EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from different treatment approaches.

How does EMDR work?

EMDR uses a technique called bilateral stimulation to repeatedly activate opposite sides of the brain, often through eye movements that mimic REM sleep — the portion of sleep frequently considered to be when the mind processes recent events. EMDR seems to help the brain reprocess trapped memories so that normal information processing can resume. It's often used to help clients uncover and process beliefs that developed as the result of relational trauma, or childhood abuse and/or neglect.

What does EMDR help?

EMDR was originally established as helpful for PTSD, and has since been shown useful for panic attacks, complicated grief, dissociative disorders, disturbing memories, phobias, pain disorders, performance anxiety, addictions, stress reduction, and the effects of sexual or physical abuse.

If you experience distressing emotions that feel excessive given the current situation, tend to be highly reactive to certain triggers, or hold a belief about yourself that you know, intellectually, isn't true — you may be a good candidate for EMDR. Contact me today for a free phone consultation to see if EMDR might help you release what no longer serves you.