR; one session of EMDR work, and one “regular” session. The second session gives you the chance to talk further about what comes up for you in EMDR while continuing to get support around your daily stressors. This is also a great time to do some artwork if you are interested in giving Art Therapy a try.

Absolutely! I often provide EMDR to folks who are already working with another therapist. EMDR can be a supplementary approach to your treatment plan. In these cases, I will ask for your written consent for me to consult with your primary therapist so that your treatment team is all on the same page.

I am located in New York City. I only see clients virtually at this time. I can treat anyone who lives anywhere in New York state.

EMDR intensives are 3-hour long sessions where we focus entirely on deep reprocessing work. Intensives can assist you in moving through a lot of disturbing material very quickly, helping you get relief fast. This is also a great option for busy professionals who may not have room in their schedule for regular weekly sessions. Reach out using the contact form to find out if this may be an option for you.