At Creative Counseling Colorado, we offer a range of therapeutic services to support the mental and emotional well-being of children and adolescents. One of the effective methods we use is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Here’s what you need to know about EMDR and how it can benefit teens, tweens, and kids.
WHAT IS EMDR THERAPY?
EMDR THERAPY
EMDR therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach designed to help individuals process and recover from traumatic experiences and other distressing life events. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR involves using bilateral stimulation (often through eye movements, taps, or tones) while the individual recalls distressing memories. This process helps to reduce the emotional intensity of the memories and allows for more adaptive processing.
HOW EMDR WORKS
During EMDR sessions, the therapist guides the individual through a series of phases:
1. HISTORY AND TREATMENT PLANNING: The therapist takes a detailed history and develops a treatment plan tailored to the individual's needs.
2. PREPARATION: The therapist explains the EMDR process, teaches relaxation techniques, and ensures the individual feels safe and supported.
3. ASSESSMENT: The therapist identifies specific memories and associated negative beliefs that will be targeted during EMDR.
4. DESENSITIZATION: Using bilateral stimulation, the individual recalls the targeted memory while focusing on the associated negative thoughts and feelings. This phase continues until the distress associated with the memory significantly decreases.
5. INSTALLATION: The therapist helps the individual replace negative beliefs with positive, adaptive beliefs.
6. BODY SCAN: The therapist checks for any remaining physical tension or distress related to the memory and addresses it if necessary.
7. CLOSURE: The therapist ensures the individual feels stable and uses relaxation techniques to end the session.
8. REEVALUATION: At the beginning of the next session, the therapist evaluates the individual's progress and determines the next steps.
EMDR FOR TEENS
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ADDRESSING TRAUMA: Teens who have experienced trauma, such as abuse, accidents, or loss, can benefit from EMDR. It helps them process these events and reduce associated anxiety and depression.
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MANAGING ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION: EMDR can be effective in treating anxiety and depression by targeting underlying negative beliefs and distressing memories.
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IMPROVING SELF-ESTEEM: By addressing and reprocessing negative self-beliefs, EMDR can help teens build a more positive self-image.
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BULLYING AND PEER PRESSURE: EMDR can help tweens cope with the emotional impact of bullying and peer pressure, reducing feelings of isolation and inadequacy.
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BEHAVIORAL ISSUES: By addressing underlying traumas and negative beliefs, EMDR can help improve behavior and emotional regulation in tweens.
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EMDR FOR TWEENS
EMDR FOR KIDS
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EARLY TRAUMA: EMDR can be adapted for younger children to help them process early traumatic experiences, such as medical procedures, accidents, or family disruptions.
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ANXIETY AND PHOBIAS: EMDR can reduce anxiety and phobias in children by desensitizing them to distressing memories and associations.
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IMPROVING EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE: EMDR helps children develop healthier coping mechanisms and emotional resilience by reprocessing negative experiences.
GET STARTED WITH EMDR THERAPY TODAY
If your child, tween, or teen is struggling with the effects of trauma, anxiety, or other emotional challenges, EMDR therapy at Creative Counseling Colorado could be the solution. Contact us today to learn more about our EMDR services and how we can support your family in achieving emotional well-being and resilience.
PARENT COACHING
When you become a parent, there is no manual that comes with your child. Learning how to effectively and properly parent a child with any challenges or difficulties is not straightforward. Thankfully, Creative Counseling Colorado is here to help using our extensive backgrounds and training, access to helpful resources, and desire to build confidence in both you as a parent and in your child.
Leigh Bates is a Positive Discipline Parent Educator who happily works with parents via coaching appointments to educate and inspire positive parenting skills for the everyday parent.
BEGIN YOUR THERAPY EXPERIENCE
COUNSELING RATES
While our services range depending on the needs of you and your child, our rates are outlined below to best support the advanced education of our therapists and the quality of treatment you can expect to receive.
Leigh Bates - Owner: Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Art Therapist & Play Therapist, Positive Discipline Parent Educator
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$150-200 PER SESSION
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It is our promise to empower you and your child through the transformative process of art therapy and play therapy, fostering self-expression, resilience, and emotional healing in a supportive and creative environment.