EMDR

Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is research-based treatment that provides rapid relief for people experiencing symptoms of traumatic stress through safely facilitating the brain’s natural healing process. These traumas, which may occur as a single-event or reoccurring experiences (such as on-going abuse) sometimes contribute to following experiences: difficulty sleeping, nightmares, panic attacks, agitation, anger, depression, isolation, feelings of emotional numbness, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, increased alcohol use, loss of interest in activities or relationships, feeling disconnected from relationships, and feeling that others cannot be trusted.

Traumatic experiences may cause memories and associated sensation related to the traumatic event to become frozen (unprocessed) in the brain. If unprocessed, these memories may be re-experienced as if they are occurring in the present. It is believed that this is the root of many symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

EMDR mobilizes and reprocesses the unsorted memories. Reprocessing these memories leads to a significant decrease (in many cases a complete absence) of these troubling symptoms. EMDR does not erase these memories, but significantly decreases the intensity or discomfort experienced with the memories. Many client’s report a complete elimination of suffering related to these memories.

Client’s gain insight as the brain heals and reprocesses the memories with adaptive information that exists in the present.

Survivors of adverse life experiences, single or multiple incident traumatic experiences, ongoing mistreatment as a child/adolescent and/or events often find EMDR helpful in rapidly reducing the frequency and intensity of symptoms. In-fact- many people report a complete recovery from problematic symptoms.

EMDR is recognized as an effective form of therapy by:

- Department of Veterans Affairs & Department Defense

- World Health Organization

- American Psychiatric Association

- SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices

- International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (2018) Practice Guidelines.

I completed EMDR training through the EMDR Institute. For more information on EMDR, please visit www.EMDR.com.