EMDR stands for “Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing” therapy. The simple act of moving one’s eyes from left to right (bilateral stimulation) while thinking about upsetting information has a healing effect. This therapeutic technique was discovered 30 years ago by Dr. Francine Shapiro and its effectiveness as a therapeutic technique is endorsed by:

• The American Psychiatric Association 
• The American Psychological Association 
• The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 
• The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) 
• The World Health Organization (WHO)

EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes.

EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. In successful EMDR therapy, the meaning of painful events is transformed on an emotional level. Clients feel empowered by the very experiences that once debased them.  Their wounds have not just closed, they have transformed.

EMDR therapy involves attention to three time periods:  the past, present, and future.  Focus is given to past disturbing memories and related events.  Also, it is given to current situations that cause distress, and to developing the skills and attitudes needed for positive future actions.  With EMDR therapy, these items are addressed using an eight-phase treatment approach.

The number of sessions depends upon the specific problem and client history. However, studies have shown that a single trauma or memory can be processed within 3 sessions. While every disturbing event need not be processed, the amount of therapy will depend upon the complexity of the client’s history.

EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework between sessions. EMDR therapy allows the brain to resume its natural healing process and is designed to resolve unprocessed disturbing or traumatic memories in the brain. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.

For more information about EMDR therapy visit www.emdr.com  or www.emdira.org.

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or be overly active. 

It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, children with ADHD do not just grow out of these behaviors. The symptoms continue, can be severe, and can cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends. 

Some signs of ADHD include unexplained under-achievement, wandering mind, trouble organizing and planning, high degree of creativity and imagination, trouble with time management and a tendency to procrastinate, strong will, stubbornness, refusal of help, restlessness, impulsiveness and impatience, high energy, and distorted negative self-image.

Adult symptoms of ADHD may not be as clear as symptoms in children. In adults, hyperactivity may decrease, but struggle with impulsiveness, restlessness and difficulty paying attention may continue.  

Many adults with ADHD aren’t aware that they have it—they just know that everyday tasks can be a challenge. Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus and prioritize, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. The inability to control impulses can range from impatience waiting in line or driving in traffic to mood swings and outbursts of behavior.  

Advocate Russell Barkley says that ADHD is “the most treatable disorder in psychiatry bar none.”  In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication. For preschool-aged children (4-5 years) with ADHD, behavior therapy, particularly training for parents, is recommended as the first line of treatment.  

For many people, ADHD medications reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and improve their ability to focus, work, and learn. Sometimes several different medications or dosages must be tried before finding the right one that works for a particular person. Anyone taking medications must be monitored closely by their prescribing doctor.

In addition to behavioral therapy and medication, having a healthy lifestyle can make it easier to deal with ADHD symptoms including developing healthy eating habits, participating in physical activity, limiting daily screen time, and getting good sleep.

An ADHD assessment will determine if you qualify for an ADHD diagnosis. An ADHD diagnosis helps people better understand themselves, which includes gaining perspective on the reasons for their struggles. It can bring relief at finally understanding certain struggles and symptoms that have been overlooked for a long time. An ADHD diagnosis can also serve to provide a more thorough treatment plan for symptoms, behavior strategies, and other comorbidities such as anxiety and depression.  

It can be difficult to watch your loved one struggle with their behaviors, emotions, and relationships. Please contact us to schedule a consultation to consider resources to gain perspective and find healing and hope. The Barnabas Center offers ADHD Assessments as well as counseling for ADHD symptoms and behaviors. Please fill out our inquiry form for more information about ADHD Assessments, including assessment information, scheduling, cost, sessions required, and other pertinent information.

Couples will meet together with the counselor in the first session as your counselor gets to know you as a couple and assesses current issues, desired outcomes, and areas for growth. In subsequent sessions, you and your partner will meet together and possibly individually with your counselor to explore relevant issues, family history, and marriage goals.

Counselors will work with couples to establish a safe and trusting environment and establish a mutual plan to address needs and strengthen the marriage relationship.

Couples counseling can involve exploring issues such as:
-Conflict resolution
-Restoring trust 
-Communication issues
-Family of origin work
-Intimacy
-Healing from infidelity
-Blended family
-Divorce care

Couples counseling can be beneficial for couples seriously dating and considering marriage. Couples counseling provides a space for partners to openly discuss expectations, address potential issues before marriage, improve communication skills, build a stronger foundation for their relationship by understanding each other's needs better, and learn healthy conflict resolution strategies to navigate future challenges together.

Couples Counseling is also beneficial for married partners looking to improve communication, navigate conflict, address current issues in marriage, and prepare for life transitions like becoming empty-nesters.

Premarital counseling helps couples strengthen their relationship while they prepare for marriage and equips couples with skills and tools to navigate issues ahead of time.

Couples will meet together with the counselor in the first session as your counselor gets to know you as a couple and assesses strengths and areas for growth. In subsequent sessions, you and your partner will meet individually with your counselor to explore family of origin, attachment styles and address any concerns you may have entering marriage. From there, you will meet all together for the remainder of your sessions. You and your counselor will discuss a plan for areas of focus for each session based on your counselor's assessment and your goals.

Yes, our Premarital counselors are certified in Prepare Enrich, the #1 evidenced based premarital and marriage assessment tool. Couples will receive personalized results along with a workbook with tools and skills to practice. 

Up to 8 sessions are recommended to explore education, tools, and skills associated with Prepare Enrich. The topics include communication, conflict resolution, financial management, sex, affection, and relationship roles. 

Our counselors look forward to meeting with you as you seek to foster a healthy marriage relationship!