Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a type of therapy that helps people heal from traumatic life experiences. 25 years of research indicates that EMDR resolves PTSD and trauma-related issues more quickly than other therapies. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can heal from psychological trauma much like the body recovers from physical trauma. 

How is EMDR different than traditional talk therapy?

EMDR is trauma-focused modality. It is different than traditional talk therapy because it helps individuals re-process memories so that they are less disturbing and intrusive. EMDR also reduces emotional and physical symptoms of distress.

What Can EMDR Treat?

EMDR is used primarily to treat trauma and PTSD. In addition, EMDR can address:

  • Social Anxiety/Performance Anxiety

  • Generalized Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Phobias

  • Complicated Grief

  • Personality Disorders

  • Addictions

  • Attachment Issues

  • Witnesses of Domestic Violence

  • Disruptive Behavior

How does it work?

The hippocampus is the brain's "file cabinet" and stores all of our memories. When we experience trauma, our natural ability to process information is disrupted. As a result, the files in our memory bank become disorganized, hard to access, and difficult to read. EMDR helps the brain recover, organize, and properly store memory files. 

In an EMDR session, the client is asked to recall a memory and notice the emotions, beliefs, and physical sensations that accompany it. Then, the therapist uses bi-lateral stimulation to "start the engine" of the brain's natural information processing system to properly "file" the memory.

Each client will prefer a different version of bi-lateral stimulation. I use four different methods:

  • Tapping on the top of the hands

  • Tactile pulsers (buzzers) that the client holds in each hand

  • Eye movements

  • Audio tones

The Benefits of EMDR

  • Addresses the past, present, and future to help you get "unblocked", feel more confident, and move forward

  • Feeling less "stuck" on the thoughts, feelings, and experiences that are bothering you

  • Perceiving that your traumatic memories are less powerful and/or distant

  • Decreases feelings of anxiety, shame, sadness, and guilt

  • Alleviates medically unexplained symptoms such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal distress, and physical tension

EMDR brain red.jpg

The Therapeutic Process

My role as an EMDR therapist is to guide clients in re-experiencing traumatic memories in a safe environment. Throughout treatment, I act as a "navigational assistant" to help clients notice, process, and let go of distressing material.

EMDR treatment has three phases:

1) Treatment Planning

Together, we will identify memories and various targets (i.e. emotions, beliefs, physical discomfort) for processing.

2) Building Resources

I will teach you how to use relaxation and compartmentalization techniques that will help you relax and remain calm throughout the process.

3) Trauma Processing

I will provide you with an individualized course for treatment. The process is collaborative and includes processing memories in a hierarchical order, depending on your specific needs.