What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. It involves guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while the client recalls distressing memories, which helps reduce the emotional intensity of those memories. EMDR is particularly effective in treating trauma and PTSD, allowing individuals to reprocess difficult experiences in a way that leads to healthier emotional responses.
How does EMDR work?
The primary aim of EMDR is to assist individuals in safely processing traumatic memories along with the related thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. This is achieved through a series of standardized protocols that include the following key elements:
Desensitization: The therapist guides the individual to focus on a specific traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, alternating sounds, or hand tapping, to reduce distress.
Reprocessing: While the individual engages in bilateral stimulation, the therapist assists them in processing the traumatic memory by helping them access and integrate new insights. This process can reduce distress and foster the development of more adaptive beliefs about themselves and the world.
Resolution: The aim of desensitization and reprocessing is to reduce the intensity of traumatic memories and symptoms, ultimately leading to a sense of resolution and closure.
EMDR operates on the idea that traumatic experiences can become "stuck" in the brain, causing ongoing distress. Bilateral stimulation in EMDR mimics the REM sleep process, aiding in the natural processing of memories. Therapists often use EMDR to help clients process beliefs formed from relational traumas or childhood abuse. For more information, please visit the EMDR Institute, Inc.
What does EMDR help?
EMDR was initially developed to treat PTSD, but it has also proven effective for addressing a variety of other conditions, including:
- Panic Attacks
- Complicated Grief
- Dissociative Orders
- Disturbing Memories
- Phobias
- Pain Disorders
- Performance Anxiety
- Addictions
- Stress Reduction
- Sexual and/or Physical Abuse
- Body Dysmorphic Disorders
- Personality Disorders
None of the above symptoms or experiences fit you?
Not sure if the above symptoms resonate with you?EMDR isn't just for trauma—it can also be effective for a variety of other challenges.
- Do you find yourself experiencing intense emotions that seem out of proportion to the situation?
- Are you particularly sensitive to certain triggers?
- Do you hold onto negative beliefs about yourself, even though you intellectually know they aren’t true?
If so, you may still be a good candidate for EMDR therapy. Contact me today for a free phone consultation to see if EMDR might help you release what no longer serves you.