EMDR Therapy: Nichoel Kimmerle
This is Nichoel. She’s a friend and a colleague, and she has an uncanny resemblance to Keri Russell. :) You don’t see it? Trust me, you would agree if you talked with her in person. Regardless of my own random opinion, we can all agree that she has a lot to teach us about EMDR.
I had the privilege of talking with Nichoel Kimmerle about EMDR therapy in Episode 2 of my “Coffee, Tea, and Music Therapy” podcast (dropping next month!). Nichoel is a licensed marriage and family therapist and is also certified in EMDR. EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization reprocessing.
EMDR Defined
EMDR has been shown to be effective in treating clients with trauma. Nichoel explains that the trauma can be a “Big T” trauma or a “little t” trauma but no matter what type of trauma, she emphasizes the importance of facing it and dealing with it.
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
One of the greatest benefits of EMDR is that it can work quickly. Nichoel says, “I have no desire for a client to be sitting in my office every week for two years. I want clients to experience the growth and the goals they’re trying to achieve and then move on and go live their lives.”
She explains that we may turn off our emotions as a coping skill, but if we never face those emotions, we will not be able to move forward. This causes the repeating loop in our brains of those lies that we are so accustomed to believing: “I am unlovable” or “I am weak.” These thoughts and feelings become stuck, and EMDR helps us reprocess the negative emotions surrounding the trauma(s), transforming them into “I am lovable” or “I am strong.”
“I want clients to experience the goals they’re trying to achieve and then go live their lives.”
I over-analyze and over-process emotions until I am exhausted. I am the opposite of that person who stuffs everything inside. How do you deal with emotions? I have learned that there are benefits and drawbacks of each type of response. Talking with Nichoel reminded me again that we all struggle with negative thoughts and emotions — it’s how we handle them that affects us long term.
First Responders and Trauma
I talked with Nichoel about her passion as a therapist, specifically in relation to EMDR, and she talked about first responders, particularly those who work in the Emergency Room. She explained that first responders choose the profession out of a deep longing to help. The sad fact is that many become debilitated and triggered the moment they step into their jobs because of the traumas they’ve experienced at work. Nichoel treats first responders with EMDR.
In my conversation with her, she shares stories of hope through EMDR therapy. By desensitizing and reprocessing each of those significant traumas, first responders (and other clients) are able to continue doing their jobs and living their lives successfully and free of the burdens of their traumas.
I asked Nichoel if a client needs to continually seek her for treatment if they are consistently experiencing trauma (i.e. first responders), and she clearly explained that EMDR therapy allows clients to learn how to reprocess on their own. However, there are also times when clients return to Nichoel because they feel like something is “stuck,” and they need help reprocessing. I am so encouraged to know that there is always hope for people who feel like they are stuck.
We get Stuck
When we are walking through a challenge that seems unbearable, unimaginable, and hopeless, we just can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. It feels like it will never end. Does this resonate with you? Can you think of a time that you have felt “stuck?” You just can’t find a glimmer of hope to move forward. Please believe me — if you’re in that spot, there is hope. There are so many other people out there feeling the same way that you are. Don’t give up. Find someone who will listen or just be with you. Nichoel is one of many amazing therapists who can help you work through your trauma.
And if you’re a person like me who runs the loop in your brain, “What is wrong with me? So many other people have it way worse than me. I just need to get over this,” stop minimizing your pain. Your pain and your trauma is real, regardless of how anyone else perceives it. You are uniquely and wonderfully created, and you matter. I love how Nichoel puts it so simply: “I want my clients to be free of their burdens, free to move on and live their lives.” You are not your depression. You are not your trauma. You are not your anxiety. Those struggles you are facing don’t define you. You can get better and feel better. There is hope.
Seeking Help
If you think EMDR therapy could be a good fit for you, please reach out to Nichoel with your questions. She would love to talk with you about next steps. When interviewing her for my podcast, she mentioned the certification process and its importance in treating clients effectively and professionally. I checked out the EMDRIA website and found Nichoel on the list of EMDR certified therapists. Check it out to find someone in your area!
If you have a loved one who is struggling with her/his mental health, this website is a great resource in learning how to talk with people who are in pain due to mental illness.
Ultimately, my hope for you is that you find help if you are struggling. It might be a “little t,” or it might be a “Big T.” Either way, you are worth it, and there is hope!
There is hope.
Your depression doesn’t define you.
Your trauma(s) don’t define you.
You can get better.
~Jill