EMDR and Trauma Therapy in Cooper City: Is It Right for You?

TLDR

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured trauma-focused psychotherapy recommended by the 2023 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline as one of the most supported treatments for PTSD [1].
  
• The VA/DoD guideline recommends trauma-focused psychotherapy, including EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Prolonged Exposure, over medication alone for most people with PTSD [1].
  
• EMDR is a talk-and-process therapy delivered by a trained psychotherapist, not a medication and not a psychiatric prescribing service [2].
  
• For some people, psychiatric care and medication management work alongside trauma-focused therapy as part of a coordinated plan [3].
  
• Twelve Oaks Psychiatry provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management for trauma and PTSD, and can help coordinate referral to a qualified trauma therapist for EMDR [4].
  
• If symptoms feel urgent, immediate support is available through 988 and 911 [5].

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR is a structured psychotherapy that helps a person process distressing memories tied to trauma. During sessions, a trained therapist guides the person to bring a difficult memory to mind while following a back-and-forth movement, sound, or tap [2]. The goal is to help the brain reprocess the memory so it carries less emotional charge over time.

EMDR is delivered in a series of sessions, often around 8 to 16, depending on the person and the nature of the trauma [1]. It is a form of talk-based, trauma-focused therapy. It is not a medication, and it is performed by a licensed psychotherapist trained in the method rather than by a prescriber.

Does EMDR work for PTSD?

Yes. The 2023 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline lists EMDR among the trauma-focused psychotherapies with the strongest research support for PTSD, alongside Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure [1]. These guidelines recommend trauma-focused psychotherapy over medication for many people, based on larger and longer-lasting improvement seen with therapy [1].

That said, response to any treatment varies from person to person. What helps one individual may not be the right starting point for another, which is why a thorough evaluation matters before deciding on a path [3].

How is EMDR different from medication management?

EMDR and medication management address PTSD in different ways, and they can complement each other. EMDR is a psychotherapy that works directly with traumatic memories through guided processing [2]. Medication management is psychiatric care that may use prescribed medications to help with symptoms such as sleep disruption, anxiety, or depressed mood that often accompany trauma [3].

Some people benefit from therapy alone. Others find that a combination of trauma-focused therapy and psychiatric care fits their needs better. The right mix depends on the person’s symptoms, history, and goals, and is best decided through evaluation rather than assumption.

Who is EMDR right for?

EMDR may be a strong fit for a person living with PTSD or persistent distress connected to a specific traumatic event or events [1]. It is used with adults and, in appropriate settings, with adolescents under the care of a trained therapist.

EMDR is not the only path. Some people respond well to other trauma-focused therapies, and some need psychiatric support for co-occurring symptoms before or during therapy. A person who is unsure where to begin can start with a psychiatric evaluation, which helps clarify what kind of care is likely to help most [3].

What does Twelve Oaks Psychiatry offer for trauma and PTSD?

Twelve Oaks Psychiatry provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management for people affected by trauma and PTSD [4]. The practice does not provide EMDR directly, because EMDR is a psychotherapy delivered by a trained therapist. Where EMDR or another trauma-focused therapy is appropriate, the practice can help a person connect with a qualified provider and coordinate care so that psychiatric treatment and therapy work together.

This matters for people who feel stranded between services. A person may already be in therapy and need psychiatric support for symptoms, or may need an evaluation first to understand their options. Both are part of what psychiatric care can offer.

Getting started in Cooper City

For people in South Florida seeking psychiatric care for trauma or PTSD, Twelve Oaks Psychiatry offers evaluation and medication management with Michael Hernandez, APRN, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. The practice is located at 10400 Griffin Rd, Suite 201, Cooper City, FL 33328, and can be reached at (954) 947-1130.

Same-day appointments are available, and telehealth psychiatry is offered statewide across Florida, which makes it easier to begin care without a long wait or a long drive. The practice accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Patients are encouraged to confirm in-network status with their plan. Where trauma-focused therapy such as EMDR is part of the picture, Michael can discuss how psychiatric care fits alongside it and help coordinate a referral.

What to expect at a first psychiatric appointment

A first appointment usually focuses on understanding the person’s history, current symptoms, and goals [3]. There is no requirement to recount every detail of a trauma to begin care. The conversation is meant to build a clear picture so that the person and provider can agree on a reasonable next step, whether that is medication management, a referral for trauma-focused therapy, or both.

People often feel more at ease once they understand that the first visit is a conversation, not a test. Care moves at a pace that respects what the person is ready for. People who want a fuller picture of what chronic PTSD treatment involves can read about the therapy options and typical timelines before their first visit.

FAQ

Is EMDR available at Twelve Oaks Psychiatry?
EMDR is a psychotherapy delivered by a trained therapist, and Twelve Oaks Psychiatry does not provide it directly. The practice offers psychiatric evaluation and medication management for trauma and PTSD, and can help coordinate a referral to a qualified EMDR therapist where appropriate [4].

Is EMDR proven to help with PTSD?
EMDR is recommended by the 2023 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline as one of the trauma-focused psychotherapies with the strongest research support for PTSD [1]. Individual response varies, so an evaluation helps determine the best starting point.

Can I do EMDR through telehealth?
Some trauma-focused therapies can be delivered through secure video when validated for that format or when other options are limited [1]. Whether EMDR by telehealth fits a given person is a decision made with a trained therapist.

Do I need medication if I am doing trauma therapy?
Not necessarily. Some people benefit from therapy alone, while others find that psychiatric care and medication help with symptoms such as sleep or anxiety during therapy [3]. The right combination is decided through evaluation.

Can a teen receive care for trauma?
Yes. Adolescents can receive psychiatric evaluation and care for trauma in appropriate settings, and trauma-focused therapy for teens is delivered by therapists trained to work with younger people [3]. A psychiatric evaluation can help a parent understand the options.

How soon can I be seen at Twelve Oaks Psychiatry?
Same-day appointments are available, and telehealth is offered statewide across Florida [4]. Patients are encouraged to confirm in-network status with their plan.

What if my symptoms feel urgent or I am in crisis?
If you feel you might harm yourself or someone else, or you are in immediate danger, call 911 right away. For crisis support, you can call or text 988. Florida lists 211 as a resource for crisis information and referrals in many communities [5].

HIPAA and Medical Disclaimer

This blog is general education, not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this does not create a clinician-patient relationship.

If you feel you might harm yourself or someone else, or you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 right away.

For crisis support, you can call or text 988. Florida lists 2-1-1 as a resource for crisis information and referrals in many communities.

Privacy note: Do not share sensitive personal health information through public comments, unsecured email, or social media. For care questions, use a secure patient portal or call an office line so your information can be handled privately, consistent with HIPAA expectations for health information privacy.

Citations

[1] VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder (2023)
https://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/MH/ptsd

[2] National Center for PTSD — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD
https://www.ptsd.va.gov

[3] National Institute of Mental Health — Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
https://www.nimh.nih.gov

[4] Twelve Oaks Psychiatry — PTSD & Trauma Recovery
https://twelveoaks.co/service/ptsd-trauma-recovery/

[5] SAMHSA — 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
https://www.samhsa.gov