Anxiety Therapy in Orlando: EMDR [Interview Series]

Anastasia Bipat, LMHC EMDR Therapist in Orlando

Looking for Anxiety Therapy in Orlando?

Welcome to this blog series on alternative approaches for working with anxiety in Orlando. In this series, I will highlight local professionals and resources that help people that are struggling with anxiety feel settled and calm. Our first guest to be featured is Anastasia Bipat, LMHC. She focuses on using EMDR to help people work through anxiety. She is located in the Lake Nona area.

How, specifically, does your treatment help people struggling with anxiety?

Outside of using more traditional techniques to help clients combat anxiety, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I also utilize EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This modality specifically allows for shifts in the communication between the hippocampus (the area of the brain where danger and safety memories are stored), the amygdala (the signal for distressing events) and the prefrontal cortex (the area responsible for behavior and emotion). EMDR helps to reprocess memories, situations, images, etc. that can trigger anxiety so the brain can naturally create more adaptive pathways that will not trigger the extreme “fight, flight, freeze” responses. So then, when the person encounters a situation that would have historically brought on a rush of anxiety, rather than enter into that state, they now have a different way of viewing the situation which allows them to stay calm.

What is the most effective way you help anxious people feel calm?

Usually I will use an EMDR technique of creating two resources: a “Container” and a “Calm Place” or “Safe Place.” The combination of these two together allow for clients to have a place to put distressing emotions, thoughts or memories, as well as place to visualize that allows them to feel soothed. This is a great technique to use in session and a tool that clients can take with them to use whenever they need. I also find that using grounding techniques can be very effective with the clients that I work with. This involves bringing their attention to details in the present moment, which allows their brains to refocus and move away from the “hamster wheel” of thoughts they may be experiencing. An example of this can be to ask the client to find 5 things in their environment that are blue and name them. Progressive muscle relaxation is also a great technique.

What type of transformation do you see in your clients that struggle with anxiety?

I notice that once the client has gone through their processing, whether it is with EMDR or a different modality, they have an ability to complete tasks or manage situations that would have been extremely debilitating for them before. That’s not to say that someone who became anxious when they needed to speak to others is now going to become a motivational speaker. But they can now talk to others comfortably, without that little voice in their head questioning or judging each little move or statement they make. Often, they find themselves feeling freer and overall more confident.

How long, on average, does it take for people that struggle with anxiety to feel better?

It depends on the severity of the anxiety the person is experiencing. It can range anywhere from a couple of weeks or months to a year or more if their anxiety is extremely debilitating. In those longer cases though, there is usually some more underlying material that still needs to be processed to help bring the anxiety down. I highly recommend speaking with a mental health professional around your specific situation so that a realistic treatment plan can be developed to address the anxiety you may be struggling with.

What motivated you to help people in Orlando that struggle with anxiety?

I have a strong passion for working with people as they go through their own healing and challenge themselves to lean into that discomfort. The city of Orlando is such a strong and resilient community that you can’t help but to fall in love with it. I want to help as many individuals as I can recognize their own strengths and all that they bring to this amazing city.

How long have you been helping people in Orlando overcome anxiety?

I have been working in the city of Orlando for about the last 6 years. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with individuals from all walks of life, from inmates to white collar entrepreneurs. And I know that I learn something new from every single person that I meet and work with.

How should people contact you for services in Orlando?

I invite anyone who is wanting a consultation or more information about services to contact me at my office number: 321-710-6544. You can also contact me through PsychologyToday or visit my website at www.renewedperspectivecounseling.com.

More about Anastasia

Anastasia is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She has also been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT) and a variety of other techniques. She received her Masters of Arts in Counselor Education from the University of Central Florida.and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida. She has worked in a variety of settings and has helped individuals struggling with trauma, anger management, depression, anxiety, addiction, co-occurring disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and those diagnosed as severely and persistently mentally ill.

Want more Orlando Counselor Interviews?

Read our interview with Dr. Gulnora Hundley about Neurofeedback here.

Want to learn more about Orlando Counseling services?

Visit my anxiety counseling page or my trauma counseling page.

Or you can send me a message here.

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Lauran is an anxiety and trauma therapist providing counseling in Orlando, FL. She also specializes in helping people heal old broken relationship patterns that keep them from finding, creating, and keeping healthy relationships with partners, friends, and family. Lauran uses a down to earth approach infused with cutting-edge therapies that go beyond traditional talking to help clients feel calm in their body and mind and find peace within themselves. Please visit my free Guided Meditations to help you feel settled and calm now.