EMDR Therapist in Los Angeles
Discover Greater Emotional Groundedness with EMDR Therapy
If yoususpect you might benefit from EMDR therapy, please reach out for help. As an EMDR therapist, I would be glad to fill you in about the process and see if EMDR would be a good fit for you.
Hi! I'm Toby, an EMDR Certified Therapist
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #89672) based in my own private practice in Los Angeles, California. I’ve worked in mental health and sex and gender since 2013, and I absolutely love it. Working with queer and trans communities, treating trauma, and helping clients improve their quality of life are some of my greatest passions.
Online and In-Person EMDR Therapy in Los Angeles and Burbank.
Los Angeles
1910 Hillhurst Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(424) 835-0516
Click for Directions
Burbank
1201 S Victory Blvd #206 Burbank, CA 91502 (213) 616-7366 Click for Directions
Have Questions? I offer a Free 15-Minute Consultation.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a powerful form of psychotherapy and modality developed by Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., that helps you safely process traumatic memories so they no longer have such a grip on your mind and body. Research shows that EMDR therapy is a highly effective treatment for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, anxiety, and panic.
What to Expect from an EMDR Treatment?
EMDR trauma counseling has eight phases of treatment:
- History and treatment planning
- Client preparation
- Assessment
- Desensitization
- Installation
- Body scan
- Closure
- Reevaluation
During the process, your brain will access the traumatic information that has been wreaking havoc, and start the healing process.
Dual (or bilateral) stimulation is a primary tool used in this model, and it facilitates the digestion of unprocessed traumatic memories and decreases their emotional charge.
Ultimately, the traumatic memories are then associated with more positive or neutral emotional states instead.
How Do I Know I Need EMDR Counseling?
Trauma can come in many shapes and sizes, and not all negative experiences are perceived as harmful.
However, some symptoms may indicate the presence of traumatic events in your past. You may make the most of the benefits of EMDR therapy if you have:
- Inexplicable, unwanted, and disturbing thoughts
- Anxiety and a constant high alert status
- Sleep issues and nightmares
- Panic attacks
- Phobias and fears
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Unresolved grief
- Confusing interactions in your relationships that tend to repeat themselves
What to Expect When Working with an EMDR Trauma Therapist?
As an EMDR certified therapist, I will first prepare you for EMDR with tools and exercises that will help keep the process tolerable and effective. Then I will guide you through bite-sized pieces of traumatic and triggering experiences, while we use the tools we learned in the beginning. All of this happens in a safe, contained space, as I direct you through various desensitizing exercises.
You will reconnect with the images, thoughts, negative emotions, and body sensations associated with the traumatic experience while being in a safe environment and under my constant guidance.
A session lasts about an hour. You may need only a few or several sessions, depending on the type of trauma you experienced.
EMDR Therapy in Los Angeles for Lasting Relief from Trauma
EMDR is not your traditional talk therapy. EMDR is about using mindfulness and mood regulation tools as you revisit important memories and dissipate their emotional charge and impact.
Furthermore, EMDR unveils not only the disruptive, unprocessed memory but also the belief that came to be associated with the memory.
If you are struggling with negative beliefs, you will see what it’s like to let them evolve into more adaptive ones and move forward.
Start Your Journey to Wellness Today. Schedule Your Free Consultation
Remember that you’re not damaged and you’re not broken. You might just not have found the tool that works best for you yet. Reaching out for help can be tough, but it’s such a basic human need. It doesn’t have to be embarrassing. Getting help is the fastest path to feeling better. Don’t hesitate to reach out today.
01.
Initial Consultation
We’ll have a brief call to get to know each other. We’ll discuss your needs and how I can help.
02.
In-Person or Telehealth
Our sessions can be held virtually for your convenience. No long commutes to come see me if that’s not your preference.
03.
Time to Do the Work
Recovery can be a long and difficult road, but it’s worth it. We’ll work through it together
EMDR Therapy Resources
Learn more about how Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can help with a variety of emotional and mental health challenges. The following guides dive deeper into how EMDR works and who can benefit from it:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, EMDR trauma therapy has been extensively researched and found to be an effective treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This form of therapy for trauma is recognized by leading health organizations, including the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as an effective trauma treatment.
EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation (BLS)—which can be in the form of eye movements, tapping, or sound—to engage the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This allows both sides of your brain to communicate and reprocess distressing memories, which may have been stored in a fragmented or “stuck” way.
This integrative process supports your brain’s natural information processing system, helping you move through trauma instead of staying stuck in it and feel safe.
EMDR therapy is a powerful tool for healing trauma and PTSD, but there are certain conditions and situations where it might not be recommended, or additional precautions are necessary:
- Certain Severe Mental Health Disorders
- Substance Abuse
- Unstable Living Situations
- Certain Medical Conditions
- Certain Types of Currently Ongoing Trauma
- Reluctance to Engage in the Process
If you have concerns about whether you may undergo EMDR therapy, don’t hesitate to contact me.
EMDR therapy is most widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and trauma-related issues. However, research and clinical experience have shown that EMDR can be beneficial for a wide range of psychological conditions and problems.
EMDR therapy is generally considered safe and effective for trauma recovery and treating other psychological issues. However, like any therapeutic intervention, it can have potential risks or adverse effects, especially if not conducted by a trained therapist or if the individual is not adequately prepared for the emotional processing involved.
EMDR may be covered by some insurance plans, but I’m not currently on any insurance panels. I’m happy to provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement, and I encourage you to check with your insurer to see whether they accept superbills and what your out-of-network benefits include.