Steps to Support Your Mind and Body Before Your EMDR Intensive
Taking a few steps to prepare for your EMDR Intensive can help you feel safe, grounded, and fully supported.
Preparing your nervous system for the work ahead…
- Limit technology use during the day
- Avoid contact with people or situations that may be triggering
- Eat balanced meals and stay well-hydrated
- Minimize substances including caffeine or processed sugar to support your nervous system
- Incorporate gentle movement in nature in the mornings and evenings for grounding and restoration
What to bring to support your body and nervous system…
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Consider bringing comforting items like a favorite blanket or stuffed animal
- Bring meaningful personal items that really represents you, that feels like a great way to let me into your world a little
- Bring reflective or creative materials, including a journal and your favorite type of pens, markers, or crayons for writing and drawing in multiple colors.
- Bring pictures of your safe people, and some of your favorite, most you, confident memories
- Bring pictures of you: 0-3, 4-6, 8-10, 11-13, 14-17, 17-21, and a photo per life stage/chapter since
Local Recommendations During Your Intensive:
Dining
- Mantra Sukha tea room
- Dini’s Bistro with ocean views
- Gonzo Ramen
- Naked Cafe offers a clear menu with all dietary restriction information
- Senior Grubby’s for take-out or Garcia’s for sit-down Mexican food
- Shoots fish tacos, poke
- Sushi Taisho
- Steady State for a decaf rosemary latte during the intensive, or perhaps Carlsbad’s finest beans to take home
- Beach Cities Smoothies for smoothies or acai bowls
- Always Hungry Grocery and Goods to pick up fun, healthy imported snacks and drinks, or even locally made sunscreen
Services/Activities
- Beach Day
- Hike Easy stroll around Batiquitos Lagoon, Moderate beach cliff hike at Torrey Pines, Difficult trail up to Potato Chip Rock
- Spa Day at Four Moon’s Spa in Encinitas, The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Yu Spa a Korean Day Spa on Convoy Street, Glen Ivy Hotsprings in Temescal Valley, Murrieta Hotsprings
- Movement and Breathwork at Happy Blue Marble, a nervous system oriented yoga studio one block from the office
- Stroll the Galleries in La Jolla or Laguna within a 35-75 minute coastal drive from Carlsbad
- Visit the tidepools, Self-Realization Fellowship Temple Gardens or participate in a Group Meditation