EMDR - Healing Trauma, Transforming Lives When Talk Therapy Isn't Enough
ROB BENSON
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified EMDR Therapy and DBT Treatment
In Office and Video Counseling
Each person and family decides what is best for their own situation.
In therapy, Altus Counseling Services focuses on your health and welfare, offering choices about treatment options. In-office and HIPPA-compliant telehealth video are available to you. In-office visits include a brief assessment of your well being; and during your appointment, consistent with CDC guidelines, we practice continuous social distancing through modified therapeutic procedures. After each visit, Altus disinfects handled surfaces and porous seating fabrics. Masks are worn helping to keep all healthy.
What we know from public health research is that it is especially important to boost your immune system and pay attention to your mental and emotional health in response to life's stressors, past and present.
Immune system boosts
• Increase your physical activity and breath — since gym access continues to be inconsistent, use the many exercise routines on YouTube, or jump rope, do jumping jacks and practice yoga.
• Introduce more fruits and vegetables (antioxidants) into your diet.
• Add in extra sleep.
• Consciously hydrate.
Mental and emotional support
• Establish new daily schedules and routines.
• Increase communication with family and friends.
• Get out in nature daily. If you have a backyard, that works, or find a park that is not too crowded, mask up and maintain 6-foot or more distance from others.
• Meditate, garden, read, cook — do something pleasurable that calms you.
The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up. - Mark Twain
Clients report significant relief from post-traumatic stress and other mental health challenges after one-to-three periods of EMDR treatment. EMDR treatment targets and relieves distress associated with adverse life experiences; bodily disturbances; disturbing, intrusive memories; present triggers and potential future challenges. Effective EMDR treatment is intended to treat psychological disorders at their roots, to alleviate suffering, leading to an improved view of self and opportunities to live a life worth living.
“Francine Shapiro’s discovery of EMDR is one of the most important breakthroughs in the history of psychotherapy. Having used it as part of my practice for the past 15 years, I, and many of my patients, still marvel at the depth and speed with which it can help heal and change the minds and brains, and even bodily symptoms of people who have been locked in, and suffering from trauma, often for decades” writes author Dr. Norman Doidge.
“I did what’s probably the largest NIH-funded study on EMDR. And we found that, of people with adult-onset traumas, a one-time trauma as an adult, that it had the best outcome of any treatment that has been published. . . . even in the most biased studies, the EMDR keeps coming up as this very effective treatment,” says Bessel Van der Kolk in a public radio interview in 2013.
Dr. Daniel Amen writes that “EMDR is one of the most effective treatments I have ever personally seen as a psychiatrist.” There is a great deal of research supporting the effectiveness of EMDR to improve symptoms from events that people experience as traumatic. The changes made by EMDR to the physical brain can be seen in a brain scan called, Single-Photon Emission Computer Tomography or a SPECT scan.
This SPECT scan uses a special camera to create a 3-D pictures of the brain that show how an organ such as the brain works, unlike other imaging techniques like X-ray that show the structures of our body. Dr. Amen goes on to write: “We have studied EMDR with SPECT imaging before, during, and after treatment. EMDR is brain treatment. EMDR changes brain function.”
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing is extensively researched and proven effective for treatment of trauma by the American Psychiatric Association, World Health Organization, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, US. Department of Health and Human Services and others. EMDR is a non-drug, non-hypnosis therapeutic procedure to treat anxiety, depression, guilt, anger and post traumatic responses.
For more information about EMDR, please see the Treatment pull down menu atop this page, and black button below that will take you to expert testimony and resources. Check out Connections, also atop this page, and a Blog about EMDR experiences.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy services are skill-based and therapeutic treatments used to regulate emotions, tolerate distress, improve interpersonal effectiveness, increase awareness of physical and psychological influences. DBT promotes effective thinking, positively influencing emotions and behavior. When combined with Cognitive Processing Therapy and EMDR, these approaches help relieve emotions triggered by underlying trauma.
For more information about DBT, please see the Treatment pull down menu section atop this page and black button below that will take you to expert testimony and resources. Check out Connections, also atop this page, a Blog about DBT experiences.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
EMDR Certified (EMDRIA)
Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy Professional
VA Certified – Post Traumatic Stress
The focus of my Masters of Science from Concordia University was on the growth of the individual and development of the family. At the University of Michigan, I completed an Advanced Human Resource Executive Program and worked in related corporate areas for 30 years.
Outside counseling, I retired as a 37 year commercial airline pilot captain. A 10 year veteran of the US Air Force, I served as
pilot of the C-5.
Healing is possible through hopeful, future-oriented counseling. Client results emerge cumulatively, continuously. My practice is focused on treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma and instability in moods, behavior and functioning often associated with Post Traumatic Stress and Borderline Personality.
Initially, my approach to psychotherapy is to work together with the client to find solutions that support client growth. Then, to select best practices in counseling theory. In my experience, DBT and EMDR are two of the most researched and helpful therapeutic resources in my practice. Through DBT, we work to relieve distress and dysregulation; and through EMDR, we are resolving emotional challenges associated with past crisis and trauma.
As a Licensed Professional Counselor working in Spring TX, my proficiencies include certifications from the Veteran's Administration to treat Post Traumatic Stress; the DBT National Certification and Accreditation Association; the International Association of Trauma Professionals; and, I am Certified by the EMDR International Association.
Professional Client services are available to individuals age 15 and older.
In a peaceful, comfortable secure setting focused on privacy, confidentiality and your personal welfare.
Initial consultation and assessment: 60 minutes -$150
Treatment and ongoing appointments: 50 minutes - $130/session
You may want to talk with your insurance company to determine whether out-of-network services are available when working with Rob Benson, MS, LPC and Altus Counseling Services PLLC..
Payment accepted through American Express, Discover, Master Card, Visa, Health Savings Accounts, Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, Cash and Check to "Altus Counseling Services."
Altus uses Square to process debit or credit payments.
When we have learned in our hearts what fear and trembling means, we are safeguarded by any terror produced by outside influences
--Ancient Chinese Book of Changes