What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of a number of mental health challenges.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR therapy is an integrative psychotherapy and uses a technique called bilateral stimulation to repeatedly activate opposite sides of the brain. Therapists often use eye movements or other modalities to facilitate bilateral stimulation. These eye movements mimic the period of sleep referred to as rapid eye movement or REM sleep, and this portion of sleep is frequently considered to be the time when the mind processes the recent events in the person’s life.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess the trapped memories in such a way that normal information processing is resumed. Therapists often use EMDR to help clients uncover and process negative core beliefs that developed as the result of relational traumas, childhood abuse or neglect, or difficult events they have experienced. For a more detailed explanation please visit The EMDR Institute or EMDR Consulting
What is different about EMDR?
- EMDR focuses on the brain’s ability to constantly learn, taking past experiences, and updating them with present information.
- Adaptive learning is constantly updating memory network systems.
- Past emotionally-charged experiences often interfere with your updating process.
- EMDR breaks through that interference and helps let go of the past and update your experiences to a healthier present perspective.
What does EMDR help?
EMDR had been originally established as helpful for PTSD, although it’s been proven useful for treatment in the following conditions:
- Panic Attacks
- Complicated Grief
- Disturbing Memories
- Phobias
- Childhood traumas
- Pain Disorders
- Anxious thoughts
- Stress Reduction
- Dependence on unhealthy coping mechanisms or behaviors
- Fears that people will leave you Sexual and/or Physical Abuse
This is not a complete list as EMDR has been proven to be effective for a numerous events and symptoms you may be experiencing.
Do you experience distressing emotions that appear to you, and perhaps to others, to be excessive given the current situation? Do you tend to be highly reactive to certain triggers? Do you have a negative core belief about yourself that intellectually is not true? As an example: “Do you ever feel worthless although you know you are a worthwhile person?” Do you ever feel not good enough although you have proof to indicate that you are enough?
If so, you may still be a good candidate for EMDR therapy. Contact me today for a free phone consultation to see if EMDR might help you release what no longer serves you.