Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR in Brooklyn)

6 Key Benefits of Individual Therapy and Psychotherapy

Rapid Relief from Trauma Symptoms

EMDR is known for its ability to provide faster relief from trauma symptoms compared to many traditional talk therapies. Many clients report significant reductions in flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts after just a few sessions. This rapid relief can help you regain a sense of safety and control in your daily life, allowing you to focus on healing and growth.

Improved Emotional Regulation

Through EMDR, you'll learn to process and integrate traumatic memories in a way that reduces their emotional charge. This can lead to improved emotional regulation, helping you manage intense feelings more effectively. You may find that situations that once triggered strong emotional responses become easier to navigate, allowing for greater stability in your mood and relationships.

Enhanced Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy

As you process traumatic experiences through EMDR, you may discover a renewed sense of self-worth and personal strength. Many clients report feeling more confident and capable after treatment, with a stronger belief in their ability to overcome challenges. This enhanced self-esteem can positively impact various areas of your life, from personal relationships to professional endeavors.

Improved Relationships

Trauma can significantly impact your ability to form and maintain healthy relationships. EMDR therapy can help you process past relational traumas, allowing you to approach current relationships with greater openness and trust. You may find it easier to set boundaries, communicate your needs, and connect with others on a deeper level.

Long-lasting Results

One of the most significant benefits of EMDR is the potential for long-lasting results. Unlike some treatments that may provide temporary relief, EMDR aims to reprocess traumatic memories in a way that leads to permanent change. Many clients report that the positive effects of EMDR therapy continue long after treatment has ended, allowing for sustained improvement in their quality of life.

Improved Relationships

Trauma can significantly impact your ability to form and maintain healthy relationships. EMDR therapy can help you process past relational traumas, allowing you to approach current relationships with greater openness and trust. You may find it easier to set boundaries, communicate your needs, and connect with others on a deeper level.

Modalities We Use

Our therapists are skilled in a wide range of therapeutic modalities, including:

Mindfulness-Based Therapies

These approaches, including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), incorporate mindfulness practices into therapeutic work. They help individuals develop present-moment awareness, accept difficult thoughts and feelings without judgment, and align their behaviors with personal values. These therapies are particularly effective for stress reduction, anxiety, and preventing depression relapse.

Psychodynamic Therapy

This approach, rooted in traditional psychoanalysis, explores how past experiences and unconscious processes influence current behavior and relationships. Psychodynamic therapy aims to increase self-awareness, resolve internal conflicts, and improve interpersonal relationships. It often involves exploring childhood experiences and examining patterns in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a widely used, evidence-based approach that focuses on the interconnection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns, replacing them with more balanced, realistic perspectives. CBT is particularly effective for treating anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Therapists often assign homework to practice new cognitive and behavioral skills between sessions.

Integrative Therapy

Many therapists at Crown Counseling use an integrative approach, combining elements from various therapeutic modalities to best meet each client's unique needs. This flexible approach allows therapists to tailor treatment to the individual, drawing on different techniques and theories as appropriate throughout the therapeutic process.

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic approaches, including Person-Centered Therapy and Gestalt Therapy, emphasize personal growth, self-actualization, and the here-and-now experience. These therapies focus on the individual's inherent capacity for self-understanding and positive change. Therapists create a non-judgmental, empathetic environment that encourages self-exploration and personal responsibility.

Understanding EMDR Therapy: Process, Effectiveness, and Research

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapy approach. Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has become a widely recognized treatment for trauma and other distressing life experiences.

The EMDR Process

EMDR therapy follows a structured eight-phase approach:

  1. History-taking: The therapist collects information about the client’s history and identifies potential targets for EMDR treatment.
  2. Preparation: The client is prepared for EMDR by establishing trust, explaining the method, and teaching self-calming techniques.
  3. Assessment: The therapist helps the client identify specific memories to target and the negative beliefs associated with them.
  4. Desensitization: The core of EMDR treatment, where bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements) is used while the client focuses on the traumatic memory.
  5. Installation: Positive beliefs are strengthened to replace the negative ones associated with the traumatic memories.
  6. Body scan: The client is asked to observe their physical response while thinking of the event and the positive belief, addressing any residual tension.
  7. Closure: Ensures the client leaves each session feeling better than at the start.
  8. Re-evaluation: At the beginning of subsequent sessions, the therapist checks to ensure that the positive results have been maintained.

During the bilateral stimulation phases, the client focuses on the memory while simultaneously engaging in eye movements, usually following the therapist’s fingers moving back and forth across the client’s field of vision. Alternatively, hand taps or auditory tones may be used for bilateral stimulation.

How EMDR Works

The exact mechanism of EMDR is still under investigation, but several theories exist:

  • Working Memory Theory: Suggests that the dual attention aspect of EMDR taxes working memory, making the memory less vivid and emotional when recalled.
  • REM-like State: Proposes that the eye movements in EMDR mimic those in REM sleep, facilitating memory processing and integration.
  • Adaptive Information Processing: Shapiro’s model suggests that EMDR helps access and process traumatic memories to integrate them into standard memory networks.

Effectiveness and Statistics

EMDR has been extensively researched and has shown impressive results:

  • A meta-analysis by Chen et al. (2014) found that EMDR therapy significantly reduced symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and subjective distress in PTSD patients[1].
  • The World Health Organization (2013) recommends EMDR as a treatment of choice for post-traumatic stress disorder in children, adolescents, and adults[2].
  • A study by van der Kolk et al. (2007) found that 100% of single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple-trauma victims no longer met the criteria for PTSD after six 50-minute EMDR sessions[3].
  • Research indicates that EMDR can be effective in as few as 3-6 sessions for single-incident traumas, while complex traumas may require more sessions[4].
  • A study by de Roos et al. (2017) found EMDR to be slightly more effective than CBT in treating PTSD in children, with faster reduction of symptoms[5].

Applications Beyond PTSD

While EMDR was initially developed for PTSD, its application has expanded to treat various conditions:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression
  • Phobias
  • Pain management
  • Addiction
  • Grief and loss

Research in these areas is ongoing, with promising results in many fields.

Safety and Considerations

EMDR is generally considered safe, with fewer side effects than some pharmacological treatments for PTSD. However, it can be emotionally intense, and clients may experience distressing memories between sessions. This is why the preparation phase and ongoing support from a trained EMDR therapist are crucial.

At Crown Counseling, our EMDR therapists are certified by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and stay current with the latest research and techniques. We ensure that EMDR is applied safely and effectively, tailoring the approach to each client’s unique needs and circumstances.

If you’re considering EMDR therapy or have questions about whether it might be right for you, we encourage you to reach out to us. Our experienced team is here to provide information, answer your questions, and support you in your journey towards healing.

  1. Chen, Y. R., et al. (2014). Efficacy of eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing for patients with posttraumatic-stress disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One, 9(8), e103676.
  2. World Health Organization. (2013). Guidelines for the management of conditions specifically related to stress. Geneva: WHO.
  3. van der Kolk, B. A., et al. (2007). A randomized clinical trial of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), fluoxetine, and pill placebo in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Treatment effects and long-term maintenance. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 68(1), 37-46.
  4. Shapiro, F. (2014). The role of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in medicine: Addressing the psychological and physical symptoms stemming from adverse life experiences. The Permanente Journal, 18(1), 71-77.
  5. de Roos, C., et al. (2017). Comparison of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, cognitive behavioral writing therapy, and wait-list in pediatric posttraumatic stress disorder following single-incident trauma: A multicenter randomized clinical trial. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 58(11), 1219-1228.

Providers who can provide EMDR

Getting Started is Easy

1. Initial Phone Consultation

We’ll hop on the phone and get a quick minuteof any issues you’re facing. Simply call us at (718) 208 4780

2. Book Appointment

We’ll set up a call and a treatment plan with the right therapist  

3. 1st Session

We’ll set up a call and a treatment plan.

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Frequently asked questions

Starting care is easier than you think.

Much of EMDR therapy consists of identifying the situation that is causing extreme stress or anxiety. A patient will also identify their negative beliefs about themselves and transform these beliefs into positives ones.

One of the first steps of EMDR therapy is learning to cope with unpleasant memories during the session and in between sessions. The therapist who is conducting the EMDR therapy will teach their patient different methods and techniques that help the patient get through their negative memories.

Yes, EMDR can be beneficial for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors who have experienced any type of trauma or distressing situation. For children, EMDR can be a great option for therapy, as the child does not have to struggle with vocalizing an incident and they just visualize it.

EMDR is effective for all forms of trauma, no matter the severity, but some patients may take longer than others to feel healed. Some patients may experience the positive results of EMDR after just three sessions, while others may require several sessions.

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See Who is Available

Choose from our available therapists, you can see their schedule availability by clicking on their profile.

Shulim Goldring

Certified School Psychologist + Psychology Doctoral Intern + Clinical Supervisor

Yocheved Newman

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Dev Rubenstein

Licensed Master Social Worker

Nili Shore

MHC-LP

Hannah Kraus

Licensed Master Social Worker

Jonathan Newman

Licensed Master Social Worker

Judy Leventhal

Licensed Master Social Worker

Cara Goldsmith

Mental Health Counselor

Simcha Yafeh

Licensed Master Social Worker

Sarie Korf

Licensed Master Social Worker

Leora Grunberger

Licensed Master Social Worker

Lea Zajac-Osdoba

Psychotherapist

Moshe Delerb

Licensed Master Social Worker

Efrat Shoshan

Licensed Master Social Worker

Gavriel Velenski

Mental Health Counselor

Shmuel Kesselman

Mental Health Counselor

Racheli Dembinsky

Licensed Master Social Worker

Chanah Faygen

Licensed Master Social Worker

Ben Shannon

Licensed Master Social Worker

Rikal Kahanov

Licensed Master Social Worker

Jennifer Aghavian

Licensed Master Social Worker

Jacqueline Mizrachi

Licensed Master Social Worker