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.
When a traumatic or disturbing event occurs, our brain’s communication between the two hemispheres is often disrupted, thus causing a traumatic reaction and subsequent triggers/symptoms. By identifying faulty core cognitive beliefs tied to the event(s) and reprocessing it with the aid of bilateral stimulation, we are able to help our brain heal itself and reduce the distress and negative cognition associated with the trauma.
“The past affects the present, even without our being aware of it”
Helping Our Brain Heal Itself
EMDR is different from other forms of counseling that you may have had in the past. First, I will spend time building rapport, gathering a thorough history, and developing a treatment plan. If you are a good fit for EMDR and you decide to participate, I will help you strengthen positive and calming resources 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. I will ask for brief feedback but you will not be instructed to go in depth about the actual event, as other trauma related therapies require. This can help the client feel safer since they are not required to fully relive the experience and will enable to the brain to continue processing more easily.
Please visit the websites below for more information or give me a call to discuss if EMDR is a good option for you.