What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for eye movement, desensitization and reprocessing. It's a type of therapy that helps people heal from trauma or other distressing experiences. It uses various forms of bilateral stimulation (like tapping, eye movements, or sounds) to help the brain reprocess past memories. It lessens the heightened emotions or reactions connected with certain events. It doesn't erase the memory, but rather allows it to be viewed in a more helpful way without feeling so triggering. It can also be used to help people feel a greater sense of calm and shift the way they view current stressors or emotions.
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I often integrate EMDR with Internal Family Systems. This involves exploring one's "inner child" or "inner parts" while adding tapping or other bilateral stimulation. Many appreciate this gentle yet powerful approach to healing trauma.
Why EMDR Therapy?
It can help with
Traumatic Experiences
EMDR therapy can provide relief from the distress associated with traumatic events, allowing individuals to process and heal from past experiences.
Anxiety and Panic Disorders
EMDR therapy offers effective treatment for anxiety and panic disorders, helping individuals regain control over their emotions and responses to triggers.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
For individuals struggling with PTSD, EMDR therapy can alleviate symptoms and assist in reprocessing traumatic memories, promoting mental and emotional healing.
Depression
EMDR therapy can be beneficial in addressing depression by targeting underlying traumatic experiences and enabling individuals to move towards a more positive outlook on life.
Self-Esteem and Personal Growth
By addressing past trauma, EMDR therapy helps in enhancing self-esteem and promoting personal growth, leading to a more confident and resilient mindset.
Relationship Issues
EMDR therapy can aid in resolving relationship issues stemming from past trauma, fostering healthier and more fulfilling connections.
FAQ's​
Do I need to do EMDR in-person?
EMDR can be safely done both in-person and via telehealth. We can talk about what options would be best for your situation.
Won't I just get very overwhelmed from thinking about hard stuff from my past? ​​
I will teach you emotional regulation, containment, and distress tolerance skills prior to starting EMDR. There are also ways to work with past memories in a very safe, slow and contained way so that you won't get overwhelmed. You always get to be in control of what you want to reprocess with EMDR, and I can help you break it into small pieces to make it easier to work with.
Do you do EMDR with all of your clients?
Certainly not! EMDR is one modality I use in therapy. Some clients prefer to use other strategies and EMDR may also not be the most effective tool for everyone. What is more important to me is to find what works for each person's unique needs and preferences.
Can I do EMDR on my own?
EMDR is typically recommended to do with a trained therapist. However, I can teach you techniques (like tapping) that you can incorporate in between sessions to help aid in your healing process.