What is EMDR?
The way I explain EMDR to clients is: EMDR is a form of therapy that is used to reprocess trauma that has been improperly stored or is “stuck” and is still causing extreme stress and problems in your current life. Sometimes when trauma is “stuck” it can be helpful to “re-organize” it in your brain in a way that you can heal from it. We focus on past traumas, current triggers, and make plans for the future.
EMDR requires that you engage your brain with BLS or bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, hand buzzers) while focus on what happened and any memories associated with it. As this happens your brain is creating new more adaptive memory networks.
It can be a very intense experience but it can work much faster than traditional talk therapy. We will work together to make sure you have plenty of grounding skills and other tools to feel safe during the process.
I am happy to explain more and answer any questions you may have about this type of therapy!
A more technical description of EMDR:
“EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. Using the detailed protocols and procedures learned in EMDR therapy training sessions, clinicians help clients activate their natural healing processes.” EMDR.com
“EMDR therapy is an eight-phase treatment. Eye movements (or other bilateral stimulation) are used during one part of the session. After the clinician has determined which memory to target first, the client is asked to hold different aspects of that event or thought in mind and to use their eyes to track the therapist’s hand as it moves back and forth across the client’s field of vision. As this happens, for reasons believed by a Harvard researcher to be connected with the biological mechanisms involved in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, internal associations arise and the clients begin to process the memory and disturbing feelings. EMDR therapy involves attention to three time periods: the past, present, and future. Focus is given to past disturbing memories and related events. Also, it is given to current situations that cause distress, and to developing the skills and attitudes needed for positive future actions.” EMDR.com