EMDR Therapy

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From a trauma informed approach, I often utilizes EMDR to support those I work with in recovering from a wide variety of conditions. EMDR has proven to be a valuable asset to the healing process and can be utilized in many ways to support different challenges.

What is EMDR Therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a extensively researched evidence based psychotherapy method that has been proven to treat a long list of mental health conditions. EMDR is a structured therapy that supports clients in briefly focusing on a trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing some form of  bilateral stimulation (e.g. eye movements, tapping, vibrations).  Experiencing bilateral stimulation while attending to a trauma memory contributes to a reduction in the vividness and emotionality associated with the targeted memory.  Consequently, once the traumatic memory is processed, reminders or triggers related to the traumatic memory become less emotionally relevant and clients often enjoy a greater sense of neutrality in day to day events that were previously triggering.
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Who Can Benefit from EMDR?

EMDR is an effective form of therapy for adults and children of all ages. EMDR is a very adaptable therapeutic tool and can be modified in many ways to accommodate a wide range of symptoms or client limitations. Below is a list of some issues that EMDR can treat.
  • Addictions
  • Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
  • Chronic Illness and medical issues
  • Depression and bipolar disorders​
  • Dissociative disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Grief and loss
  • Pain
  • Performance anxiety
  • Personality disorders​
  • PTSD and other trauma and stress-related issues
  • Sexual assault
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Substance abuse and addiction
  • Violence and abuse​​

How is EMDR therapy different from other therapies?

EMDR therapy focuses on past traumatic memories and capitalizes on a person's natural ability to heal from an emotional trauma. EMDR does not require talking about or sharing specific details about the traumatic event, nor does it require homework outside of the therapy meeting. EMDR focuses on relaxing the response to the targeted traumatic memory and this helps change emotions, thoughts and behaviors related to the memory.

EMDR is particularly focused on resolving unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain and this can often be achieve in fewer sessions that other forms psychotherapies.

Helpful EMDR Videos

More EMDR Resources

Francine Shapiro Library [Research Library]
  https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/
Recent Research About EMDR Therapy (EMDRIA)
  https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/recent-research-about-emdr/
​Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life [BOOK]
  https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Past-Your-Self-Help-Techniques/dp/1609619951
EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
  https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/ 
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"The American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs/Dept. of Defense, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the World Health Organization among many other national and international organizations recognize EMDR therapy as an effective treatment."

Read More: ​www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
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Schedule a free EMDR consultation today.