EMDR
EMDR, with preparation first and your hand on the brake
EMDR is a structured therapy in which you bring a hard memory to mind in small pieces while following a back-and-forth cue, such as eye movements or taps. It was developed by Francine Shapiro, and training is offered through programs approved by EMDRIA, the EMDR International Association.
Preparation comes first. We spend as many sessions as you need building ways to settle yourself, and the memory work begins only when you say you are ready. For some people the memory is a procedure, a night in the hospital or the phone call with a result.
Six things to know
What a session is like
We begin with how you are today. If we do memory work, you follow the cue for short sets, then stop and notice what changed.
The method
EMDR as set out by its developer, in phases. Yvette's training is listed on her About page.
What it is not
It is not hypnosis: you stay awake and in control. It is not a quick fix, and it does not suit every person or every moment, so we decide together whether and when to use it. Strong feelings can come up during and between sessions, and we plan for that first.
How long and how often
Yvette sets the pace with you. Some people use EMDR for a few months of sessions, others for a part of the work. There is no set number.
How it is paid
By the session, self-pay, with a monthly receipt you can send to a plan that reimburses. Your fee is given in writing before you start.
How fees workWhen to see a doctor first
Tell Yvette if a condition or a medicine affects your attention or energy on the day. EMDR is not medical treatment. For a crisis, call or text 988.
Three questions about this work
Do I have to tell you everything?
No. You can follow the cue with only a few words about what you are working on.
What if I feel worse after a session?
Some people feel tired or stirred up for a day or two. We plan for that before we start. Messages are not read right away, so if you are in crisis, call or text 988.
Can EMDR be done by video?
Yes, with a few adjustments. We try it in a session first and you decide whether it works for you.
Write to Yvette to begin
The fees page explains how paying works, with a written estimate before you start.