Art Therapy + Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Midtown Manhattan and Bronxville NY
Online Teletherapy & In-Person
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and Art Therapy
A mouthful-we know! The integration of Art Therapy and EMDR creates a synergistic approach that helps folks identify and manage emotions, and experience personal growth through the synergy of these therapeutic approaches.
“Like EMDR therapy, Expressive Arts therapy is considered a bottom-up trauma approach that accepts that trauma memories are often stored in the body and the body's sensations. Accessing and integrating these sensory aspects of an implicitly stored trauma memory plays a crucial part of healing and integration.”
- EMDRIA (2022)
How do Art Therapy and EMDR compliment each other?
“Expressive methods are helpful because, in EMDR, they allow the client to show or talk about things in a different way.” - Malchiodi, 2022
Art Therapy will be used as a tool to enhance and prepare for EMDR therapy. Art Therapy may also be used to help reinforce and integrate reprocessing experiences brought up by EMDR, before or after EMDR sessions. Our EMDR clients may use art therapy as a tool to cope with distressing emotions, promote grounding and relaxation, and instill a sense of inner safety.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is an interactive psychotherapy technique used to relieve psychological stress, and process traumatic memories. EMDR Therapy has an eight step process, in which the individual purposely recalls traumatic images and memories in manageable doses, while the therapist creates a sensory input, such as side-to-side eye movements or tapping. Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) enables people to heal from the symptoms of trauma and emotional distress through this integrative approach to reprocessing disturbing memories and experiences.
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy is a type of psychotherapy involving creative self expression through various art making materials. Art therapy provides a unique avenue for individuals to express their thoughts and emotions visually, complementing the verbal aspects of therapy. Through art, clients better understand their cognitive patterns and beliefs.
What can EMDR help with?
The integration of EMDR with Art Therapy is a groundbreaking approach for children, teens and adults that holds tremendous promise in the treatment of anxiety, trauma, and emotion regulation.
EMDR therapy can help children, teens and adults resolve traumatic memories, process grief and loss, and address PSTD, Anxiety, Panic, and Depressive symptoms. If you’re experiencing ongoing intrusive memories, flashbacks or physical symptoms of anxiety, EMDR might be a good fit.
Combining EMDR Therapy with Art Therapy can help folks better process their experiences, reduce distressing symptoms, challenge negative beliefs and regain a sense of control over their lives.
Our Qualifications
Our New York State Licensed and Board-Certified Art Therapists providing EMDR Therapy have completed at least 50+ hours of EMDRIA-approved EMDR training and consultation. They continue to pursue trainings, consultation, and certification in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
Art Therapists are Masters-level mental health professionals who have completed extensive training in Art Therapy and Psychotherapy. All of our Art Therapists have graduated from an accredited two-year Masters degree program with 1,000 of supervised clinical internship experience and at least 1,500 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical experience. Our therapists participate in ongoing weekly clinical supervision.