Skye Walden

None of us get through life unscathed. Maybe it was comments from a sibling or peer. Maybe it was the way your parents treated you. Maybe it was a lot. These experiences have left you with a belief about yourself. That you are not good enough, that you do not fit in, that you have no control, that it is your fault. No matter how big or small your experiences might be, EMDR is the structured, yet flexible treatment approach that I use to help you understand the deep roots of your present day reactions and patterns that bring you to my website in the first place. When we are able to uncover these patterns and you develop this deep awareness of yourself, you are able to build coping skills and strategies that are supportive of you in the present moment. We then gradually explore your past experiences, present patterns and triggers, and reimagine a future where you get to plant the seeds of new beliefs that empower you to be the most grounded, compassionate, and authentic version of yourself. EMDR is a method that can be done virtually from the comfort of your home, in-person in my private and cozy office, or my personal favorite, on a local trail. Did you know that walking and being outdoors have profound impacts on our mental health? When it comes to EMDR, part of the process relies on your mind's ability to bring new perspective to old stories you have had your whole life. Research has revealed that walking outdoors has the potential to enhance creative problem solving by more than double!! This alters your experience with EMDR by reducing the amount of stuck points you encounter that can slow down the process. Because of the impact on creative problem solving, walking also expedites the stream of positive information that ultimately leads to healing when exploring the experiences that have led you to carry negative beliefs. Not only does hitting the trail help you in session, but it supports you outside of session too! Research has shown that individuals who spend at least two hours outdoors per week are more likely to report positively on their mental health and wellbeing. If you schedule your weekly 90 minuet session to be conducted outdoors, you are already 75% of the way there! When meeting at the same location each week, you also gain access not just to me as your therapist, but you build a supportive relationship with the trail that you can go to whenever you wish to visit. This expands your ability to cope outside of session and into the future where you no longer need counseling. It is an honor to walk with you on this path of self-discovery, bearing witness to you reaching your goals and deepening your relationship with yourself. I love being a mental health counselor and member of the rich and diverse community of helping professionals in the profoundly beautiful, quirky, and dynamic Spokane area. If you are ready to stop looking around the garden, noticing the weeds, and taking stopgap measures to keep them contained, give me a call and we can get to digging, planting, and on the road to flourishing! To follow along with our practice join us on Facebook or Instagram!