Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing

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. 

EMDR is an abbreviation of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This complex and powerful method of psychotherapy incorporates the most successful elements from a wide range of psychotherapy approaches, and as a specific supplement uses eye movements or other forms of bilateral rhythmic stimulation such as tapping or alternating sounds in a way that helps the nervous system to process the traumatic information.

EMDR is a psychotherapy that allows people to heal from symptoms of emotional distress caused by traumatic life experiences. Research shows that through EMDR therapy, people can feel the effects of improvement in a short period of time, which with some other therapies takes much longer.

EMDR shows that the mind can recover from emotional trauma just as the body can recover from physical trauma.
The information processing system in our brain is naturally geared towards mental health. When that system is blocked by upsetting events, emotional injuries cause intense suffering. Once that blockage is removed, the healing process continues. Through the application of detailed protocols and procedures, psychotherapists help clients activate their own natural healing processes.

The EMDR therapy process works in three areas:

  1. Coping with traumatic experiences from the past

  2. Coping with the current stressful situation

  3. Dealing with disturbing ideas that are related to future events

How does it work?

1

First, we work through a preparation process where I teach mindfulness and grounding techniques that can be used in moments of distress. We'll also pinpoint the specific areas of your experience that you're finding the most troubling.

2

As we move forward, we'll focus on decreasing the intensity of these experiences by briefly bringing them to mind and using bilateral stimulation (body-based techniques like tapping or eye movement) to help reprocess and reorganize the memory.

3

We'll then collaborate on the integration of your future life vision with more helpful and positive beliefs. It's not magic - but it might feel like it. It's the use of your body's own ability to heal so that you can become unstuck and your memories become manageable.

 More About EMDR…

  • EMDR therapy can last from as little as one session and up to a year or beyond depending on the complexity of the problem, the type of trauma, and life circumstances. EMDR sessions can be between 60 to 90 minutes. EMDR can be a brief targeted treatment or part of a longer psychotherapy program.

  • During EMDR therapy, you are fully awake and aware. This is not a form of hypnosis and you can stop the process at any time. During the session, the therapist will support and facilitate the client’s self-healing and will intervene as little as possible. The reprocessing of traumatic memories is usually perceived as something that happens spontaneously, and new connections and insights emerge quite naturally. As a result, most people experience EMDR as a natural and highly stimulating therapy.

  • According to the Diagnostic Statical Manual 5 (DSM5):

    • Memories of the event (during the day or in nightmares)

    • Avoiding people, places, and activities that remind you of what happened.

    • Changes in behavior – taking more risks, having trouble focusing, etc.

    • Difficult feelings like shame, guilt, sadness, bad feelings about other people, hopeless, numbness, or an overall sense of negativity.

    • Flashbacks

    • Feeling easily startled, agitated, or having trouble sleeping.

    • Loss of interest in enjoyable activities.