EMDR Therapy in Kansas City, MO.

If you have experienced big or small trauma in your past, or are having recurring emotional distress or anxiety, EMDR may be right for you. Feel free to schedule an initial appointment, and I can fully explain the EMDR process, and we can collaboratively decide together whether you are a good fit for EMDR therapy.

Not at all. While EMDR is highly effective for treating severe trauma, PTSD, and CPTSD, it's also beneficial for addressing a range of issues, including anxiety, phobias, emotional distress, and performance enhancement.

The duration varies based on individual needs and the complexity of the issues being addressed. Some individuals may experience significant relief in a few sessions, while others may benefit from longer-term therapy.

I recommend that EMDR be done in person; however, yes, virtual sessions are available for EMDR Therapy, providing flexibility for those who prefer or need remote counseling. The effectiveness of EMDR can be maintained through virtual sessions, allowing individuals to access this transformative therapy from the comfort of their own space.

In the initial session, we'll discuss your concerns, goals, and any questions you may have about EMDR Therapy. It's an opportunity for us to establish a collaborative and supportive relationship as we begin the journey toward healing.

While traditional talk therapy involves discussing and exploring issues verbally, EMDR incorporates bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements) to facilitate the reprocessing of distressing memories at a deeper neurological level. This can lead to more efficient and transformative results, especially for trauma and anxiety.

If you're uncertain, we can discuss your concerns in our initial session. Together, we'll explore whether EMDR is the right fit for your unique needs and goals. Your comfort and confidence in the therapeutic process are essential.

Absolutely. EMDR is not limited to addressing trauma; it can also be applied to enhance performance by targeting and reprocessing mental barriers, self-doubt, and limiting beliefs.

Yes, EMDR can be adapted for children and adolescents. It has been shown to be effective in addressing trauma, anxiety, and other issues in younger populations. While I have worked with children and adolescents in my graduate school clinical internship using EMDR, I have chosen to only work with adults ages 18 years and older in my private practice.

EMDR can be beneficial for individuals experiencing distress, anxiety, or a sense of overwhelm even without a specific traumatic event. It can help process and alleviate the emotional charge associated with various life experiences.

No, EMDR is a highly individualized approach. The therapy is tailored to address the specific needs and goals of each individual. I work collaboratively with clients to ensure that the EMDR process is customized to their unique experiences and challenges.

If you're experiencing distressing symptoms, anxiety, or the lingering effects of a traumatic experience, EMDR may be a suitable option. In our initial session, we'll explore your history and concerns to determine if EMDR is the right fit for you.

Yes, EMDR has been shown to be effective in addressing physical symptoms related to stress, including chronic pain. By addressing underlying emotional distress, EMDR helps to alleviate the emotional distress underlying physical symptoms. Liz Davis Therapy asks that you also consult with your primary care physician to ensure that no physical symptoms are related to health issues prior to beginning EMDR treatment for physical ailments.

Yes, EMDR can be effective for individuals with generalized anxiety disorder. It helps process and alleviate the emotional distress associated with persistent anxiety.

Absolutely. EMDR is well-suited for addressing childhood traumas or memories that continue to impact emotional well-being in adulthood.

The effects of EMDR Therapy are often long-lasting. Many individuals experience sustained improvements, but the duration can vary based on individual circumstances.

Yes, EMDR can be an effective approach for addressing and resolving phobias or persistent fears by reprocessing the underlying distressing memories associated with them.

While both EMDR and exposure therapy address distressing memories, EMDR's use of bilateral stimulation sets it apart. This can lead to a quicker and more comprehensive reprocessing of traumatic experiences.

Yes, EMDR can be integrated with other therapeutic modalities based on individual needs and preferences. It's essential to discuss this during the initial assessment.

EMDR is generally considered safe, but it's crucial to inform your therapist of any history of seizures or neurological conditions to ensure a safe and tailored approach.

While EMDR is an evidence-based therapeutic technique that is considered safe, my professional recommendation is that people do not try to do EMDR on themselves or alone. This is because the guidance and support of an EMDR-trained therapist can keep us from experiencing emotional overwhelm during the EMDR process. It also provides a safe space to process any new thoughts, feelings, or memories that may surface during EMDR with a trained professional. I want you to stay emotionally safe during EMDR, with one foot securely in the present moment, and the other foot processing the past. This is best done in a safe environment with an EMDR-trained therapist who can support you throughout the process.

EMDR can help individuals reconnect with emotions and reduce feelings of dissociation by facilitating the reprocessing of memories that may contribute to emotional detachment.

EMDR is an intense emotional process for our brains. It’s like multiple therapy sessions in one! It’s totally normal to feel a little weird after an EMDR session, or even for a few days afterwards. Some clients reported remembering new things from their past, feeling waves of emotion days afterwards, or even crying in the days afterwards. This is totally normal, and that is why I recommend that clients expect to take extra good care of themselves after an EMDR session. Sometimes we can fully process an event in one session, but if it is more complex trauma or multiple instances of emotional distress, it is normal to need multiple EMDR sessions to fully clear the emotional distress. We call this having “leftovers” after an EMDR session. That is why we can sometimes feel a little weird afterwards. I encourage clients to trust the therapeutic process, and trust the EMDR process, and continue sessions (with my support of course) to fully clear whatever memories, thoughts or feelings were causing the initial distress. Don’t worry - the weird feelings don’t last forever. After an EMDR session, our brains continue to process and integrate the memories and emotions that evening after the session, and sometimes days later. If you experience big waves of emotion, just know that that is normal; however, you are free to reach out to me via text if you’d like some additional support over the phone or a talk therapy session to more fully process or integrate what you have been feeling.

Absolutely. EMDR has been proven effective for individuals with PTSD resulting from various experiences, not limited to combat trauma.

Scheduling is easy! Just click the button below and find a day and time that works best for you. I can’t wait to meet you and begin your healing journey together!