EMDR Therapy Seattle: How to Find the Right Therapist for You
Whether you’re seeking trauma treatment or help navigating a tough transition, finding the right EMDR therapy Seattle* is a critical step toward healing.
Even summers in Seattle can feel gloomy when a past trauma or disturbing experience or relationship has you feeling stuck. Investing the time in therapy now can help you weather the year ahead (pun intended…because no matter how dark the days, you deserve a moment of humor and even a brief reprieve can make the next day, hour or minute more bearable). Below are some tips to make the process of finding EMDR therapy in Seattle less overwhelming. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, relationship problems, or the challenges of divorce or other life transitions or stuck points, finding the right EMDR therapy in Seattle for you is an important first step on your path to healing. The information below will give you an overview of how to find EMDR therapy in Seattle that is a good fit for you and where you are in life.
What is EMDR Therapy Seattle?
The first step in finding the right EMDR therapy Seattle is understanding EMDR therapy. You might have a friend who swears by EMDR therapy as having transformed their life, heard EMDR therapy mentioned in yet another celebrity interview (Sandra Bullock, Prince Harry, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, etc., etc.), or perhaps it’s popping up in your social media feed as you doomscroll your way through another sleepless night. But, what is it?
EMDR is an acronym for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured psychotherapy treatment developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in late 1980s. EMDR therapy is often associated with thinking of a traumatic event while moving your eyes back and forth but eye movement (or other forms of bilateral stimulation, such as tapping) is actually only one part (phase 4) of the 8 phases of EMDR therapy 1) history taking and treatment planning, 2) preparation, 3) assessment, 4) desensitization, 5) installation, 6) body scan, 7) closure and 8) reevaluation. You can read more about each of these phases in next week’s blog.
EMDR therapy is considered an “evidenced-based” therapy. EMDR therapy has been heavily researched since it’s development 30+ years ago and because of EMDR therapy’s demonstrated effectiveness in clinical studies it is recognized as an effective treatment for trauma and disturbing experiences by many organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the U.S. Department of Defense.
EMDR therapy has been shown to be more effective than talk therapy for trauma treatment. And it can be effectively used for what are sometimes known as “little T” traumas, experiences that weren’t life-threatening but have impacted you in a lasting way. Emotional neglect in childhood is one of the experiences that many of my clients identify as a focus for work in therapy.
How to Research EMDR Therapy in Seattle
You might start your search for EMDR Therapy Seattle by asking for recommendations from trusted friends, family, or healthcare providers who already know you. Additionally, online directories and professional organizations can be valuable resources for searching EMDR Therapy Seattle. I chose to be trained by the EMDR Institute; it is the organization founded by the originator of EMDR therapy, Dr. Francine Shapiro, and the trainers (many former colleagues of the late Dr. Shapiro) continue to adhere to and update the protocol based on ongoing research. Although there are now many programs certified by EMDRIA (the EMDR International Association), I typically recommend that clients begin by experiencing EMDR therapy in Seattle with a therapist trained by the EMDR Institute, as I know and respect their training programs.
How to Evaluate EMDR Therapists in Seattle
When looking for EMDR therapy in Seattle, it’s important to evaluate whether a potential therapist has training and experience relevant to your needs.
As I mentioned above, personally I recommend finding a therapist trained by the EMDR Institute. In addition to asking about basic training, I always suggest asking about advanced trainings on specific topics in EMDR therapy, and whether a therapist is part of an EMDR therapy consultation group. In addition to training and ongoing professional development, ask about an EMDR therapist’s areas of clinical interest and specialization. You will find a list of questions to ask a potential therapist here.
EMDR Therapy in Seattle should be provided by a professional who is well-qualified and experienced in the areas relevant to you. Beyond that, the other more nebulous aspects of “fit” is important as well. Prince Harry’s therapist was a good fit for him. Miley Cyrus’ therapist was a good fit for her. You deserve a therapist that is the right fit for you. You can get a feel for a therapist’s approach and your initial comfort with a therapist through an initial consultation.
What to Expect in an Initial Consultation for EMDR Therapy in Seattle
Once you have a list of potential counselors for EMDR Therapy in Seattle, reach out to them for an initial consultation. Many therapists provide a free initial phone call so you can ask questions and get a feel for whether a counselor’s style is right for you. This is an opportunity to ask questions and get a feel for their approach. It’s important to find EMDR therapy in Seattle with someone who not only has the right experience, but also makes you feel comfortable and understood. Counseling is a deeply personal process, and finding someone you feel at ease with can make all the difference in your journey towards healing.
My Approach to EMDR Therapy in Seattle & WA State
As a therapist offering EMDR therapy in Seattle and online throughout Washington state, I specialize in helping adults overcome trauma, navigate relationship problems, and cope with the challenges of divorce and other life transitions. I work with adult individuals in weekly sessions or briefly with 1-3 day EMDR Intensives. I work as a primary therapist, providing regular weekly therapy to my clients. And, I can also provide EMDR on an “adjunct” basis for clients who already have a primary therapist but feel EMDR therapy will help them process particular traumas or negative beliefs more effectively. With over 20 years of mindfulness practice and a compassionate approach, I value creating a safe and supportive environment for my clients. Also, as a woman over 50, I bring a wealth of life experience to my work, which many clients find comforting. If you’re looking for counseling in Seattle or online in Washington state, I invite you to learn more about how I can support you on your path.
Start EMDR Therapy in Seattle with a Free Phone Call
To learn more about EMDR therapy Seattle clients trust, contact me today to schedule a free 15-minute initial phone call. You can reach me by phone or email to set up your call and take the first step towards finding the right path for you. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, relationship issues, divorce or other life transitions or stuck points, finding the right EMDR therapy in Seattle is key to beginning your journey. If I’m not the right therapist for you, I’ll do what I can to make a referral.
*What’s with the awkward wording? As much as it pains me as a former English major, I use keyword phrases to help people find me online. People tend to search for “EMDR therapy Seattle” rather than “EMDR therapy in Seattle” so you will find that awkward phrasing in my blog (as well as the seemingly random list of phrases in the paragraph below). And if you didn’t notice it, well, don’t fault your English grammar training! Our brains are actually quite adept at filling in what’s needed so we can better understand our world.
EMDR Therapy Seattle, counseling in Seattle, online therapy Seattle, therapist Seattle, counselor seattle, counseling Seattle, trauma therapy Seattle, PTSD therapy Seattle, EMDR therapist Seattle, EMDR intensives, therapy intensives, Seattle divorce counseling, divorce therapy Seattle, divorce counseling Seattle, relationship counseling Seattle, relationship therapist Seattle, Washington therapist, online therapy WA, psychotherapy Seattle, finding a counselor in Seattle, female therapist in Seattle, woman therapist in Seattle, social worker Seattle, online counseling in Seattle, Kirkland, Redmond, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Medina, Kent, Everett, Renton, Federal Way, Tacoma, Vancouver, Spokane, Olympia, WA state
EMDR Therapy Seattle Therapist, Anne Clemente