I currently see clients through telehealth in Texas and telehealth and in-person in California. I take Kaiser (Southern California) IEHP (California), Lyra (California and Texas), and cash payments (California and Texas). My name is Scott Donovan and I want to walk with you through your struggles. Are you struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma, or your relationship, and do you have the desire to work on change? Are you willing to work on weekly goals and attend weekly therapy sessions? Then we may make a good team. I specialize in individuals, families, couples, and groups. Don’t you feel it is time to make the changes you are desperate to make?

I am trained in CBT Essentials. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common type of talk therapy done with a therapist that helps one become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking, so one can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them more effectively.

I am also trained in Trauma and am currently trained in EMDR therapy. 

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a type of therapy used to help people process traumatic memories, reduce anxiety, and improve overall mental health. It is based on the idea that traumatic experiences can be “stuck” in the brain and cause psychological distress. EMDR uses a series of eye movements to help people reprocess their memories and work through their emotions.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed by Francine Shapiro to help individuals resolve the effects of recurring distressing events. EMDR therapy has been shown to be very effective for traumas and other conditions.

EMDR consists of 8 phases that focus on helping clients identify their triggers, understand the impact of trauma, and develop coping strategies. This therapy has been proven to be effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, phobias, and other mental health conditions. Additionally, it can also provide long-term benefits such as improved self-esteem and better relationships with others.

The Eight Phases of EMDR are: 

1) history taking and treatment planning, 2) preparation, 3) assessment, 4) desensitization, 5) installation, 6) body scan, 7) closure, and 8) reevaluation.

 

• Phase 1: The first phase begins with a discussion between the therapist and client regarding what brings the client into therapy and how EMDR therapy can be used best for that client. The therapist and client develop a secure working relationship. The client’s history is discussed and a treatment plan is developed with attention to the pacing of therapy and the selection of traumatic events that will be part of the treatment. In addition, the client’s internal and external resources are assessed.

• Phase 2: In the preparation phase, the therapist explains the EMDR therapy process, terms, and sets expectations. Any client concerns and questions are addressed and a safe therapeutic alliance between therapist and client is established. The therapist and client collaborate to prepare specific techniques to cope with any emotional disturbance that might come up. Some clients need quite a bit of time in phases 1 and 2 in order to feel ready to move on to the following phases.

• Phase 3: In assessment, the event to reprocess (also known as the target event) is identified, along with images, beliefs, feelings, and sensations about the event. Initial baseline measures are set by using the Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) scale and the Validity of Cognition (VOC) scale.

The next three phases are known as the ‘reprocessing’ phases and all involve dual attention bilateral stimulation (BLS). Dual attention BLS activates the client’s information processing system while keeping the client anchored in the present moment. Dual attention BLS can be side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps.

• Phase 4: In the fourth phase, desensitization, the side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps are begun while focusing on the traumatic event, and continue until the client’s SUD reduces to zero (or 1 if appropriate). During this time, new thoughts, sensations, images, and feelings may emerge.

• Phase 5: When desensitization is complete, installation begins. In this phase, the client associates and strengthens a positive belief with the target event until it feels completely true.

• Phase 6: During the body scan, the client is asked to hold in mind the target event and the positive belief while scanning the body from head to toe. Any lingering disturbance from the body is reprocessed.

The last two phases ensure safety for the client both at the end of a current session and at the beginning of the next session.

• Phase 7: Every session of reprocessing ends with the seventh phase, closure, in which the client is assisted to return to a state of calm in the present moment whether the reprocessing is complete or not. Reprocessing of an event is complete when the client feels neutral about it (SUD=0), the positive belief feels completely true (VOC=7), and the body is completely clear of disturbance.

• Phase 8: Reevaluation, is how each new session begins after reprocessing. The client and therapist discuss recently processed memories to ensure that distress is still low and that the positive cognition is still strong. Future targets and directions for continued treatment are determined.

-Susanna Kaufman, MA, EMDRIA Staff https://www.emdria.org/public-resources/the-eight-phases-of-emdr-therapy/

 

References:

Hase, M. (2021). The structure of EMDR therapy: A guide for the therapist. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 660753. Open access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.660753

Hase, M., Balmaceda, U.M., Ostacoli, L., Libermann., P., & Hofmann, A. (2017). The AIP model of EMDR therapy and pathogenic memories. Frontiers in Psychology 8: 1578. Open access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01578

Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (3rd ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press

I am compassionate and understanding. If you are struggling with something and you are willing to make a change and work on that change, then let's discuss it and see if we are a good fit, send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you and hope that we can work towards your goals for something different.
If this sounds like you, take the next step and contact us.
I look forward to hearing from you and possibly working with you.
Scott

My current cash fees are:

$100.00 per 30-minute session

$160.00 per 53-minute session

$240.00 per 75-minute session

$300.00 per 90-minute session

Prices will increase in January 2023!

To start the process fill out this form.