EMDR

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 trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from different treatment approaches.

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 to facilitate the 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 seems to help the brain reprocess the trapped memories is such a way that normal information processing is resumed. Therapists often use EMDR to help clients uncover and process beliefs that developed as the result of relational traumas, or childhood abuse and/or neglect. For a more detailed explanation please visit EMDR Institute, Inc. or EMDRIA

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
Dissociative Orders
Disturbing Memories
Phobias
Pain Disorders
Performance Anxiety
Addictions
Stress Reduction
Sexual and/or Physical Abuse
Body Dysmorphic Disorders
Personality Disorders

None of the above symptoms or experiences fit you?

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? Is there one or more dysfunctional belief that you believe about yourself that on an intellectual level you know is not true?

If so, you may still be a good candidate for EMDR therapy.

Options for EMDR therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be done during routine 45-60 minute psychotherapy sessions, typically in a weekly or every other week format. When done this way, we’re working on identified memories over time. This can be a great way to pace the trauma healing and experience change with a longer term EMDR therapist. A benefit to doing EMDR this way is to have ongoing support through the change process and have continued support from your therapist over time. Stephanie Schutte, LCSW provides EMDR in this format.

EMDR can be done during short term intensive sessions, typically 2-3 hours per session occurring over several days scheduled closely together. When done this way, we’re working on very specific memories in depth at once. This can be a great way to dive deep and heal traumas quickly. A benefit to doing EMDR this way is to experience a lot of change quickly. Jennifer Jenkins-Boitnott, LPC provides EMDR in this format.

Which way is right for you? That depends on what your treatment goals are for EMDR therapy and how you want to work on healing your trauma.

Check out the EMDR intensive screening questions for more details and to get us your information. From there, we can help you figure out if an EMDR intensive or ongoing EMDR therapy is right for you.

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