EMDR Therapy
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a thoroughly researched and validated form of therapy that helps people recover from distressing experiences. By resolving unprocessed trauma that’s stored in the body, EMDR facilitates the brain’s natural healing process.
An Evidence-Based Approach To Trauma Treatment
Dr. Francine Shapiro is considered the founder of EMDR therapy after discovering a connection between rapid eye movement (bilateral stimulation) and persistent upsetting memories. Since its development in the 1980s, EMDR has been scrutinized by trauma experts through countless trials, case studies, and clinical hours.
Today, EMDR is considered one of the most effective treatments for trauma and trauma-related disorders, verified by organizations across the globe, including the US Department of Veterans Affairs (USVA) and Department of Defense (DOD), the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization (WHO), and many more.
Due to its effectiveness, mental health clinicians and researchers worldwide support the use of EMDR in the treatment of the following common conditions:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related issues (such as workplace abuse, a car accident, or exposure trauma as a First Responder)
Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression
Phobias (including medical phobias and fear of flying or driving)
Symptoms related to surviving domestic or sexual abuse, assault, or witnessing violence
Grief and loss, including loss of a loved one or loss related to a life transition (which may include divorce, the end of a relationship, launching a child, and changes to physical wellness during menopause or illness)
Chronic pain
Change Is A Tough Yet Meaningful Aspect Of Life
How Does EMDR Work?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing can be used during talk therapy sessions, as an adjunctive therapy with a separate therapist, or as a treatment by itself. With the goal of completely neutralizing traumatic memories at the brain/body-based level, EMDR allows clients to experience fewer symptoms and oftentimes move through the counseling process more quickly. Time spent in EMDR therapy greatly depends on each client’s history and impact of trauma, with most sessions lasting between 60 and 90 minutes.
The Treatment Process
In order to understand how EMDR works, we must first look at how trauma impacts the mind and body. When our body enters fight, flight, or freeze following a distressing experience, our brain develops a conditioned stress response. We hold onto the lingering distress even after we’re out of danger, causing us to frequently recall upsetting images, thoughts, and associations with the traumatic event. It can make us feel like we are “frozen in time” inside of the event, overwhelmed with discomfort, anxiety, and fear.
EMDR does not erase traumatic memories, but it does neutralize them. As a client repeats the process of bilateral stimulation, desensitization, and evaluation of treatment, they effectively neutralize trauma at its source, noticing a reduction of symptoms in real time.
Unlike other forms of therapy, EMDR does not require take-home assignments or a detailed discussion of the distressing experience. Instead, an EMDR therapist stimulates a “conversation” between the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex in the brain, using side-to-side visual or auditory cues. In other words, EMDR recalibrates the brain so that it can access its natural healing process more effectively.
Moreover, EMDR is different than other counseling methods in its emotional approach. Whereas much of talk therapy focuses on changing emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, EMDR taps into the brain’s innate capacity for healing itself. EMDR is not as interested in emotions, thoughts, and behaviors as it is in one’s experience of them, facilitating lasting peace, comfort, and emotional regulation.
EMDR At Four Seasons Counseling
I am committed to helping all of my clients thrive—and not just survive—in life, which is why I use EMDR in therapy. Since incorporating this method into my practice in 2017, I’ve seen firsthand how successful eye movement therapy is in promoting healing among clients of all ages and backgrounds. As a trauma-informed therapist, in particular, I believe that EMDR is an invaluable tool for effectively and enduringly processing trauma in the brain.
Whether clients are working with me solely in EMDR treatment or using EMDR in conjunction with talk therapy, I will tailor the therapeutic process to their needs. And for clients working with a separate talk therapist, I will ensure that care is coordinated so that any new information processed using EMDR can be further explored with their counselor.
Though I am a strong proponent of EMDR, I also think that other therapy methods can be useful in treatment. For instance, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often an approach I draw from, as it can help clients to self-soothe throughout the EMDR process and develop a healthier relationship with their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors..
You Can Heal From The Effects Of Trauma
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a revolutionary approach to trauma-informed counseling. Working together in therapy using EMDR, you can experience relief from anxiety and depression symptoms, trauma-related issues, and other setbacks.
Read more about EMDR by visiting the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) website or contact me to schedule a free, 20-minute phone consultation today.
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