The specialization of trauma has been an interest of mine for over a decade now. The therapy approaches of EMDR and Progressive Counting (an offshoot of EMDR pioneered by Ricky Greenwald) Therapies are my favorites because I see firsthand the dramatic shifts of healing and recovery with these therapies. I also have extensive training with attachment and dissociation.
Here is a short video on EMDR that may interest you: https://youtu.be/TlJXYN9bPOg
Here you can see an intro to EMDR therapy: https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
(See Trauma & PTSD specialty page for more about trauma and my approach.)
I was trained in level 1 and 2 EMDR in 2011. I received my Certification in EMDR through EMDRIA (the oversight board of EMDR) in 2018, which is as extensive as another license. Recently I also completed my Approved Consultant status which allows me to offer consultation services for those wanting to also become Certified or also an Approved Consultant.
I am very active in the Atlanta EMDR community including becoming the Georgia EMDR Network Community Coordinator in 2019. As a Network Coordinator in Georgia, I bring renowned EMDR trainers to Georgia, host networking events, support many peer consultation groups, host an EMDR/trauma book club, and coordinate and offer regular presentations myself. I also triage EMDR referral calls/inquiries to other EMDR clinicians.
Also in Atlanta, I am part of an EMDR TRN (Trauma Response Network) which offers pro bono (6 free sessions) EMDR therapy services for DeKalb and Fulton county residents that have been a recent (within 3 months) victim of homicide, violent crime, and natural disasters, or witnessed those occurrences, including first responders. Unfortunately, with Atlanta being a major metropolis, there is a high chance Atlanta will experience a major catastrophe and the TRN can be mobilized to offer group and individual recent event trauma techniques. The sooner someone seeks trauma therapy after an intense incident, the less chance of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If you know someone that would meet this criteria and could benefit from the TRN, a referral form is in my Helpful Forms section.
Some referrals for trauma therapy have commented that they were referred because EMDR is a fast therapy to resolve trauma. EMDR can at times produce amazing results and in a short period of time. Unfortunately though, we cannot predict how fast you will move through past trauma experiences. Trauma therapy will provide relief and I am determined to facilitate that goal with each of my clients. But, many times, especially with traumas originating and chronically taking place in childhood, the therapy usually is not fast. But if you are experiencing trauma triggers on a regular basis now, the work of trauma therapy and working to alleviate symptoms is not much harder than your already triggering day to day life. I will work to make trauma therapy a bearable process.
I have provided EMDR and Progressive Counting therapy with hundreds of clients over the years. I am well trained and experienced. I have heard and witnessed the impact of the deep well of pain of distressed clients over the years. I regularly hear clients comment that they experience situations that usually would have been very triggering in the past and after trauma therapy, they are no longer triggered. Even when someone has experienced years of abusive situations, targeting a few memories or experiences with trauma therapy can bring significant relief.
With this therapy, we learn to trust our brain and body will continually work toward healing if we set the course. The brain can learn to rewire to integrate the past is past and safety and protective moments can be felt now.
Everyone processes through targets in EMDR differently. EMDR, by design, tries to make processing through your worst memories palpable by using short sets, moments of checking in, and focusing on the sensing of your body and feelings. My nature of being active and attentive to support you as you work through the hard emotions and past experiences makes processing trauma manageable. I know the courage it takes to face traumas and I will be right there with you.
