EMDR
EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a type of trauma treatment that uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain process through traumatic events. EMDR has been studied for decades and is widely accepted as an evidence based treatment for PTSD and many other mental health conditions.
Traumatic memories are stored differently than “normal”memories in the brain. Sometimes our brains do not fully process traumatic memories due to our inability to understand the trauma. Because of this the traumatic memory gets “stuck” in a certain part of the brain that can result in uncomfortable reactions when the memories are triggered, such as extreme emotion, anger or aggressive behavior. EMDR helps the brain to fully process the event so we can understand the event and let go of negative beliefs we had about the traumatic event.
To learn more about EMDR, please visit the EMDR International Association by clicking on the link below.
https://www.emdria.org/about-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 therapy is an integrative psychotherapy method that uses a technique called bilateral stimulation to repeatedly activate opposite sides of the brain. 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 in such a way that normal information processing is resumed. Therapists often use EMDR to help clients uncover and process beliefs that developed as the result of relational traumas, or childhood abuse and/or neglect. For a more detailed explanation please visit the EMDR Institute, Inc.
What does EMDR help?
EMDR had been originally established as helpful for PTSD, although it’s 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 one or more dysfunctional beliefs 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 me today for a free phone consultation to see if EMDR might help you release what no longer serves you.