Boulder Counselor and Therapist | David Robbins, MA, LPC

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a comprehensive, integrative psychotherapy approach. It contains elements of many effective psychotherapies in structured protocols that are designed to maximize treatment effects. These include psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, experiential, and body-centered therapies2.

EMDR psychotherapy is an information processing therapy and uses an eight phase approach to address the experiential contributors of a wide range of pathologies. It attends to the past experiences that have set the groundwork for pathology, the current situations that trigger dysfunctional emotions, beliefs and sensations, and the positive experience needed to enhance future adaptive behaviors and mental health.

The above information about EMDR was taken from the EMDR Institute Website. For further information on EMDR follow this link.

I utilize EMDR as a adjunct therapy to my unique blend of mindfulness based experiential therapy. It is also possible to use this treatment as a standalone therapy for certain clients who desire this, assuming this is the best possible modality for working with the the presenting issue. In our first few sessions together we will discuss various options for working with your particular situation and decide the best possible way to proceed.

Anxiety can come in many forms. It can range from a low level agitation, chronic worry, specific phobias or fears, to flashbacks of traumatic experiences and full on panic attacks. Mindfulness-based therapy in very effective in treating and resolving the reactions that create anxiety. These reactions, that are the core of our suffering, are usually a constellation of mental activity (thoughts) and body activity in the nervous system (emotional type body sensations). By using a mindfulness approach we can desensitize ourselves to reactions we experience, both mentally and physically, and reduce or eliminate the suffering produced by situations that would have previously been very unsettling or even terrifying. The mindfulness approach to working with anxiety allows one to gently accept and feel their experience without being overwhelmed by it. On the level of thoughts, one can work with anxious thoughts using mindfulness as a anchor and keeping ourselves from getting too wrapped up in agitating or fearful thinking, worrying, etc.

Most of my clients begin feeling relief from anxiety after the first 2-3 sessions. If you are interested in finding out more feel free to contact me for a free 20 minute consultation, in person or on the phone.