About EMDR
Excerpt From Psychology Today:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is a unique, nontraditional form of psychotherapy designed to diminish negative feelings associated with memories of traumatic events. Unlike most forms of talk therapy, EMDR focuses less on the traumatic event itself and more on the disturbing emotions and symptoms that result from the event.
How It Works
The goal of EMDR is to fully process past experiences and sort out the emotions attached to those experiences. Negative thoughts and feelings that are no longer useful are replaced with positive thoughts and feelings that will encourage healthier behavior and social interactions. (Psychology Today, “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy”)
The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy
Ultimately, clients learn to handle stressful situations themselves. EMDR therapy occurs in eight phases:
1) History and treatment planning
2) Preparation, to establish trust and explain the treatment in-depth
3) Assessment, to establish negative feelings and identify positive replacements
4) Desensitization, which includes the eye movement technique
5) Installation, to strengthen positive replacements
6) Body scan, to see if the client is now able to bring up memories of trauma without experiencing negative feelings that are no longer relevant, or if reprocessing is necessary
7) Closure, which occurs at the end of every session
8) Re-evaluation, which occurs at the beginning of every session
EMDR has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. After the therapist and the client agree that EMDR therapy is a good fit, and begin to work together, the client will be asked to focus on a specific event. Attention will be given to a negative image, belief, and body feeling related to this event, and then to a positive belief that would indicate the issues was resolved.
While the client focuses on the upsetting event, the therapist will begin sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps.
The client will be guided to notice what comes to mind after each set. They may experience shifts in insight or changes in images, feelings, or beliefs regarding the event. The client has full control to stop the therapist at any point, if needed. The sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps are repeated until the event becomes less disturbing.
A therapist trained in EMDR therapy uses a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from several treatment approaches. (Emdria, “Experiencing EMDR therapy”)
About Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
Ketamine can be especially helpful as an adjunct and combination with existing therapy. Ketamine specifically allows a temporary ease in your psychological defenses, giving rise to better outcomes of therapy. It permits the default mode network in your brain to relax a bit, allowing for deeper self-reflection and ultimately more therapeutic work. It helps to ease rigid thoughts and rumination. Ketamine can be used for a variety of mental health diagnoses including anxiety, depression, post-
traumatic stress disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Ketamine assisted psychotherapy is NOT covered by insurance in most cases.
Benefits of KAP
- Elevation of mood
- Reduction of anxiety
- Openness, especially as it relates to PTSD (ability to get unstuck)
Reduction in sensations of depression and depressive episodes
Increase in cognitive functioning
Structure of Sessions
Most people benefit from 4 to 6 KAP sessions. Prior to those sessions, I recommend preparation sessions (these can be billed to your insurance) to prepare you for the journey, set intentions and learn how the sessions go. I also recommend integration after your sessions (also covered by insurance). I usually recommend 1 to 2 preparation sessions, 4 to 6 KAP sessions, and 1 to 2 integration sessions.
What can you expect from KAP?
This will be an in-person experience. You will arrive at the office in comfortable clothing, bringing things that make you feel comfortable and safe. You will self administer the lozenge (prescribed separately by a psychiatrist) and I will be there to hold space for you. Usually within about 5 to 10 minutes you may begin to feel the effects of the medication. This may include feeling a “floating sensation”, feeling
disconnected or dissociated from your environment, your vision may be affected as well. You will be conscious for the entirety of the session. I will be with you, providing support and therapy as needed. Your job in this experience is just to have the experience. Give yourself permission to let go and journey with the medicine. The duration of the journey will be roughly one hour and the duration of the entire session will be roughly 90 minutes.
Who qualifies for KAP?
In order to participate in KAP you will be required to see a psychiatrist for a prescription. I work closely with Dr. Erik Bayona for this purpose. Dr. Bayona will determine if you are a good candidate with a full psychological exam including medical history. Ketamine is a very safe medication and you can work with him to determine if it is right for you. Exclusionary criteria
are as follows:
- Are pregnant and nursing, have poorly controlled or untreated
hypertension, cardiovascular problems, hyperthyroidism, severe sleep
apnea or respiratory disease, have a history or seizures / epilepsy, have
Parkinson’s, Have a recent traumatic brain injury (TBI), experience an
acute manic, hypomanic, psychotic episode, or have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or you are allergic to ketamine
MAPS Platform – Ketamine Research Foundation