East TN EMDR, LLC

Q: What if I know I want help feeling better but I can’t find one memory that is responsible for my symptoms?

A: You don’t have to know everything in your “head” because the information is somewhere in your body. Between EMDR and a really good therapist, it’s highly likely your system will be able to do what it needs to do to get you relief.

Q: How does it work?

A: You were born with an information processing system that we will activate while you are thinking about a distressing event. Using the well-researched techniques incorporated in my training from the EMDR Institute you and I will work together to help your memory network better “digest” information and move it into the past where it belongs. This usually happens over several sessions. It could take five or more sessions depending on the issue and the amount of unprocessed trauma involved.

Q: What do I need to do to prepare for EMDR?

A: Very little, you already have everything you need. I recommend being properly nourished and hydrated before your sessions. Depending on the material being processed you may feel tired after a processing session so you might plan on having someone drive you home afterward. You may not have the energy to go back to work, cook dinner, do chores or engage in planned social activities afterward. You will have plenty of notice before a processing session so you can plan accordingly. It’s important to remember that EMDR work tends to conclude more quickly than talk therapy, so this is expected to be shorter term than talk therapy.

Q: I have religious trauma, how can I be sure I feel safe with you?

A: You can’t know for sure until you and I actually meet. My office environment does not have items displayed that are typically associated with spirituality or religion. My attire won’t include items typically associated with spirituality or religion. I will ask about your beliefs as we discuss what coping skills you have. I invite you to use or not use your spirituality as needed in your therapy. I do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, ability, genetic information, or type of romantic partnership. I will always be honored that you have chosen me to help you feel better.

Q: Do you work with children?

A: At this time I am not seeing children, but please check back!

Q: I don’t live close enough to drive to your office to engage in EMDR. Can we do EMDR over telehealth?

A: EMDR can be done over telehealth depending upon the technology you are using. You will need reliable internet service. Our mobile phones will need to stay available as back-up in case we have tech issues, and they will happen! I will be happy to discuss this more in depth with you during your first session. Please note while we can work via telehealth, in person sessions are preferred for many reasons to include your privacy. At this time I am only able to work with clients who are physically in the state of TN when they have sessions.

Q: Can medication impact EMDR?

A: Yes, certain substances could interfere with your system’s ability to process as fully as it could without substances. If you have to take certain prescription medication you are highly likely to still experience a great deal of relief with EMDR, meaning it’s still worth the effort to engage in EMDR. If one is planning to drink alcohol or take certain other substances within about 48 hours after an EMDR session one might consider planning an EMDR session for another day.

Q: How do I know if I should try EMDR?

A: If you are frustrated with yourself because you “should be over it by now,” or think “I know it doesn’t make sense to feel like this but I can’t help it” when you think about something bad that happened to you, these are flags to me that something didn’t get processed as thoroughly as maybe it could with EMDR. Other signs include experiencing something as intensely today as it was when it happened like images, feelings, bodily sensations, and dreams / nightmares. Even if it happened many years ago. These can be your body’s attempts to process the event by itself and it just needs a bit of help to move the process along. Another sign may be if it seems like you have hit a wall in talk therapy about a particular event or issue.

Q: What can EMDR help with?

A: I have used EMDR to help people resolve issues including: reproductive loss, medical trauma, attachment trauma, fear of vomiting, fear of enclosed spaces, traumatic pet loss, car accidents, sexual trauma, sexual issues, panic attacks, anxiety, physical assault, physical abuse, jealousy, insecurity, inferiority, anger, workplace trauma, issues affecting first responders. For a more inclusive list of issues EMDR can help with please visit www.emdr.com

Q: Can I submit the paperwork the day of the session?

A: I enjoy all the hats I wear as a solo private practitioner and strive to keep a smaller caseload so I can meet my clients’ needs in a timely manner. While I can usually offer sessions the same week we “meet” on the phone, you will need enough time to complete the paperwork and I will need enough time to process it. Therefore if all intake paperwork is not submitted at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled appointment and before 12pm Thursday for a Monday appointment, the appointment will be cancelled and you will need to reschedule. If you haven’t been able to complete the paperwork just let me know and I’m happy to reschedule for a day that works better for you!