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 treating trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols incorporating elements from different treatment approaches.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR therapy is an integrative psychotherapy method that repeatedly uses bilateral stimulation to activate opposite sides of the brain. EMDR therapists often use eye movements to facilitate bilateral stimulation. These eye movements mimic the period of sleep referred to as rapid eye movement or REM sleep, and this portion of sleep is frequently considered to be the time when the mind processes the recent events in the person’s life.
EMDR seems to help the brain reprocess the trapped memories so that standard information processing is resumed. Therapists often use EMDR to help clients uncover and process beliefs developed due to relational traumas or childhood abuse and neglect. For a more detailed explanation, please visit the EMDR International Association.
What does EMDR help?
EMDR had been established initially as helpful for PTSD, although it’s been proven beneficial for treatment outcomes in the following conditions:
- Panic Attacks
- Complicated Grief
- Shame
- Moral Injury
- Dissociative Disorders
- Disturbing Memories
- Phobias
- Developmental Trauma
- Birth Trauma
- Performance Anxiety
- Addictions
- Stress Reduction
- Sexual and Physical Abuse
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Somatoform Disorders
- Personality Disorders
None of the above symptoms or experiences fit you?
Given the current situation, do you experience distressing emotions that appear to you and perhaps others to be excessive? Do you tend to be highly reactive to specific triggers or unknown triggers? Is there one or more negative beliefs you believe about yourself that you know are not true on an intellectual level?
If so, you may still be a good candidate for EMDR therapy.
Contact me today for a free consultation to see if EMDR might help you release what no longer serves you.