What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) is recognized as an effective, evidenced-based treatment for trauma-related struggles by many US and International accrediting organizations, including The American Psychiatric Association, The VA and Department of Defense, and World Health Organization.
Often when something traumatic happens , it seems to get locked in the brain with the original picture, sounds, thoughts, feelings and so on. Since the experience is locked there, it continues to be triggered. Whenever a reminder comes up, it can be the basis for a lot of discomfort and sometimes a lot of negative emotions, such as fear and helplessness that we can't seem to control. These are really the emotions connected with the old experience that are being triggered.
The bi-lateral stimulation we use in EMDR seems to unlock the system and allow the two hemispheres of the brain to process the experience. It is believed that this is what is happening in REM, or rapid eye movement sleep.
The important thing to remember is that it is your own brain that will be doing the healing and that you are the one in control.
“The past affects the present, even without our being aware of it”
Understanding Our Brain to Heal the Brain
EMDR is different from other forms of counseling that you may have had in the past. I have been trained in a thorough process of listening to your story and experiences, and together, establishing a treatment plan to reach your goals. Another aspect of EMDR that I love is that you will learn calming resources for your nervous system to use through EMDR and in everyday life!
Part of the EMDR process will include bilateral stimulation, which involves stimulating both hemispheres of the brain in hopes that they will communicate better and process through the incident and existing triggers. Bilateral stimulation can occur through the client following my fingers or a light with eye movements, alternating audio tunes, or alternating hand buzzers. Once we start processing with the bi-lateral stimualtion, the two hemispheres of the brain can more easily link up; thus allowing new information to come to mind and resolve old problems.
Please visit the websites below for more information or give me a call to discuss if EMDR is a good option for you.