What is EMDR?

EMDR is an 8 phase approach to psychotherapy that is internationally recognized as an empirically supported treatment when provided by a clinician who has completed an EMDRIA Approved Basic Training in EMDR.

Originally developed to treat PTSD and general trauma-related symptoms. EMDR can also be used to treat:

• Addictive Behaviors

• Anger

• Anxiety

• Creativity-“Flow” Development

• Depression and other mood disorders

• Emotional eating

• Experiences/Memories that are painful to recall

• Loss and Grief

• Performance enhancement: Athletic/academic/musical/professional/general

• Procrastination/avoidance behaviors/indecision

• Relationship enrichment/healing

• Self-esteem improvement

• Stress management

• Trauma: violence/abuse, car accidents, natural disasters

How does EMDR work?

The majority of our daily experiences are naturally processed and laid down in our long-term memory for future recall. But some experiences are too overwhelming or distressing for this to happen naturally.

Instead, they get stuck in part of our brain and nervous system. As a result, we are prone to being repeatedly triggered into re-experiencing the event as though it were happening again for real, rather than recalling it as a memory.

Through the use of careful preparation and techniques specific to EMDR (including the ‘Eye Movement’ aspect), it decreases the level of disturbance (the ‘Desensitization’ aspect) and allows different parts of our brain to make new links and new learning (the ‘Reprocessing’ aspect).

In practical terms, it brings relief from repeated distress, and a new way of thinking and feeling about a disturbing experience or memory.

Another benefit of EMDR for many clients is the fact it is not necessary to talk in great detail about the distressing event for healing to take place.