EMDR Therapy
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This therapeutic model addresses the psychological and physical symptoms stemming from adverse life experiences.
Before beginning the traumatic memory processing stage of EMDR, we engage in a preparatory process called EMDR Resourcing. This process is about accessing internal resources, strengths, and positive memories, helping you to tap into the goodness in your life and imagination. These are resources that you will practice in our sessions and then use on your own in between sessions to help cope with difficult feelings or experiences.
EMDR uses Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) to transform memories from being painful and distressing, to becoming neutral and calm. Bilateral Stimulation can be done through eye movements, sound, tapping, or pulsers.
Desensitization and reprocessing begins by identifying memories of stress and trauma from your past, along with negative beliefs, emotions, and body sensations that are attached to those memories. EMDR neutralizes the impact of these negative past memories and experiences.
EMDR therapy also can neutralize present day triggers, and with a future template, can help prepare you for handling stress and trauma triggers in your future.
Think of your brain as a suitcase. When you experience stress and trauma, it’s like you have a packed, disorganized suitcase you’re scared to open up. EMDR therapy is like unpacking the suitcase, organizing it, and repacking it. You get rid of what you don’t need, and you fit what’s left in a way that makes sense and is no longer causing you distress. You no longer have to avoid what’s hiding in that suitcase.
Resources to learn about EMDR:
What is EMDR? Learn the basics
What is an actual EMDR session like? Learn the 8 phases of treatment
Introductory video about EMDR
EMDR experts explain the benefits of EMDR
EMDR patients share their stories
An EMDR therapist shares her EMDR experience
What types of issues does EMDR help with?
Along with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD, EMDR can be helpful in treating anxiety, self-esteem issues, relationship issues, addictions, depression, and the impact of attachment/relational issues growing up.
EMDR therapy is offered in various ways in my practice:
Traditional weekly 50 minute sessions