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. This portion of sleep is frequently considered to be the time when the mind processes the recent events in your life.
EMDR can help the brain reprocess trapped memories where normal information processing can resume. Therapists often use EMDR to help clients uncover and process negative or limiting beliefs that develop from childhood or relational trauma.
What does EMDR help?
EMDR was originally established to treat PTSD. Although this therapeutic process has since proven extremely helpful for treatment of the following conditions:
- Addictions
- Anxiety (generalized/performance)
- Body Dysmorphic Disorders
- Complicated grief
- Dissociative Disorders
- Disturbing memories
- Pain Disorders
- Panic attacks
- Personality Disorders
- Phobias
- Sexual/physical abuse
- Stress reduction
None of the above symptoms or experiences fit you?
Do you experience distressing emotions that appear 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 consultation to see if EMDR might help you release what no longer serves you.