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EMDR Therapy

in San Francisco and online throughout California

Tap into your resilience & strength.

Feeling overwhelmed, on edge, or stuck with negative thoughts can be incredibly draining and isolating. These challenges may affect various aspects of your life, whether it’s at home, work, or in your relationships.

Please know that your struggles are valid, and you’re not alone in feeling this way. Trauma, PTSD, or past stressful events don’t have to control you and your life. EMDR therapy provides a safe space to process painful experiences from your past. It allows you to face your past without being overwhelmed by it. In the end, you’ll just remember without reliving, and that’s what helps you move forward and take back control of your life.

What is emdr?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based approach that is very effective in treating the effects of traumatic incidents or disturbing experiences. EMDR therapy does help people reprocess traumatic events so that they are no longer stored in that raw, vivid, state specific form.

“When a disturbing event occurs, it can get locked in the brain with the original picture, sounds, thoughts, feelings and body sensations. EMDR seems to stimulate the information and allows the brain to reprocess the experience. That may be what is happening in REM or dream sleep.  The eye movements (tones, tactile) may help to process the unconscious material.  It is your own brain that will be doing the healing and you are the one in control.” - EMDRIA 

  • EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or sounds, to create connections between the brain’s hemispheres, which restores the brain’s natural healing mechanisms. This results in reduced traumatic memories become less intense and more manageable. EMDR has been extensively researched and consistently proven effective. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR people can often experience the benefits of psychotherapy significantly faster than via traditional therapy methods. Beyond trauma, EMDR is also used to address other mental health challenges, including anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, depression, and addiction.

how I work

I’m an experienced trauma therapist with over 15 years of working with trauma and 8 years using EMDR, and I’m committed to supporting you in your healing. I follow an eight-phase EMDR approach to ensure comprehensive care tailored to your unique needs. Our work begins by focusing on learning effective coping strategies to manage any distress that may arise during therapy. Together, we will identify your internal and external resources, as well as the specific memories and experiences causing distress. We’ll explore how your current symptoms are connected to past events and discuss ways to resolve them.

  • Next, we’ll begin exploring any distressing memories using visual or auditory bilateral stimulation. This process will guide you through the associated sensations, emotions, thoughts, and beliefs in a gentle and supportive way. We’ll proceed at a pace that feels comfortable for you, ensuring you feel prepared to address these difficult experiences.

    When you feel prepared to reprocess, I will guide you through a series of questions about the event, including your thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and images. Reprocessing begins as you focus on the event while engaging in bilateral stimulation. Throughout this process, you’ll observe your body sensations, thoughts, and feelings without judgment or pressure to change them. At the end of each session, I’ll help you return to a calm place and discuss how to “close” down the work until your next session.

    While we can’t change the past, EMDR therapy can help reduce the intensity of trauma symptoms and foster healthier beliefs about yourself and the world around you. As you progress through healing, you’ll experience less fear, panic, stress, anger and shame, and access more curiosity, joy, love, gratitude, and other enriching experiences.

    For more detailed information, you can explore the EMDR International Association Page or visit my profile on the

    EMDRIA website: https://www.emdria.org/directory/people/svetlana-alshvang/

EMDR can help you…

  • Understand how your past experiences are affecting your present life

  • Reduce emotional charge associated with difficult memories, so you can remember without reliving

  • Recognize your triggers and how your body reacts

  • Have a toolbox for managing stress, anxiety, and tough situations

  • Stop overwhelming fear, intrusive thoughts, and nightmares

  • Improve your ability to tolerate uncomfortable emotions

  • Feel more in control of your thoughts and feelings

FAQ

  • EMDR may reduce the duration of trauma therapy, but it’s not necessarily a quick fix. Each person’s therapy experience is unique, tailored to their specific needs, experiences, and goals. Together, we will collaborate throughout the treatment process and develop a plan that works best for you.

    The number of sessions needed for EMDR therapy varies based on several factors, including the number of traumatic incidents, how long ago the trauma occurred, and the level of support received afterward.

  • Yes, EMDR therapy can be conducted effectively over telehealth platforms like Zoom with the same results, according to research. Many clients find it more convenient and comfortable to engage in therapy from the privacy and comfort of their own homes.

  • To begin, click the button below to request an appointment session schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.