Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapy modality that facilitates healing from symptoms of emotional distress resulting from disturbing life experiences.
The healing that takes place is similar to that of healing from a physical wound. For example, when you cut your hand your body works to close the wound. If there is debris in the wound it won’t completely heal, or it might look like it has healed but can still cause irritation, become inflamed, or continue to cause pain and discomfort. In order for the wound to completely heal the debris needs to be removed.
EMDR research has shown a similar sequence of events happens with the mental process.
Our brain’s information processing system naturally moves towards mental health, similar to how our body naturally moves towards closing a wound (to use the earlier example). However, the impact of a disturbing event can block or imbalance the healing process resulting in an emotional wound that can cause intense suffering. EMDR therapy works to remove the block, allowing the healing process to resume.
Some psychological disturbances are obvious such as abuse or trauma, while other disturbances are much less obvious.
Divorce, loss, social experiences, or miss-attunement with a caregiver can also cause significant disturbances. Effects of these disturbances can show up in all kinds of ways in daily life.
You don’t have to resign yourself to living with these disturbances—healing can happen.
Together, we will determine the best steps to take to reach your treatment goal. Further, we will work with you to ensure you are comfortable, prepared, and confident in the process while we progress to meet your treatment goal.
EMDR can help with:
- PTSD
- Trauma (single incident as well as multiple incidents – or long-term trauma such as abuse)
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief and Loss