EMDR

EMDR is a structured treatment approach that works by using bilaterial stimulation (typically eye movements or tapping) while focusing briefly on a traumatic memory to help reduce the intensity and vividness of emotion related to the experience. It has been heavily researched and is recognized by national and international mental health organizations as one of the most effective treatments for trauma and PTSD symptoms. There is also ongoing research showing its effectiveness for other mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

EMDR is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. EMDR therapy allows the brain to resume its natural healing process, while other trauma therapies may focus on changing specific emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue.

Our brains and bodies are capable of healing naturally - unless something gets in the way. With physical injuries, we don’t need to tell our body how to heal unless there is a foreign object stuck in the wound. In that case, our body will still try to heal (and it may even do it most of the way), but chances are it’ll still feel tender when touched and may even get infected later on.

Our brains are the same way. When a difficult experience happens to us, our brain is capable of healing from the effects on its own, unless there is something getting in the way. Our brain will still do the best it can to heal, but over time, healing can get stalled and people can get stuck. Many of my clients will often say that while they know that they are safe now, that it wasn’t their fault, or that they are not worthless - emotionally those statements don’t feel true.

EMDR can help by allowing the brain to process memories and allow for normal healing to resume. It doesn’t make the memory go away, but can help resolve whatever is causing the fight, flight, and freeze responses.

EMDR does NOT involve talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework in between sessions. EMDR treatment starts with an assessment of your current symptoms and a focus on coping strategies to help manage distress. Then, we’ll identify specific memories and beliefs from the past that are continuing to negatively impact you today. The remainder of treatment will focus on reprocessing those memories and experiences.

Many individuals find that as we start reprocessing, the positive effects generalize to other difficult memories and beliefs as well, much like dominos. This also means that the length of time for treatment varies. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in much fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.

Many of my clients come to me feeling that while they are managing “well enough” they still feel stuck. Reminders of previous traumas may still be leading to irritability, reactivity, dissociation, or withdrawal. This can impact their relationships and ability to enjoy life. EMDR can help you process those traumatic memories allowing you to break free from your past experiences.