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 therapy is an integrative psychotherapy that uses a technique called bilateral stimulation to repeatedly activate opposite sides of the brain. Therapists often use eye movements to facilitate the 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 a person’s life.
EMDR seems to help the brain reprocess trapped memories in such a way that normal information processing is resumed. Therapists often use EMDR to help clients process issues that have developed as the result of traumas, abuse or neglect. For a more detailed explanation please visit EMDR Institute, Inc.
What does EMDR help?
EMDR was originally established as helpful for PTSD, although it has been proven useful for treatment in the following conditions:
- 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?
Do you experience distressing emotions that appear to you, and perhaps to others, to be excessive given the current situation? Do you tend to be highly reactive to certain triggers? Is there a belief you have about yourself that impairs your ability to function, even though you know on an intellectual level that the belief is not true?
If so, you may still be a good candidate for EMDR therapy.
Contact me today for a consultation to see if EMDR might help you release what no longer serves you.