EMDR + Trauma HEALING IN SAN FRANCISCO + BENICIA
EMDR for TRAUMA healing
What is EMDR?
EMDR is short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a type of psychotherapy designed to help individuals heal from traumatic experiences and other distressing life events. It's an evidence-based treatment primarily used for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but can also be helpful for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR utilizes bilateral stimulation, such as eye movement (using a wand or light bar), gentle tapping on the body, the use of buzzers that vibrate, and alternating sound tones through headphones, while the individual focuses on a traumatic memory. This process is believed to help the brain reprocess the memory in a way that is less distressing and more adaptive. During EMDR processing, the distress of traumatic memories is eliminated and the negative beliefs attached to them are reprocessed with healthier, positive beliefs in their place.
EMDR therapy involves a structured eight-phase approach that includes history taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation.
Who can benefit?
EMDR is appropriate for individuals experiencing PTSD, anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, addiction and disordered eating along with other trauma-related issues.
How effective is EMDR?
EMDR therapy is an evidence based practice and has shown to be more effective than placebo treatments, and to treatments not specifically designed for PTSD. EMDR has outperformed active listening, cognitive, psychodynamic, or behavioral therapy and relaxation training with biofeedback. You can find studies that compare EMDR to other treatments here. Post treatment follow up studies have shown the effects of treatment to be long-lasting.
Can any Therapist use EMDR with their clients?
Unfortunately, no. EMDR must be practiced by a licensed clinician who has completed additional training specifically for EMDR and participated in consultation hours with a seasoned EMDR practitioner.
Here are the practitioners who are currently practicing EMDR at The Connective:
FLASH TECHNIQUE for TRAUMA healing
What is The Flash Technique?
The Flash Technique is a trauma therapy method developed by Dr. Philip Manfield and Dr. Lewis Engel.
The goal of Flash Technique is similar to EMDR as it aims to rapidly decrease the disturbance level of a traumatic memory, making it more manageable for processing with other therapeutic techniques like EMDR or as a standalone treatment.
How does The Flash Technique work?
The technique involves quickly "flashing" a client's attention between a positive, engaging focus (like a safe place or pleasant memory) and the distressing memory. This is often done with brief eye movements or other bilateral stimulation.
What are the benefits of The Flash Technique?
Reduces the emotional intensity of traumatic memories without prolonged exposure to the distress.
Can make traumatic memories easier to process with other trauma-focused therapies.
May help clients engage more comfortably with everyday activities.
Can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other approaches.
Can any Therapist use The Flash Technique with their clients?
Unfortunately, no. The Flash Technique must be practiced by a licensed clinician who has completed additional training specifically for The Flash Technique.
Here are the practitioners who are currently practicing The Flash Technique at The Connective:
SOMATIC EXPERIENCING for TRAUMA healing
What is Somatic Experiencing (SE)?
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-centered therapeutic approach designed to help individuals heal from trauma and stress-related conditions. Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, SE focuses on resolving the physiological effects of trauma rather than just addressing thoughts or memories. By paying attention to bodily sensations, SE helps the nervous system release stored stress, leading to emotional regulation, resilience, and healing.
How does Somatic Experiencing work?
SE works by gently guiding individuals to notice sensations in their body, such as tension, warmth, or tingling, that are associated with past traumatic experiences. Through this awareness, clients can process and release trapped energy or “stuck” survival responses (like fight, flight, or freeze) in a safe, controlled manner. This helps the nervous system recalibrate and reduces the physical and emotional impact of trauma.
Therapists may use techniques such as guided awareness, movement, or tracking subtle shifts in sensation. Unlike some traditional talk therapies, SE emphasizes experiencing trauma through the body.
Who can benefit?
Somatic Experiencing is suitable for anyone experiencing:
Post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
Anxiety or panic
Chronic stress or overwhelm
Depression related to trauma
Physical symptoms linked to emotional trauma (e.g., tension, pain)
Complex trauma or developmental trauma
How effective is Somatic Experiencing?
Research and clinical experience show that SE can significantly reduce trauma symptoms, improve emotional regulation, and enhance resilience. By targeting the body’s physiological response to trauma, SE can provide relief where cognitive or talk-based therapies alone may fall short.
Here are the practitioners who are currently practicing Somatic Experiencing at The Connective:
Trauma-informed
Approaches
Our team of practitioners practice from an “integrative” perspective, meaning we utilize and interweave different therapeutic modalities into our work depending on the needs and personalities of each client. All of our practitioners use a collaborative, strengths-based lens, which will help you to hone in on and build upon your personal strengths and natural resilience.
Our practitioners lean on the following trauma-informed approaches:
EMDR
Flash Technique
Somatic Experiencing
Attachment-Based Therapy
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Humanistic / Person-Centered Therapy
Culturally Affirming Care
Mindfulness-Based Approaches (DBT, ACT, MBCT)
Poly-vagal Informed Therapy
Narrative Therapy