Dr. Lena Agree, JD, PsyD – Licensed Psychologist and AssociatesDr. Lena Agree, JD, PsyD – Licensed Psychologist and Associates

Lena Agree JD, PsyD

How Self-Help EMDR Techniques Transform Your Mental Health

How Self-Help EMDR Techniques Transform Your Mental Health

By

How self‑help EMDR techniques can improve your mental health outcomes Self‑help EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) offers a practical, research‑informed option for people who want to reduce symptoms and build emotional resilience. Below we explain how these techniques support trauma recovery and anxiety management, share safe, step‑by‑step exercises you can try at home, and describe how coaching or professional support can deepen results. If you’re managing anxiety, PTSD, or persistent distressing memories, understanding EMDR’s core ideas and self‑help methods can help you take grounded, intentional steps toward healing. What are the core principles of EMDR therapy and self‑help techniques? At its heart, EMDR rests on the idea that distressing memories can be reprocessed and integrated so they lose their…

Read More
Understanding EMDR Session Guidelines for Effective Treatment

Understanding EMDR Session Guidelines for Effective Treatment

By

EMDR Session Guidelines: A Clear, Step-by-Step Guide to Effective Treatment Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a clinician-guided therapy that helps reduce the pain and intensity of traumatic memories. This guide describes practical session guidelines, what you can expect in therapy, and the common benefits people gain from EMDR. Choosing a treatment can feel overwhelming — EMDR offers a structured, evidence-based path many people find deeply helpful. Below we walk through the therapy process, how to prepare, the benefits, safety and professional standards, and simple ways to get the most from your sessions. What Is the EMDR Therapy Process and How Does It Work? EMDR is a phased, therapist-led approach that helps people process and integrate traumatic experiences. It…

Read More
How to Optimize Your EMDR Sessions for Best Results

How to Optimize Your EMDR Sessions for Best Results

By

Optimize Your EMDR Sessions for Stronger Results: Maximize Benefits and Support Lasting Client Progress Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly effective therapy for healing trauma and easing emotional distress. This guide walks practitioners through practical ways to get the most from EMDR sessions — from what influences success to how to prepare, what to do during and between sessions, and how to support clients afterward. Many people carry heavy emotional memories; thoughtful, structured EMDR work gives them a clear path toward relief and resilience. Below you’ll find preparation checklists, in-session strategies, aftercare tips, and a concise look at the therapy’s phases. Key Factors That Shape EMDR Therapy Success A few core elements reliably influence EMDR outcomes. Knowing…

Read More
Examining the Success Rates of EMDR Therapy: Effectiveness for PTSD, Anxiety, and Trauma Recovery

Examining the Success Rates of EMDR Therapy: Effectiveness for PTSD, Anxiety, and Trauma Recovery

By

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused psychotherapy designed to reprocess distressing memories and reduce associated symptoms through bilateral stimulation and the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. This article explains what EMDR is, how it works, and why clinicians and organizations endorse it for PTSD and related conditions, while summarizing recent research trends through 2023–2025. Readers will learn the therapy’s core mechanisms, the eight phases clinicians follow, evidence-based success-rate ranges across diagnoses, and practical expectations for sessions and outcomes. We also compare EMDR to other therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), explore applications for anxiety, depression, phobias, and special populations including children and high-achieving professionals, and provide actionable guidance on what to expect during treatment. Throughout, the…

Read More
Techniques for Cultivating Mindfulness: Practical Exercises and Benefits for Stress Reduction and Anxiety Management

Techniques for Cultivating Mindfulness: Practical Exercises and Benefits for Stress Reduction and Anxiety Management

By

Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally bringing non-judgmental attention to the present moment, and this article describes practical techniques, mechanisms, and applications that reliably reduce stress and support anxiety management. You will learn clear definitions, evidence-informed reasons why mindfulness works (attention training, decentring, and interoception), and step-by-step exercises such as mindful breathing, body scan, mindful eating, and mindful walking. Many people struggle with persistent worry, workplace stress, or difficulty regulating emotions; applying structured mindfulness techniques offers an accessible, skill-based solution that complements therapeutic work and coaching. This guide maps scientific mechanisms to everyday practice, explains how therapies such as MBCT and MBSR fit into care pathways, and shows how mindfulness pairs with attachment- and mentalization-based approaches to deepen emotional insight….

Read More
Common Questions About Therapy and Coaching: Understanding Differences, Benefits, and How to Choose

Common Questions About Therapy and Coaching: Understanding Differences, Benefits, and How to Choose

By

Many people wonder whether they need therapy, coaching, or both, and how to tell the difference in practical terms. This article defines therapy and coaching, explains how each approach works, and gives clear, actionable guidance for choosing the right service for your goals. Readers will learn the core mechanisms behind attachment- and mentalization-based therapy, the structure and outcomes typical of life and personal coaching, and how these services can be integrated for lasting change. The piece also walks through what to expect in a first therapy session, offers checklists for interviewing providers, and explains concierge-style care options as they relate to local decision-making in Birmingham, MI. Throughout, the content uses evidence-based explanations, semantic clarity (entity → relationship → entity statements),…

Read More
How Your Attachment Patterns Sabotage Your Happiness (and How to Break Free)

How Your Attachment Patterns Sabotage Your Happiness (and How to Break Free)

By

If you struggle with feelings of depression, flatness, anxiety, anger, or other unpleasant symptoms, you have your attachment system to blame. Attachment is an innate, unconscious system that tells you from infancy, that you must stay close to your your parents because you need them to protect you from physical danger, illness and overwhelming emotional distress (Bowlby 1988). This is what makes little kids cling to their moms in public places. They just know, “Mom keeps me alive.” This isn’t learned behavior; it’s more like an instinct. It gets “turned on” in response to real or perceived threats to your survival and well-being, such as when you’re tired, hungry, or frightened, or separated from your parents.  The problem is, it…

Read More