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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, evidence-based therapy used to help people heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. At Suffolk DBT, our Long Island EMDR therapy services are offered as a stand-alone treatment or as a secondary stage of therapy after completing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). This approach enables clients to process trauma and distressing memories effectively, fostering a new relationship with past experiences.
How EMDR Works
Our EMDR therapy—offered in-person on Long Island or online anywhere in New York—uses bilateral stimulation, such as tapping or eye movements, to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories.
At Suffolk DBT, we typically use tapping, allowing clients to choose whether they want the therapist to tap for them or if they prefer to do it themselves. We’ve found that the vast majority (around 90%) opt to tap for themselves, which gives them a sense of control and grounding during the process.
Why EMDR Can Be Effective So Quickly
Our Long Island EMDR therapy is designed to work efficiently, often requiring less verbal processing than other forms of therapy. We begin by establishing your goals in therapy and identifying the core beliefs associated with your traumatic memories.
From there, we guide you through a “Float Back” technique, revisiting the first, worst, and most recent memories tied to these beliefs. These memories often share a common thread, and many people are surprised to find that by addressing just these three, you can experience relief across many areas of your life.
As you reprocess these memories, we work together to store these memories in a new way, integrating positive cognitions and helping you recognize your resilience and sense of control.
EMDR and DBT: A Powerful Combination
For clients who have completed DBT, our EMDR therapy in New York offers an opportunity to dive deeper into trauma work.
While DBT equips you with skills to manage emotional distress and navigate life more effectively, EMDR addresses the underlying traumatic memories that may continue to cause distress. Even without “big T Trauma,” (i.e. a car accident or particularly distressing experience) many of the clients who benefit from DBT find that EMDR can help soothe traumatic experiences of invalidation they may have experienced throughout their lives.
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Why Choose a DBT-Trained Clinician for EMDR?
With a DBT-trained clinician facilitating your EMDR sessions, your emotional stability is prioritized, ensuring a safe and supportive therapeutic experience.
At Suffolk DBT, our EMDR therapists have a foundational knowledge of DBT that guides the treatment experience. This dual training means we’re equipped to deal with more than trauma and are especially prepared to handle the intensity of the emotions that may surface during EMDR sessions.
Our Long Island EMDR therapy integrates DBT principles like diary cards and phone coaching privileges, ensuring you have comprehensive support throughout your healing journey. Our DBT clinicians also know the value of therapist support, and personally participate in consultation groups, to ensure their clients receive the best care possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
EMDR at Suffolk DBT
During an EMDR session, you’ll be guided to focus on a specific traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, like tapping. This helps your brain reprocess the memory, reducing its emotional impact. At Suffolk DBT, you can choose whether you’d like to tap for yourself or have the therapist do it for you, with most clients opting for the former.
Not necessarily. While our Long Island EMDR therapy is highly effective for clients who have completed DBT, it can also be a stand-alone treatment if you’re in a stable place emotionally. Your therapist will assess your readiness and help determine the best course of action.
The duration of EMDR therapy in New York varies depending on your individual needs. Sessions typically last at least an hour, and the number of sessions required will depend on the complexity of the trauma being addressed. Some clients may need only a few sessions, while others may require more extensive work.
Yes, EMDR therapy in New York can be conducted via telehealth, though it is often more effective in person. If telehealth is a better fit for you, we’ll ensure that it’s suitable for your situation and that you have a stable internet connection to support the process.
Not at all. While EMDR follows a structured process, there’s still plenty of room for your therapist’s personal touch and interpretation.
Q&A with Bridget Castro, EMDR Therapist
Q: What do you find most rewarding about providing EMDR therapy?
Bridget: “It’s a privilege, in my opinion, to hold that space for someone, especially when they’ve never told anyone about their experience. The transformation that happens through EMDR therapy in New York is profound, and it’s incredible to witness clients move from a place of deep distress to one of peace.”
Q: How does your DBT background influence your EMDR practice?
Bridget: “My DBT background is invaluable in my EMDR practice. It allows me to prepare clients thoroughly, ensuring they know what to expect and that they’re emotionally ready for the work. I also integrate DBT tools, like diary cards and weekly phone coaching, to monitor and support clients throughout the EMDR process. My experience with DBT has allowed me to see how powerful these tools can be in supporting someone in treatment.”
Q: Can you describe a typical EMDR session at Suffolk DBT?
Bridget: “We usually don’t jump into EMDR during the first session. There’s a significant amount of preparation involved to ensure clients are fully oriented to what they will experience. This includes history-taking and resourcing, where we make sure clients have the necessary coping skills to handle the memories that will arise during EMDR. By the time we’re ready to begin processing memories, clients know what to expect, understand the style of tapping we’ll be using, and have had the opportunity to ask any questions about the process.
When we’re ready to begin, we’ll start by setting up the memory we’re focusing on, including the negative belief associated with it. Then, we use bilateral stimulation while I ask, ‘What are you noticing?’ You’ll share whatever comes to mind, and we’ll keep going, working to reprocess the memory and bring in a more positive belief.
As we do several passes, I’ll help you pick out the positive or neutral thoughts that are starting to form. At that point, we’ll slow down the tapping to really cement those new beliefs. It’s important to know that sometimes we won’t fully process a memory in one session, and that’s okay. In those cases, I’ll guide you in using your distress tolerance or grounding skills to keep everything manageable until our next session.”
At Suffolk DBT, we understand that the path to healing from trauma can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to walk it alone. Whether you’re seeking EMDR therapy as a continuation of your DBT journey or as a stand-alone treatment, our experienced clinicians are here to support you every step of the way. Our Long Island EMDR therapy services are designed to help you process and reframe your most challenging experiences, empowering you to move forward with resilience and peace of mind.
Ready to explore how EMDR therapy can help you or someone you care about? Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our compassionate team is available both in-person on Long Island and online throughout New York, making it easier than ever to start your journey toward healing.
Contact us now to begin your personalized EMDR therapy at Suffolk DBT and take the first step toward reclaiming your life.
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