Perinatal EMDR Intensives

The perinatal period—pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum stage—can bring about intense emotional, physical, and psychological challenges. Whether you’re struggling with trauma from a difficult birth experience, anxiety about parenting, or unresolved past experiences affecting your transition to parenthood, Perinatal EMDR Intensives offer a transformative way to heal and process these emotions.

At River Root Counseling Perinatal EMDR Intensives, we provide focused, short-term therapy to help you address and resolve past trauma and current stressors that may be impacting your journey through pregnancy and beyond.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a well-established, evidence-based therapeutic technique designed to help individuals process traumatic memories, negative emotions, and stress. By using bilateral stimulation (usually through guided eye movements), EMDR helps to reprocess distressing memories, reducing their emotional charge and promoting healing.

EMDR is particularly effective in:

Reducing anxiety and stress related to pregnancy or childbirth.
Healing trauma from difficult birth experiences or previous miscarriages.
Addressing postpartum PTSD or birth trauma.
Releasing negative beliefs or emotional blocks that impact the transition to parenthood.

What is Perinatal EMDR Intensive Therapy?

Perinatal EMDR Intensives are designed to provide focused, time-limited therapy sessions for individuals dealing with emotional challenges during the perinatal period. These intensives condense traditional EMDR therapy into a series of focused sessions to achieve deep and lasting emotional healing in a shorter time frame.

Benefits of Perinatal EMDR Intensives include:

Rapid processing of traumatic experiences: Address birth trauma, miscarriage, or other difficult perinatal experiences more quickly.
Improved emotional regulation: Reduce the emotional intensity surrounding stressful pregnancy and postpartum experiences.
Support for perinatal mental health: Address postpartum depression, anxiety, or overwhelm that may arise during or after pregnancy.

Increased readiness for parenthood: Heal emotional wounds and improve your emotional resilience as you prepare for or adjust to parenting.

How Perinatal EMDR Intensives Can Help

EMDR Intensives are ideal for those who want to make significant progress in a short period. This therapy can be particularly helpful for:

Processing Birth Trauma: Many parents experience trauma or distress related to a difficult or traumatic birth experience. EMDR helps individuals reprocess those memories and reduce their emotional impact.
Dealing with Miscarriage or Loss: If you’ve experienced a miscarriage or loss during pregnancy, EMDR can help you process grief and trauma, so you can begin healing and preparing for future pregnancies or life with your family.
Addressing Postpartum PTSD: Birth trauma can lead to symptoms of PTSD. Perinatal EMDR Intensives can help reduce flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and nightmares related to the traumatic experience.
Managing Anxiety and Stress During Pregnancy: EMDR can help reduce fear and anxiety related to pregnancy, childbirth, and becoming a parent.
Healing Past Trauma Affecting Your Parenthood: Whether you’ve experienced childhood trauma or other unresolved emotional wounds, EMDR can help clear emotional blocks that might impact your ability to bond with your baby or navigate your new role as a parent.

Boosting Your Confidence as New Parents: Process any doubts, fears, or emotional hurdles that may arise during your transition to parenthood, helping you approach this new phase of life with clarity and emotional strength.

What to Expect from Your Perinatal EMDR Intensive

Perinatal EMDR Intensives typically take place over the course of several focused sessions, each lasting longer than typical therapy appointments. Here’s what you can expect:

Initial Intake Session: We begin by discussing your concerns, trauma history, and goals for the intensive. During this session, we will assess your needs, explain the EMDR process in detail, and create a personalized plan for your intensive sessions.
Intensive Sessions: You’ll work with your therapist in an extended session format (usually 3 hours per session). During these sessions, you will focus on reprocessing traumatic memories, reducing negative emotions, and healing unresolved issues. We may work on specific perinatal concerns such as birth trauma, anxiety, or postpartum adjustments.
Integration and Follow-Up: After your EMDR Intensive sessions, you will have a follow-up session to ensure the healing process continues. Your therapist will help you integrate the insights gained from EMDR into your everyday life and guide you through any remaining emotions.
Ongoing Support: If needed, you can continue with regular therapy sessions to reinforce the healing from your intensive or address any new challenges that arise.

If you are ready to take the next step in healing and support your emotional well-being during this transformative time, Perinatal EMDR Intensives may be the solution for you.

Phone: 330-585-4563
Email: Nik@riverrootcounseling.com
Location: 2930 Edison St, Uniontown, OH 44685

Couples Counseling FAQ

How many sessions are typically required for an EMDR Intensive?

The number of sessions varies depending on your individual needs and the intensity of the trauma being processed. Typically, intensives may take 3-5 sessions, each lasting 2-3 hours. These can be done in consecutive days, and sometimes twice a day, depending on your needs, schedule, and goals. Your EMDR Intensive therapist will help you determine the best plan for your goals.

Can I do EMDR if I’m currently pregnant?

Yes, EMDR is a safe and effective therapy for pregnant individuals. Your therapist will ensure that the process is adjusted to fit your specific needs and ensure you feel comfortable throughout.

What if I need ongoing support after the intensive?

Following your EMDR Intensive, many clients continue with regular therapy to reinforce the progress made and address any ongoing issues. Your therapist can help you decide what level of ongoing support is needed.

Will I feel emotional after the session?

It is common to feel a mix of emotions after an EMDR session. Some clients feel relief, while others may experience emotional release. Your therapist will provide tools to manage these emotions and help you process any feelings that arise.