EMDR

(Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)

emdr therapy austin

EMDR Therapy Austin | Virtual Specialist Janae Kim

Takeaway: Difficult or distressing experiences can hold us back from living the kind of lives we truly want. However, healing is possible. As an EMDR therapist in Austin, I’ve seen firsthand how this revolutionary form of treatment can help people break free from trauma, anxiety, depression, and more. EMDR can help you get unstuck and finally find peace. Get started today.

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) was originally founded in the 1980s by Francine Shapiro. Shapiro realized that using eye movements decreased the distress associated with a traumatic event. With following decades of research, it quickly became an evidence-based model.

Despite the complicated name, EMDR does not involve any hypnosis or drugs but works by tapping into our brain's natural ability to heal. Research has shown that EMDR is effective on mental health conditions such as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety, panic attacks, depression and addictions.

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What to expect from the EMDR process

  • Phase 1: History Taking

    During this initial phase, the therapist gathers pertinent information about the client's history. Special attention is given to the main themes, traumatic events in the past and treatment planning. The therapist will also identify the client's current coping skills and resources.

  • Phase 2: Preparation

    It is crucial that clients feels as prepared as possible before targeting any disturbing memories. This is even more true for those who have experienced complex trauma. In this phase, the therapist will guide and teach the client certain self-soothing techniques and skills. Also, the therapist will acquaint the client with the process of EMDR while addressing any questions that the client may have.

  • Phase 3: Assessing the target memory

    This phase is one of the most standardized part of the procedure with specific questions to help activate the targeted memory. These questions are designed to pull out, so to speak, the memory that is stored in the file of the client's brain. It involves asking the client about the image, cognition, affect and body sensations while thinking about the memory.

  • Phase 4: Desensitization

    This phase often takes up a large chunk of the EMDR process as clients focuses on the memory with Bilateral Stimulation (BLS). BLS can be eye movements, tapping, auditory or tactile. The therapist guides the client who reports particular insights that come up during each set. This step repeats until the client is no longer distressed by the targeted memory.

  • Phase 5: Installation

    The object of this phase is for clients to increase the strength of the positive cognition. When clients reaches this point, the negative cognition loses its validity and is replaced by the positive cognition.

  • Phase 6: Body scan

    The therapist checks for any residual tension in the client's body by doing a body scan.

  • Phase 7: Closure

    It is always important to ensure the client's stability at the end of the EMDR session. If appropriate, the therapist may guide the client in self-soothing skills to help restore his/her stability. This is also a time to debrief and inform clients about what to expect in between sessions.

  • Phase 8: Re-evaluation

    In this final phase, the therapist evaluates and ensures the positive impact of treatment on the client. In a collaborative manner, the therapist and client work towards identifying future targets.

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Meet Janae Kim, EMDR therapist in Austin, TX

In my 13 years of experience as a therapist, I have utilized other forms of conventional talk therapy methods. While helpful and effective at times, I have found that there are limitations and difficulties in getting to the root of clients' issues. Since becoming trained and certified in EMDR, I have no doubt been able to take my clients much farther in their healing process. And this is why I'm passionate about providing EMDR therapy - to help clients experience deeper freedom from their pain.

I also actively pursue taking specialized training in EMDR to meet the specific needs of my clients. These include the Flash Technique, improving chronic pain, and early interventions. I am also trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed EMDR, which supports EMDR in a powerful way.

My approach to EMDR therapy in Austin

Given that EMDR is heavily based on neuroscience, I spend a lot of time focusing on psychoeducation. In layman's terms, I do my best to help clients grasp how trauma impacts the brain and what role EMDR plays in providing relief to the client. This type of knowledge can be empowering for clients and in turn lead to even better outcomes.

While EMDR is a very structured type of therapy, I tend to add my spontaneity and warmth to help clients feel safe. This is especially important as clients often bring up rather delicate issues to work on. I also undergo in a wide range of powerful coping strategies to help clients feel as prepared as possible.

In my counseling work, I consider myself to be very intuitive and try to think outside the box. For instance, I often interweave the concepts of Internal Family Systems (IFS). This model views a person as having different parts with varying roles. In my experience, using this unique lens has rendered EMDR to be even more effective.

Who my Austin EMDR services are for

EMDR can be extremely effective for an array of issues and mental health disorders. In my years as a therapist, I have had the privilege of working with various populations. These include high-achievers, trauma survivors, BIPOC individuals and Highly Sensitive Persons (HSP). When appropriate, I have also helped clients integrate their Christian faith into our therapy sessions. Through the use of EMDR, many of these individuals have shown marked improvement in their quality of life.

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    High-Achievers

    Many of my clients are high achievers who seem well put together on the outside. Underneath this facade, however, they struggle with perfectionism, imposter syndrome, anxiety and depression. They often do not have a healthy work-life balance, which leads to burnout. It's also unlikely that they seek help right away so they may be at a point of crisis by the time they enter therapy.

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    Trauma Survivors

    I work with clients who have either suffered from little "t" traumas (e,g. emotional abuse, difficult friendship) or big "T" traumas (e.g. sexual assault, natural disasters). Regardless of the type of trauma, trauma is trauma, and they are essentially distressing memories that impact clients in unhealthy ways.

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    Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)

    As a BIPOC individual myself, I'm particularly passionate about issues of race. These adversities may involve racial identity, immigration, discrimination and intergenerational conflict. Since mental health is often a stigma in BIPOC communities, they may put off receiving help. It is, therefore, my priority to educate them about mental health and gain their trust during this therapy process.

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    Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

    Most HSP clients come to therapy not realizing that they probably are in fact an HSP. One of the main goals of therapy is to process the shame of being "too sensitive." In other words, I work with HSPs to move from seeing their traits as a defect to a gift that should be celebrated.

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    Christians

    For individuals who identifies as a Christian, incorporating their faith in therapy can be hugely important to them. As a Christian therapist, I am able to hold a safe space for them to talk and process freely about their relationship with God.

Benefits of EMDR therapy

Improvement of Unwanted Symptoms

Often, debilitating symptoms such as PTSD, panic attacks or depression improve through EMDR. As EMDR rewires the brain, the nervous system calms down and is no longer as activated in the same way as before.

Decreased Intensity of Emotions

Clients who take part in EMDR sessions report lower distress levels. For instance, an individual who experienced a level 8 (on a scale of 0-10) toward a specific memory may state that their distress level is significantly lower at the end. It is common for clients to talk about how the memory doesn't seem to carry the same emotional charge as before.

Positive View of Self

Traumatic memories are usually associated with low self-esteem and a negative belief of oneself. For clients who experienced abuse in the past, for example, they may believe that they are worthless or not good enough. As EMDR helps to reprocess these memories, clients are able to have a different perspective and gain a more positive belief about themselves.

Less Circular Thinking

It is easy to get caught in a cycle of negative thoughts. This is especially true if the situation triggers past distressing events. As EMDR activates the both sides of the brain to communicate with each other, the circular thinking becomes disrupted. New perspectives and insights are introduced, leading to feeling less stuck.

FAQs about EMDR in Austin, Texas

Still unsure or confused about EMDR? It is normal to have remaining questions about this unique therapy approach. In the next section, I'll be addressing some of the most frequently asked questions in order to shed more light. If you have additional questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me here.

  • According to EMDRIA, "more than 7 million people have been treated successfully by 110,000 therapists in 130 countries since 2016." Other sources such as NCBI has indicated that "84% to 90% of single-trauma victims no longer had PTSD after three 90-minute EMDR sessions." In my years of using EMDR with clients, I've observed many clients report a marked improvement. They are no longer triggered by their traumatic memories and are able to lead a better quality of life. Many of them are also able to use other mindfulness techniques on their own to self-regulate. Some may even share that doing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy previously could not get them to where they are now. While most people respond positively to EMDR, "success" can be different depending on what their goals are for therapy.

  • Shapiro stumbled upon EMDR when she herself was processing a distressing event. Hence it was originally developed to treat trauma and alleviate PTSD symptoms. Throughout years of extensive research, those with other conditions and disorders responded similarly to EMDR. These include anxiety disorders (e.g. panic disorder, OCD and phobias), substance abuse, chronic pain, eating disorders, and many more.

  • EMDR is suitable for most people, including adults, adolescents and children. But there are instances where a therapist may not recommend EMDR to a client. For example, those who are actively using drugs or alcohol would send an obvious red flag. This may also apply to those who are on certain medications such as benzodiazepines. In other cases, it may not be as clear-cut but requires a bit more precaution. There may be clients who have dissociative disorders and have difficulty in EMDR. With these clients, more time should be spent on stabilizing them through various resources before proceeding to the latter stages of EMDR. If you are unsure if EMDR is right for you, feel free to reach out to me here.

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Ready to get unstuck? EMDR therapy in Austin, TX may be what you’re looking for. 

EMDR can be an incredibly effective tool and intervention in therapy. It is a method that taps into our internal resources and our brain's natural ability to heal. This often results in more efficiency and faster pace in resolving issues for those who have experienced trauma. As you can tell, I am passionate about using EMDR with clients to help them experience deeper healing. I would love to chat more over a 15-minute phone consultation should you have any questions or concerns.

Resources for Additional Austin EMDR Therapists

1.Lily Gatica,LMFT

lily gatica

  • Credentials: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, EMDR certified

  • Clientele: Adults and couples

  • Areas of specialty: Trauma and anxiety

  • Modalities: EMDR, IFS informed EMDR, The Flash Technique

  • Location: Virtual in Texas, California and Florida

  • Website: https://www.lilygatica.com/

2.Shina Lee, LCSW

Shina Lee

  • Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, EMDR certified

  • Clientele: Female adults

  • Areas of specialty: Trauma and PTSD, Depression, Anxiety

  • Modalities: EMDR

  • Location: Austin, TX

  • Website: https://www.shinalee.com/

3.Tiffany Dang, LPC

tiffany dang

  • Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, EMDR certified

  • Clientele: Adults

  • Areas of specialty: Mood disorders, Tauma, Attachment/developmental issues

  • Modalities: Psychodynamic, EMDR

  • Location: Austin, TX

  • Website: https://tiffany-dang.com/

4.Hannah Koster, LCSW

Hannah Koster