Annie Wright - Your Guide To Relational Trauma Recovery
I help adult children of mood- and personality-disordered parents overcome the impacts of their past so they can have the best adulthood possible.
ONE-ON-ONE services
EMDR Therapy Intensives
In addition to my weekly therapy sessions, I also offer EMDR therapy intensives for those seeking more rapid relational trauma recovery work and/or who want relief from painful symptoms that don’t stem from relational trauma.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.
Many people have called EMDR “magic” for the rapid, almost unbelievable positive results it produces. Hard, painful feelings you thought you’d have to live with forever suddenly seem to disappear and it’s hard to believe. Of course, EMDR isn’t really magic, but it sure can feel that way…
So what is EMDR? What is it really and how does it work?
First of all, EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR therapy is a widely researched, evidence-based, and neuroscience-informed integrative therapy that reduces distressing symptoms (emotional, mental and physical) that stem from having endured really hard and sometimes potentially traumatic life experiences.
When hard things happen to us — either as kids or as adults — ideally we would have the internal and external resources (meaning the inner abilities and people and supports outside of us) to help us make sense of that hard, overwhelming and painful thing that happened. And sometimes, we do have this. And we’re able to go through that hard experience and still come out okay on the other side.
But when we don’t have those internal and external resources available to help our brain and body process and make sense of the hard scary things we endured, the experience can land in our brain and body as a trauma — an overwhelming experience that negatively impacts our nervous system and our views about ourselves, others, and the world.
Left untreated, those unprocessed experiences can pile up and create a whole host of painful symptoms in our present — acute anxiety, depression, flashbacks, nightmares, phobic avoidance of the thing that scares us, relentless fighting with our spouse, terror at getting an email from our boss, etc.
But EMDR can help make those symptoms go away. It can help the old, painful experiences finally get resolved so we can feel at peace.
But how?
How does EMDR work?
Using bilateral stimulation (be it eye movements, alternating auditory sounds, or bilateral physical sensations like with EMDR-specific hand buzzers) combined with a specific set of protocols administered by a highly trained EMDR clinician, this particular kind of therapy helps to:
1) Desensitize traumatic memories (aka: reduce the emotional intensity associated with the memories),
2) Reprocess the trauma, allowing the brain to integrate these memories in a healthier way (aka: transform the trauma from a disruptive, unresolved memory into a more manageable and integrated one), and
3) Help the brain to move these memories from being easily triggered and causing distress to being stored in a way that they are no longer as intrusive or disturbing (aka: more like other long-term memories).
EMDR, simply put, helps your brain and body do what it naturally wants to do: move towards healing.
Need more information about how and why EMDR works? Here’s a wonderful video from EMDR International Association that further succinctly explains what EMDR is.
What issues can EMDR therapy treat?
Quite honestly the better question is often, “What can’t EMDR treat?” because the list of issues EMDR can help make feel better is, quite frankly, huge.
Below is just a small sample of issues EMDR can help make better. Again, this list is NOT exhaustive; it’s just a sample.
Anxiety: EMDR can reduce symptoms of general anxiety, panic attacks, and social anxiety.
Depression: EMDR can alleviate feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and other depressive symptoms.
Stress: EMDR can reduce stress from daily life, work, or specific situations.
Burnout Prevention: EMDR can help manage the symptoms of burnout, enabling sustained high performance and well-being.
Imposter Syndrome: EMDR can reduce feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy, fostering greater self-assurance in professional settings.
Self-Esteem Issues: EMDR can improve feelings of self-worth and confidence in all aspects of life beyond work.
Anger Management: EMDR can help control and reduce excessive anger.
Performance Anxiety: EMDR can reduce anxiety related to performing in sports, arts, or other areas.
Relationship Problems: EMDR can help resolve conflicts and improve relationships.
Phobias: EMDR can treat intense fears of specific objects or situations (e.g., flying, heights, spiders).
Panic Attacks: EMDR can help manage sudden, overwhelming feelings of fear and physical symptoms.
Grief and Loss: EMDR can ease the emotional pain associated with losing a loved one.
Addictions: EMDR can support recovery from substance abuse and other addictive behaviors.
Sleep Disturbances: EMDR can address issues like insomnia and nightmares.
Prior Traumas: EMDR can help heal emotional scars from past sexual abuse, address distress from medical procedures, and heal wounds from adverse childhood experiences.
And, did you know that EMDR isn’t just incredible for resolving pain? It’s also remarkable for Performance Improvement. EMDR can enhance performance in areas such as sports, academics, pitching investors, public speaking, and professional activities by reducing anxiety and boosting confidence.
So what does it mean that you do EMDR therapy intensives?
Different from the weekly therapy model, I offer EMDR therapy intensives—multiple hours of back-to-back EMDR therapy sessions across a discreet and limited amount of time (whether this is several days in a row or several weeks in a row)—to support those who can’t commit to weekly therapy sessions but still want profound relief.
EMDR therapy intensives provide several unique benefits:
1. Accelerated Healing: By concentrating the therapeutic work into a shorter timeframe, EMDR intensives allow for a deeper and more rapid processing of traumatic memories. This can lead to quicker relief from symptoms and a more immediate sense of progress.
2. Focused Attention: The intensive format ensures that you receive undivided attention and a highly focused therapeutic experience. This can be particularly beneficial for tackling complex trauma or deeply ingrained issues that may take longer to address in traditional weekly sessions.
3. Convenience and Flexibility: For those with busy schedules, limited availability, or geographical constraints, EMDR intensives offer a practical alternative to traditional therapy. You can achieve significant therapeutic gains without the need for a long-term commitment to weekly sessions.
4. In-Depth Exploration: The extended sessions allow for a more thorough exploration of your trauma history and related issues. This can lead to greater insights and a more comprehensive understanding of the root causes of your distress.
5. Enhanced Continuity: The consecutive nature of the sessions helps maintain continuity in the therapeutic process. This can prevent the disruption that sometimes occurs between weekly sessions, leading to a more cohesive and effective treatment experience.
6. Immediate Support: If you are in a crisis or experiencing acute distress, EMDR intensives can provide the immediate and intensive support you need to stabilize and begin the healing process.
Can EMDR therapy really work online? Is it effective?
Traditionally, EMDR was conducted in-person, but advancements in technology have made it possible to receive this transformative therapy via telehealth, no matter where you live.
One of the most common concerns clients have is whether telehealth EMDR is as effective as in-person sessions. Research indicates that EMDR therapy conducted via telehealth is equally effective. The essential elements of EMDR, including the bilateral stimulation mechanism, remain powerful through virtual means, combined with a strong therapeutic relationship with a trained therapist.
So the bottom line is this: no matter where you live in California or Florida, you can work with me and have a powerful, transformative EMDR therapy experience.
Telehealth EMDR offers a unique advantage: the ability to undergo therapy in a familiar and comfortable environment—your own home. This can feel particularly supportive after intense, emotional sessions because you can relax immediately without worrying about driving home.
Life can be unpredictable; whether your child is home sick, you’re not feeling well, or there’s traffic, telehealth EMDR ensures your therapeutic journey remains uninterrupted, helping you resolve painful symptoms faster.
If you’re concerned about technical issues, we understand. However, after four years of conducting EMDR remotely, I’ve found they’re often easily managed. I use secure, reliable platforms to facilitate smooth and uninterrupted therapy, with protocols in place to quickly address any technical difficulties.
The flexibility of telehealth means you can schedule sessions at times that are most convenient for you, without needing to factor in travel time. This is particularly beneficial for those with busy schedules or limited access to specialized therapy. My goal is to make EMDR therapy as accessible and convenient as possible, allowing you to focus solely on your healing journey.
In addition, I offer comprehensive support to ensure you feel comfortable with the telehealth setup. I provide thorough guidance on using the technology, troubleshooting common issues, and creating an optimal environment for your sessions. I’m committed to making your telehealth EMDR experience smooth and effective, so you can fully benefit from this powerful therapy no matter where you are.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
If you’re interested in EMDR intensives with me, please get in touch with my offices, and a member of my team will get back to you right away to schedule us. I look forward to being of support to you.
