What does a session look like?
Once you've made the decision that you're ready to pursue therapy, a dozen more questions spring to mind. How long will it take? Will it be difficult? Will I like my therapist? And, the one we hear most frequently, "What will we do for an entire hour." Of course, everyone's journey is different, but we've outlined what a more typical session for an established patient might look like below.
The First 20 Minutes–Assess and Reflect
We'll spend the first part of the session looking to what you learned in the previous session and how it impacted your past week or two. We might discuss things like:
How did you feel after your EMDR session last week?
How has your mindfulness practice been coming along?
Tell me about your self-care?
Do you have any new questions or concerns you'd like to talk through?
Next 20-30 Minutes–Process with EMDR
We'll work together utilizing EMDR to help process difficult emotions or thoughts. We might use eye movements, electronic tappers or self-tapping, which feels right for the session. We'll take breaks as needed so you can ground yourself or deal with parts of yourself that may be blocking the process.
Last 10-20 Minutes–Engage, Summarize, and Plan
After EDMR, we'll move to grounding or mindfulness work before summarizing the session and talking about homework.
Your therapist will guide you through a relaxing grounding or meditation
1.
We'll review highlights and insights from the session
2.
We'll discuss homework such as daily mindfulness practice, starting an exercise program, or improving sleep hygiene.