EMDR Therapy

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 and stressful life experiences. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from various treatment approaches.

How does EMDR work?

EMDR therapy involves a technique called bilateral stimulation to repeatedly activate opposite sides of the brain, which enables the left and right hemispheres to communicate better with one another. During EMDR sessions, the client attends to stressful or traumatic memories in brief, sequential segements while bilateral stimulation of the brain is incorporated. The EMDR Institute explains, “After successful treatment with EMDR therapy, affective distress is relieved, negative beliefs are reformulated, and physiological arousal is reduced.”

The EMDR Institute further describes, “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.” For a more detailed explanation of this therapeutic approach, please visit EMDR Institute, Inc.

What does EMDR help with?

EMDR had been originally established as helpful for PTSD, although it’s been proven useful for treatment of the following conditions:

  • Panic Attacks
  • Complicated Grief
  • Disturbing Memories
  • Phobias
  • Performance Anxiety
  • 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 one or more dysfunctional belief that you believe about yourself that on an intellectual level you know is not true?

If so, you may still be a good candidate for EMDR therapy.

Contact us for a free phone consultation to see if EMDR might help you release what no longer serves you.