Navigating life's ups and downs is difficult for everyone and, often, it is nice to have an unbiased ear to talk to or get objective advice from. Elisabeth especially enjoys helping people who are struggling with anxiety and depression because they are common ailments that respond well to therapy. Elisabeth uses evidenced-based practices which, have been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate the physical discomfort of anxiety, soothe the emotional impact of depression and heal traumatic wounds. We can transform our stumbling blocks into stepping stones, one day at a time!
In our first session, we will discuss your symptoms and what situation or circumstance has brought you to therapy. We will discuss your history regarding your family, relationships and what you may have gained from therapy in the past, if you have ever had therapy before. I will be able to identify your diagnosis, treatment method, interventions and prognosis for recovery. We will then develop a treatment plan together which highlights what areas we will focus on in ongoing sessions. Then we will schedule weekly sessions at on a regularly scheduled time and day that works for your schedule.
In an unpredictable ever changing world, it can be difficult to feel grounded; it can be difficult to find the way. Anxiety and depression are very common but, often, there is no where to turn and it might seem like no one understands. There is hope and treatment available and often relief can be felt within a relitively short amount of time, depending on the situation. You don't have to navigate life alone, help is on the way.
I was born in Indonesia and raised in Cairo Egypt until age 18. I enjoy working with culturally diverse populations with various religious and ethnic backgrounds.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It is primarily used to help individuals process and heal from trauma or distressing experiences. EMDR is based on the idea that negative emotions and memories can be "stuck" in the brain, and the therapy helps to process these memories so they no longer cause emotional distress. The core of EMDR involves a structured eight-phase approach, which includes: History-taking and treatment planning: The therapist assesses the client's history and identifies specific traumatic memories to target. Preparation: The therapist builds rapport with the client and explains the EMDR process, ensuring the client feels safe and informed. Assessment: The therapist helps the client identify a specific memory to focus on and connects it to associated negative beliefs, emotions, and physical sensations. Desensitization: Through bilateral stimulation (often in the form of guided eye movements, though tapping or auditory tones can also be used), the client processes the memory and its associated emotions. The goal is to reduce the distress related to the memory. Installation: The therapist helps the client strengthen positive beliefs to replace the negative ones associated with the memory. Body scan: The client scans their body for any remaining physical tension or discomfort related to the memory. Closure: The therapist ensures the client returns to a state of emotional equilibrium at the end of each session, even if the full memory processing isn't complete. Reevaluation: In subsequent sessions, the therapist assesses the progress and determines whether the memory processing has been effective. EMDR has been shown to be effective for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related conditions. It's often considered a powerful therapy for individuals who have not fully processed their traumatic experiences through traditional talk therapy.