Transform Your Life with Expert EMDR Therapy or a 4 day wellness retreat at the beach.
Transform your life with EMDR THERAPY OR A 4 day EMDR intensive wellness retreat at the beach. All of us are designed to heal—from trauma, PTSD, or imposter syndrome. Paul Schulte is a certified veteran drug & alcohol counselor & qualified EMDR therapist, Author of four books on addiction and a sober living coach. Act today!
Heal from Trauma and Addiction
EMDR therapy is replacing talk therapy — and it should. Access and process trapped and stale traumatic memories — and stagnant beliefs — live in barcelona or on Zoom. 4-6 sessions max is necessary. Ideal for creating a path for cleaning up from booze, drugs or other addictions.
Personalized One-on-One Coaching
Untreated traumatic memories cause damage in careers & relationships. A 2-4 day intensive flexible EMDR retreat to process these memories — plus beach, gym, paddleboarding & yoga all 3 minutes away. Your belief systems will shift, bringing renewed confidence & peace of mind.
Author and Expert
Books on EMDR, William James & Carl Jung, as well as LGBT addiction treatment. Also, I had a previous life as Wall Street banks analyst and author of four books on capital markets. Also have taught at 11 universities on five continents.
About Me
Welcome to
Sober at Seaside!
I’m Paul. I have worked on four continents in financial services. And I have experienced burnout, recovery (21 years), and grief from losing loved ones from AIDS and family members from alcoholism. I am a certified drug and alcohol counselor and EMDR therapist who has helped hundreds of men and women clean up their lives. I have written four books on mental health and work from Barcelona. And we have fun!
What Our Clients Say
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement De-sensitization and Reprocessing is a powerful therapy to quickly get relief from depression, PTSD, addiction, Anxiety, unresolved grief or Imposter Syndrome – live or on Zoom.
It safely and calmly retrieves traumatic memories amd helps them move forward. 4-10 sessions. Approved by APA, VA, SAMSHA.
EMDR with Paul takes the ‘BOO’ out of TaBOO because we ARE designed to heal.
Experience a transformative journey in Barcelona on the beach with EMDR, 1 on 1 daily counseling and altering of habits. The team: equine therapy, meditation, breath work, cycling, hiking, paddle boarding, swimming, spa. Ocean front views.
Available for 30-day one-on-one intensive sober coaching in Barcelona with a team for mind, body, health, and soul.
Audio Books
Dive deeper into the world of trauma and addiction with my audio books. These books offer valuable insights and practical knowledge to support your recovery journey.
- 1. EMDR: Relief from Trauma, Addiction, PTSD & Imposter Syndrome
- 2. We Agnostics: How William James and Carl Jung Advanced Solutions to Alcohol Addiction
Get Your Free Audiobook!
For a free copy of my monthly newsletter and a complimentary copy of my audiobook, William James and His Influence on the 12-Step Movement, simply enter your email below.
FAQs on SOBER AT SEASIDE
15 MINUTES RIDE FROM THE BARCELONA AIRPORT, 4 MINUTES WALK TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL, 4 MINUTES WALK TO MYRIAD RESTAURANTS 4 MINUTE WALK TO DAILY 12 STEP MEETINGS. 5 MINUTES WALK TO THE FAMOUS W HOTEL. 30 SECONDS TO THE BEACH. 10 MINUTES WALK TO THE FAMOUS PALAU DE MUSICA. 117 Calle Del Mar BARCELONETA. 08003
IT IS A ONE ON ONE THERAPY FOR TRAUMA, ADDICTON OR PTSD. THESE ARE OFTEN CONNECTED. 30 DAY POST DETOX PROGRAM WHICH ADDRESSES THE BODY, HEART, MIND AND SPIRIT AND INCORPORATES SEVERAL TYPES OF THERAPIES. LONG TERM STAY IS ENCOURAGED. EVERYONE IS UNIQUE AND AT A DIFFERENT PLACE IN THEIR JOURNEY. THE PROGRAM AND THERAPIES ARE UNIQUELY TAILORED FOR EACH AND IS A ONE ON ONE EXPERIENCE. THE PROGRAM COVERS ISSUES WITH ALCOHOL, COCAINE, HEROIN, CRACK AND SEX. PEOPLE WITH SELF-DIAGNOSED BURNOUT OR WHO MAY ALSO HAVE PTSD ARE WELCOME. THESE ISSUES VERY OFTEN OVERLAP.
SOMETIMES IN LIFE, WE HIT A WALL — A CRISIS OF SELF DESPAIR. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS MASK PSYCHIC PAIN OR UNACCEPTABLE REALITIES. WE TRY TO CHANGE BUT ARE TRAPPED IN CHILDHOOD ARMOR USED TO PROTECT US AGAINST ABUSE OR NEGLECT. THIS ARMOR WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT NO LONGER SUITS US. IT MUST BE SHED IN FAVOR OF NEW BELIEFS AMID KINDNESS & EMPATHY. WE NEED A PLACE TO REMOVE OLD BANDAGES & LET IN THE SUNLIGHT OF THE SPIRIT WE NEED STRUCTURE BUT ALSO SUN, EXERCISE, SINGING, FUN, DANCE, BICYCLING, PADDLE-BOARDING & ART. DIGNITY, SAFETY & FUN. WE MAINLY DEAL WITH PROBLEMS WITH ALCOHOL, COCAINE, CRACK, & HEROIN. WE MAKE EXCEPTIONS FOR PEOPLE DEALING WITH PTSD, SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION & BURNOUT.
SEASIDE SOBER HAS INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED PROGRAMS BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT PROBLEMS AT DIFFERENT STAGES IN OUR LIVES. IT IS ALL ONE ONE ONE. WE HAVE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE-BASED APPROACHES: 12 STEP, CBT, SOMATIC THERAPY, EMDR, MUSIC, ART, YOGA, SINGING, MEDITATION AND LOTS OF EXERCISE ON LAND AND SEA. WE ADOPT THESE BECAUSE THEY BRING CLARITY, SERENITY, BELONGING AND PERSPECTIVE. SCIENCE-BASED & TANGIBLE. IT IS SPIRITUAL — NOT RELIGIOUS. IT IS FUN —NOT DRUDGERY. IT IS HEARTFELT —NOT SYSTEMATIC. WE INSIST ON DIGNITY AT ALL TIMES. HEALING THROUGH HONESTY, HUMOR AND HEALTH.
LIFE IS SHORT. IF YOU THINK THINGS ARE FALLING APART, WE ARE CONVINCED THAT THINGS ARE ACTUALLY FALLING TOGETHER. WHAT WORKED IN ONE PART OF LIFE OFTEN STOPS WORKING IN OTHER PARTS. THIS DOES NOT NEED FIXING OR PATHOLOGIZING. ONLY ADJUSTING. CHILDHOOD MEMORIES ARISE IN ADULTHOOD THAT CAN BE ;TOO HOT TO HANDLE’. WE DRINK OVER THEM, ESPECIALLY UNWANTED SEXUAL ADVANCES. WE CAN HELP PROCESS THESE MEMORIES. EMDR SHOWS REMARKABLE RESULTS SOMETIMES BEING A VICTIM WAS A CONVENIENT WAY OUT. COME TO SEASIDE SOBER AND WE WILL LET YOU OFF THE HOOK FOR BEING A VICTIM.
ONCALL DOCTOR AND NURSE AVAILABLE IN MINUTES. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS INCLUDE: PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS TRAINED YOGA INSTRUCTORS VETERAN MEDITATION SPECIALISTS LICENSED PROFESSIONAL MASSEURS PROFESSIONAL DANCE THERAPISTS LICENSED PADDLE-BOARD INSTRUCTOR HOSPITAL & PHARMACY ARE 3 MINUTES AWAY. EMDR AVAILABLE EVERY DAY.
WE HAVE AN ATMOSPHERE OF MAXIMUM POSITIVE REGARD. WE MEET YOU WHERE YOU ARE. EACH PERSON’S DIGNITY SHOULD BE RESPECTED AT ALL TIMES. WE HAVE AN ATMOSPHERE OF FUN AND ADVENTURE IN BUILDING NEW LIVES TOGETHER. WE EMPHASISE SELF-CARE & SELF-LOVE BUT THIS CAN HAD BY CARING FOR OTHERS. WE EAT MEALS TOGETHER AND THERE IS A VERY LARGE BALCONY OVERLOOKING THE OCEAN ACROSS THE STREET. BEACH ACTIVITIES AT LEAST TWICE A DAY. WE ASK FOR CONFIDENTIALITY, HONESTY & NO UNEXCUSED ABSENCE FROM ACTIVITIES.
IT IS A FOUR FOLD SCIENCE BASED PROGRAM WITH THE FOUR EACH DAY: BIOLOGICAL — THE BODY NEEDS HEALING MORNING PSYCHOLOGICAL — THE MIND NEEDS HEALING AFTERNOON SOCIAL — THE PERSONALITY NEEDS HEALING EARLY EVENING SPIRITUAL — THE SOUL NEEDS HEALING EVENING EMDR THERAPY. UNLIMITED LIFE STUFF WEEK 4
OUR BODIES NEED HEALING WHEN WE DECIDE TO GET CLEANED UP. WE NEED REST, SLEEP, QUIET, FRIENDSHIP, EXERCISE, YOGA, SWIMMING, WALKING AND BICYCLING. WE NEED TIME AND ROOM TO GRIEVE AND REJUVENATE. WE WILL HAVE CONSULTANTS WHO ARE MUSICIANS AND PROFESSIONAL DANCERS WHO WILL JOIN US AND USE MUSIC AND DANCE TO FREE OUR SPIRITS. DAILY GROUP PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ALSO INCLUDES PADDLE-BOARDING, HIKING, SWIMMING, BEACH PADDLE BALL, VOLLEYBALL, SOCCER.
ART IS A WAY TO EXPRESS EMOTION: SADNESS, GRIEF, JOY, RELIEF. YOGA IS A WAY TO RELEASE STRESS AND PENT UP EMOTIONS IN THE BODY. COOKING TOGETHER WITH NEW RECIPES IS A GREAT WAY TO BOND AND LEARN TO HELP OTHERS. ALONG WITH THE IN-HOUSE CHEF. BICYCLING IS A WAY TO HAVE FUN, STIR THE BLOOD AND FORGET OUR TROUBLES. BARCELONA IS A BICYCLE TOWN WALKING ALONG THE BEACH IS A WAY TO GET FRESH IONIZED AIR & RELAX. BARCELONA HAS A 5 KM BEACH PATH. SNGING IS A WAY TO CALM THE SOUL AND FIND HARMONY IN THE GROUP. THE PALAU DE MUSICA CONCERT HALL IS A 15 MINUTE WALK FROM THE FACILITY AND HAS MANY CONCERTS EACH WEEK
SCIENCE BASED RESEARCH IS CLEAR: AT THE VERY LEAST, SPIRITUALITY IS NEUTRAL. AT ITS BEST, IT IS GENUINELY HEALING FOR THE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT. WILLIAM JAMES IS THE PIONEER IN AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGY FOR SPIRITUAL SOLUTIONS TO PSYCHIC PAIN. MR. SCHULTE WROTE A BOOK ON THIS. SPIRITUALITY ALONE WILL DO LITTLE WITHOUT RIGOROUS HONESTY ABOUT PAST TRAUMA & PAST LOSS. SO MUCH OF THE HEALING OF THE SOUL IS ABOUT PROCESSING GRIEF — THINGS WE LOST OR THINGS THAT WERE TAKEN AWAY FROM US. WE WILL ATTEND AA MEETINGS ON MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHTS. THEY ARE A 4 MINUTE WALK FROM THE FACILITY.
EMDR TRAINED AND QUALIFIED. WITH A BOOK OUT ON THE INS AND OUTS OF HOW AND WHY EMDR WORKS GRIEF AND PAIN STAYS IN THE BODY AND NEEDS TO BE “UNTRAPPED” IN A SAFE AND CALM WAY. IT IS A COMBINATION OF CBT AND SOMATIC THERAPY TO UNDERSTAND AEW OR FAWED BELIEF SYSTEMS AND ALTER CURRENT ATTITUDES OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE.
TOWARD THE END OF THE FOURTH WEEK, WE WILL CREATE FOR EACH PERSON A SOBRIETY PLAN FOR STAYING SOBER WHEN THEY LEAVE. ACCESS TO 12 STEP MEETINGS, SPONSORS, PUBLIC ACTIVITIES AND SOBER CONNECTIONS. WE WILL GO OVER SOME BASIC FINANCIAL SKILLS NEEDED TO RETURN TO A REGULAR LIFE. WE WILL EXPLORE WHAT WORK LIFE WILL BE LIKE, WHAT TO SAY, HOW TO BEHAVE AND WHAT TO EXPECT.
THE NUMBER ONE SYMPTOM OF ADDICTION IS RELAPSE. ALCOHOLISM IS A DISEASE AND RELAPSE IS PART OF THIS DISEASE. THERE IS NO SHAME HERE. WE WELCOME EACH PERSON WHO STAYED FOR A MONTH TO RETURN FOR A WEEK OF RETREAT ON THE BEACH TO RECHARGE AND REVITALISE AT A REDUCED PRICE. AT ANY TIME. IT TAKES WHAT IT TAKES. WE WILL ALWAYS FOLLOW UP WITH EACH PERSON AND DESIGN A SOBER LIVING PROGRAM WHEN YOU LEAVE.
FAQs on EMDR
Addiction care should include trauma care as a core activity. But it cannot be in a vacuum. EMDR therapists should be an integral part of an addiction therapy team to treat pervasive trauma. 12 step work is a good compliment. New research shows EMDR is appropriate at different stages. 1 week sober til 1 year. It helps to get over the absence of worthiness to get sober. It is entirely appropriate in the first 30 days. Or about 3-4 days after a relapse.
Yes! Ideally, this should be done in alliance with: ON CALL clinician. Questions answered. Breathing techniques. Yoga, meditation, play. Attention to core issues. A change in Lifestyle changes is needed. Change of scenery, friends, phone. Life Lessons in cooking, cleaning, hygiene, bank accounts. 12 step work is important. A life Ethic. Hope-filled. Not punitive.
EMDR is especially appropriate for specialty groups. The lingo is it is an ideal way is to create positive neural networks that maladaptive networks can attach to. LGBT, women, sexually abused, eating disorders, prisons, veterans, homeless, body dysmorphia. EMDR should always be done one on one but post treatment group discussion is very helpful — possibly ideal. Important that EMDR therapist and patient have a bond, ie the person is someone who the EMDR feels comfortable with.
There is a growing sense that people in recovery who have experienced deep trauma will likely relapse often. Addiction is itself a disease of relapse. So EMDR to work on trauma during periods of relapse is appropriate. 3 days clean is enough to begin again. The goal should be long term recovery not instant recovery. A trauma-based approach to recovery in the face of frequent relapse is appropriate. EMDR is appropriate and useful for near term memories of recent trauma too, including the trauma caused by relapse. A Positive treatment goal does not have to be abstinence. See it through a trauma lense. Open the door and work on the trauma. Relapse, urges and triggers can prevent a good life. Get to a standard protocol. The work of Marcus and Hornsfeld is outstanding.
The controversy is whether bringing forth traumatic memories is ever a good idea. Let sleeping dogs lie? This is shown to be a poor argument. We know that while emotions don’t last forever, they can wait forever. Allowing trapped and overwhelming memories to lay dormant can be equally dangerous. They can lead to depression and suicidality. These trapped memories cause psychic pain and prevent many people from having happy, productive and useful lives. Addiction is often a result and this results in arrests, sickness, overdose or death.
IContinuous sobriety cannot and should not be a prerequisite for EMDR. Relapse is a part of the recovery process. A good rule of thumb is : doing EMDR with people currently on ‘booze and benzos’ is like trying to ignite wet wood. A rule of thumb is that a person should be clean and sober at least a week before starting EMDR. It is a mistake to think after EMDR processes the trauma that the addiction clears up. Addiction includes entrenched habits. But, EMDR creates a pathway for a more durable healing process for addiction. Multi-month abstinence is NOT a prerequisite for EMDR to work. It’s better. But not a prerequisite. But waiting for a person to have extended clean time does a disservice. EMDR should be seen as a form of harm reduction. As an Aftercare measure, it is ideal. However, everyone is a bit different. EMDR is very unlikely to make a person’s rehab journey worse. The trauma is already wreaking havoc. They have already fallen apart. That’s why they are in rehab. Plus suicidality and depression are likely if unprocessed trauma remains.
What an addict is using drugs or alcohol, he or she is facing a reality that is unacceptable. She seeks out a (false) reality that offers pleasure, peace, control and calm. Alas, these are ephemeral and fall to pieces in light of the next day’s comedown or hangover. EMDR offers the same outcome — pleasure, peace, control and calm — in 4-12 sessions. The aim is to 1) discover the source of the trauma, 2) analyse and process it objectively, 3) question the false beliefs around it, and 4) then reprocess the future in a different light. Recovering addicts should be reminded that their medicine for their trauma (drugs and alcohol) did, inn fact, work for a while and was necessary. However, it stopped working. EMDR allows a person to control their response to future events in light of an adaptability to positive neural networks to calmly and peacefully rely on healthy beliefs to respond to life’s problems.
The theory behind EMDR is deceptively simple. One theory. BLS to takes up memory. The brain has to process fingers. It takes up working memory capacity. The faster I go, the more working memory. The less the working memory for traumatic memory. One can’t fully focus on it the same way on a “full blown” emotionally overwhelming memories. Why? Because s/t memory is on watching fingers move right and left. It facilitates a calmer response to the jumble of emotion. Right left moves of EMDR facilitates inter-hemospheric activity. The Right and Left brains do different things. The Left side— who, what, where, when detail. Tasks. Facts. Order. Right Handed brain The Right side — Experience. Emotion. Sensation. Left Handed brain
Trapped traumatic memory with false beliefs causing disturbance & self-sabotage . 1.What does disturbance look sound, feel like. Picture it. Emotion Beliefs attached. 2. Future positive ideas. Future scenario. Past success. PWC. 3. BLS on negative message. Desensitise. Episode triggers. What causes this. Neg thots w/ belief. Truth or lie 1-10 Emotions. How strong. 1-7. BLS many times. 4. Pos message. change that message? Reprocess. Target future event. Envision future event details. Positive picture and emotion. Discard Negative beliefs. PWC 5. BLS pos. Installation. Do many BLS on pos scenario. 1-10 6. Body scan. Where else is anxiety. 7. Let me know what comes up this week. Write it down. 8. Next session. Re evaluation next session
To laugh often to win the respect of smart people to earn appreciation for our critics to endure betrayal of false friends to appreciate beauty to find the best in others to leave the world a little bit better to know that one life has breathed easier. This is success. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Board of Advisors
Contact Us
At Sober at Seaside, we are dedicated to providing you with the support and resources you need to embark on your journey to recovery. Whether you have questions about our services, want to learn more about our 30-day intensive program, or need guidance on EMDR therapy, our team is here to assist you.
- paul@soberatseaside.org
- info@soberatseaside.org
