Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: EMDR Therapy

Image of a woman using her fingers to symbolize EMDR. Overcome your anxiety, depression, and more with the help of EMDR therapy in Las Vegas, NV can help you work through your symptoms.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Are you feeling frozen with anxiety and not able to do the things you would like to do, stuck with negative thoughts about yourself or others, or feeling trapped by the past that interferes with your life today? Are you experiencing difficulties with sleeping, have ups and downs with your emotions, or have lower energy than you would like?

If this sounds familiar, Kari Barker at the DBT Center of the South Bay can help. Kari offers Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR is an integrative, structured psychotherapy that can provide quick relief and healing so you can be free to live the life you want to live today.

What is EMDR?

Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., developed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in the late 1980s for treating trauma. She created a set of standardized protocols that incorporate elements from many different treatment approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Research has shown that EMDR helps more than trauma. It is helpful for depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.

What does EMDR treat?

EMDR Therapy is effective for many mental health issues, symptoms, and challenges:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Complex PTSD
Traumatic Invalidation
Developmental Trauma
Panic Attacks
Anxiety & Social Anxiety
Phobias
Depression
Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders
Personality Disorders
Disturbing Memories & Nightmares
Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse & Sexual Assault
Bullying
Self-Esteem Issues
Substance Abuse & Addictions
Grief & Loss
Interpersonal Distress & Relationship Issues
Car accidents
Natural disasters
Chronic Illness & Medical Conditions
Sleep disturbance

Image of a smiling woman hugging herself. If you struggle with anxiety, learn how EMDR therapy in Las Vegas, NV can help you work to overcome your symptoms.

How does EMDR work?

Sometimes, our experiences, memories, and traumas get stuck in our brains, which leads us to relive those traumas and memories over and over again. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, impacting how the brain does its processing. After a successful EMDR session, the brain can unstick the trauma or memory and process it usually. What’s cool about EMDR is that it is like when we sleep in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. When traumas and memories are processed, we usually no longer relive the experiences over and over. The memories do not go away. However, we are just not bothered by them mentally, emotionally, or physically. So, we are free to live life today.

EMDR Sessions

Kari Barker will work with you in identifying what current problems are getting in the way of the life you want and, together, determine which target memories to work on clearing. Before beginning any reprocessing, Kari will spend some time helping you learn ways of staying in the present moment, being able to relax and tolerate any distress, and developing ways to reduce vulnerabilities with a self-care plan using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills. She will help you with all that you need for support both in and out of sessions.

She will then go over the different types of bilateral stimulation (BLS) that she uses, and you will decide together which is the most effective for you:

Eye movements
Tapping
Sounds
Tactile

When ready, Kari will begin with the subsequent phases of EMDR. You will pay attention to an image that represents the event, negative thoughts about yourself, positive thoughts you would like to have about yourself, emotions, distress level, and body sensations. After each set of BLS, Kari will ask you what you are noticing now. You are in complete control and can stop at any point if needed. The goal is to process information differently so you may experience changes in the image, thoughts, emotions, and beliefs about the event.

Sessions generally last 50 to 110 minutes. Kari will work with each client’s needs and schedule to ensure what is more effective and stay true to this evidence-based treatment. Kari will wrap up each session, guiding you through a safe, calm state of being and making sure you have your skills and self-care plan for supporting yourself in between sessions.

Learn More About EMDR Therapy

EMDRIA.org is the best place to gain more information on EMDR.

Learn more

Image of an older bearded man wearing glasses and smiling. If you struggle with depression, learn to cope with your symptoms in healthy ways with the help of EMDR therapy in Las Vegas, NV.

Why Should I Come to Kari Barker, LMFT / DBT Center of the South Bay for EMDR Treatment

Kari Barker is passionate about helping clients live the life they want to live. She loves working alongside each of her clients on their journey through challenging and sometimes painful times to the joys of experiencing living life. Kari uses evidence-based treatments and works at finding a balance between them to meet the needs of each of her clients. She has been practicing EMDR since 2006.

Her training was through the EMDR Institute founded by Francine Shapiro, the creator of EMDR) She recently completed more training through the EMDR Institute on the enhanced changes of EMDR and is working on her certification in EMDR. She has also had extensive training and experience in trauma and dissociation. She is a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™.

Begin EMDR Therapy in Las Vegas, NV and Torrance, CA

Are you ready to regain control of your life and find healing from trauma, anxiety, depression, and more? Take the first step towards emotional well-being and transformation with EMDR therapy at the DBT Center of the South Bay. Embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing, and let us help you unlock the path to a brighter and more resilient future. Your journey to a happier and healthier you begins now. Follow these three simple steps to get started:

Reach out to us using the contact form.
Meet with a skilled EMDR therapist.
Begin overcoming your symptoms in a positive way!

Other Services at DBT Center of South Bay

DBT Center of the South Bay has helped many people find the motivation to live fuller, more connected lives. In addition to providing EMDR Therapy, I provide treatment options using DBT Therapy for adults to help with managing anger, social isolation, and loneliness. I also specialize in helping those experiencing suicidal thoughts and self-harm behaviors. Located in Las Vegas, NV, and Torrance, CA, you can access my services from anywhere in the states of California and Nevada using online therapy.