EMDR Therapy
“The past affects the present even without our being aware of it”
Dr. Francine Shapiro (Founder and Creator of EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Empirically supported trauma treatment.
What exactly is EMDR?
What the heck is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s a complete therapeutic approach that helps people heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. EMDR has been extensively researched and has demonstrated effectiveness for trauma. EMDR therapy is recognized as an effective treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by the American Psychiatric Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, The World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense.
How can EMDR help?
EMDR is effective for treating PTSD, emotional, psychological, and sexual trauma, anxiety-based disorders, depression, neglect, drug and alcohol addiction, relationship issues, low self esteem, phobias and anger issues to name a few. EMDR can be used to treat any negative belief you have about yourself and want to change.
What does an EMDR session look like?
EMDR therapy involves attention to three time periods: the past, present, and future. Using an eight phase protocol, EMDR clinicians help clients activate their natural healing processes.
History-taking session(s): Gather relevant history and assess the client’s readiness for EMDR work. We then develop a treatment plan, which includes possible target memories or incidents for re-processing (specific distressing memories or current situations that have been causing emotional distress).
Learning Tools: We teach several different ways of handling emotional distress, including various imagery and stress reduction techniques to use during and in between sessions.
Reprocessing sessions: First, you'll focus on a negative image, negative belief, emotions and body sensations related to the target event/memory. Then, associate a positive belief that would indicate a resolution. While focusing on the event, your therapist will guide you through sets of side-to-side eye movements or taps, prompting you to notice what comes to mind. You may experience shifts in insight or changes in images, feelings, and beliefs regarding the event. You have full control to stop at any point if needed. Eye movements or taps are repeated until the event becomes less disturbing.
Review: At this point we review the effectiveness of the reprocessing sessions and if related historical events have been successfully processed.
This is just a general outline of what EMDR is like. EMDR therapy can be tailored to the clients specific needs and circumstances.
Why do EMDR?
It’s Safe. It’s Quick. It’s efficient.
Little to no homework between sessions.
Participants notice a major decrease of emotional distress related to memory.
It facilitates long-lasting behavioral changes in less time.
When clients come back after an EMDR session, and we check in about the “thing” that was very disturbing- sometimes they don’t even remember they felt disturbed by the thing. They aren’t bothered by the “thing” anymore at all. (emotionally neutral and made peace with the past).
Countless scientific research studies now show that EMDR therapy allows for more rapid healing benefits, as opposed to more classic psychotherapy methods that generally take years to see results.
EMDR pairs well with many other modalities and treatments. You can add EMDR as an adjunct therapy with your current therapist.
How does EMDR work?
When our nervous system senses danger it sends us into fight/flight/freeze. In that state our thinking part of our brain is “offline”. During that time processing the logical parts of the situation doesn’t happen. This can create a constant state of feeling unsafe/irritable.
If the experience is too much for our system and our brain isn’t able to digest or metabolize the entire experience, our brains store the memory in a frozen state, with all the images, thoughts, feelings, smells, and sounds. EMDR helps the brain get “unstuck”.
EMDR activates the brain’s information processing system which naturally moves toward health and healing.
EMDR therapy helps the mind heal from psychological trauma, similar to how the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, natural healing resumes.
EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with the mental processes, which makes sense, because the brain is just another organ in the body.
How many sessions will I need to attend?
The number of sessions you'll need varies greatly depending on the type and complexity of the event. Your therapist may also use EMDR therapy in combination with other modalities.
Does insurance cover EMDR therapy?
Yes, as an evidence-based form of treatment, it is covered by insurance.
How long does the treatment last?
Once the entire EMDR process is complete, you should experience permanent symptom reduction. Some individuals require additional EMDR later in life as other life events occur and need reprocessing.
What should I expect after an EMDR session?
EMDR therapy can impact people quite differently. Some individuals report no noticeable change immediately after an EMDR session, while others report an increase in dreams, thoughts, and emotions about the event they are reprocessing. You may experience feeling physically and emotionally "drained" at the end of an EMDR processing session. Your therapist will ask you to note any new thoughts, memories, dreams, emotions, or body sensations you experience between sessions to guide your next time together.
How often do you need EMDR sessions?
EMDR is typically every week. However, it can still be effective every other week, with slower progress. Emerging research establishes the effectiveness of EMDR Intensives that involve administering EMDR therapy several hours a day for multiple days in a row.
EMDR Testimonials
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EMDR Testimonials *
“ I went to years of talk therapy for my childhood trauma and never really felt any permanent relief. I was self-destructive, emotionally dysregulated, and couldn’t stop the pattern of behaviors that I knew (logically) weren’t helpful for me. Most of the time I just didn’t give a crap, because I felt hopeless that things would never get better. After the first session of EMDR, I felt like a completely different person. I had finally gotten a glimpse of peace and freedom. Once I experienced this life changing therapy, I was hooked. It was hard to bring up the traumas/painful memories, but the relief was almost immediate, so it was worth the small amount of discomfort. EMDR has transformed my brain, my body, my relationships, and my life.” ~ S.S.
“I wanted to let you know I just accepted a school counseling position- I kept thinking about everything anxiety has taken from me and realized I’m not content with my current role and wanted to go back to the work I’m passionate about. So thank you for what you do, I’m not sure I would have ever gotten to this point without those sessions!” ~ Former Client
“Truly, truly amazing. I am a walking/talking testament to how well EMDR works” ~ U.S. Navy Veteran
“Is this for real? When I think about the memory now, I can’t make myself upset about it. Nothing is there.” ~ Former Client
“It was a mind trip. Unbelievable how well it works and how fast it works” ~ U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
“I can’t believe it. Just bringing up the memories now, I feel nothing towards it.” ~ Former Client/First Responder
“That’s so weird.” ~ Many current and former clients
“I don’t think about the experience/memory and if I try to, there isn’t a physical or emotional response to it.” ~ Former Client
“I physically feel calmer.” ~Former Client