What is EMDR?
Sometimes “talk therapy” is not enough. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) works directly with the brain and the way memories, thoughts, feelings, and body sensations are stored when we are traumatized.
It was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the 1980s, EMDR has been deemed to be highly effective by numerous research studies for over 35 years. In fact, it is currently one of the gold standards for the treatment of trauma and PTSD used by the US Veteran’s Administration.
Therapists must spend 60 hours of continuing education just to learn how to use this science.
EMDR includes potent techniques that help people heal from upsetting events. Haunting losses and traumas get locked inside the mind, body, and nervous system and are stored there indefinitely.
EMDR allows clients to release these locked-up experiences so they are no longer as upsetting and so they no longer damage a client’s sense of self-esteem and security.
A common misconception is that a person has to be struggling with mental health or major life challenges to benefit from EMDR. On the contrary, one of the most interesting and innovative uses of EMDR has been in performance enhancement in addition to its ability to decrease fear, stress, or anxiety related to performance.
HOW EMDR WORKS
EMDR therapy accesses and links the multiple facets of memory (image, cognition, emotion, and sensation) and uses bilateral stimulation/dual-attention stimulus (eye movements or tactile or auditory stimulation) to decrease the traumatic response associated with specific incidents in a person’s life. It taps into the brain’s natural ability to heal and helps the brain effectively process traumatic memories so that when the memory is recalled, there is no traumatic response associated with the memory.
OTHER WAYS EMDR CAN HELP
EMDR has several wonderful applications. In addition to decreasing disturbance associated with trauma, it is effective in decreasing anxiety and targeting irrational or negative thinking, both of which may get in the way of performance. In addition, it can help a person to gain confidence in his or her ability to perform a task or reach a goal.
EMDR works to achieve this by installing positive beliefs, and by having a person imagine doing the thing he or she is nervous to do or wants to improve in while doing bilateral stimulation. This has the effect of simultaneously decreasing the fear, anxiety, or stress associated with the task and boosting confidence. EMDR helps the brain to think in a healthier, more adaptive way by removing blocks (such as negative self-beliefs) and helping the person to tap into their strengths.
“I was surprised by the effectiveness of EMDR therapy. It was intense at times, different than talk therapy, but after a few sessions, I was able to let go of the pain I have been carrying around for years! It has changed my life.”
-Andrew Mitchell
(Actual Client Quote, Name, and Photo Changed for Privacy)
Frequently Asked Questions about EMDR.
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PTSD, Anxiety, Panic attacks, Fear & phobias, Stress, Grief and loss, Relationship issues, Childhood trauma, Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Occupational stress, Combat stress, Auto accidents, Natural disaster, Violent crime, School trauma, Agoraphobia, Anger management, Social anxiety, Physical or chronic illness, Flashbacks, Nightmares, Birth trauma, Divorce Recovery, Loss of self-esteem, Procrastination, Perfectionism, Addictions, Compulsions/OCD, Creative blocks, Athletic performance, Goal setting, and Life transitions.
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EMDR therapy has many applications but the most documented is trauma. Other areas which have found success with EMDR are performance enhancement, panic attacks, anxiety, phobias, addictions, stress reduction, complicated grief, stage fright, public speaking, and pain in general. We may use a modified version of the standard EMDR therapy protocol to treat these issues.
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Trauma can be easily categorized into “Big T’s,” and “Little t’s” traumas.
A “Big T” trauma is a single incident trauma or life-changing event. A “Big T,” would be a single or series of severely traumatic experiences. Common examples of “Big T” traumas would include; war, rape, and major accidents. “Big T” traumas that are single incidents can process quickly with EMDR therapy.
“Little t” traumas are an accumulation of a series of traumatic or abusive events Several “Little t” traumas can be described as a series of less traumatic events over a period of time. Some of these events may not even be recognizable to the individual as a “Little t,” but remain as implicit memory. Some examples of “Little t” traumas include; childhood neglect and abuse, repeated verbal abuse from a close family member or authority figure, bullying, domestic abuse, and complicated grief. “Little t” traumas are more common than “Big T” traumas. In fact, people may not even identify them as traumatic. “Little t” traumas usually require more EMDR therapy sessions to process.
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Treatment can be very rapid, however, the number of sessions will vary, according to the complexity of the issues being dealt with. After an EMDR session, there may be a strong sense of relief, a feeling of openness and healing. EMDR therapy may require fewer sessions than traditional therapy. Relief from emotional distress often comes within the first few sessions.
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Yes, we provide adjunctive EMDR therapy. Because not all therapists are trained to use EMDR, we offer our expertise to supplement the ongoing therapy of clients who are receiving talk therapy with their primary therapist. Adjunctive therapy does not replace or interrupt ongoing therapy. It is a complement to the primary therapy relationship.
With adjunctive EMDR therapy clients remain under the care and continue to receive treatment with their original therapist.
Usually, this type of adjunctive EMDR is a short-term (4-12 sessions) to assist in processing a single incident trauma or simple phobia that is interfering with the client making therapeutic gains. The success of the treatment is based on clearly defined goals for the EMDR therapist as defined by the primary therapist and client.
To learn more about adjunctive EMDR therapy or the referral process please contact us