Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was created by Francine Shapiro. It is based on the idea that traumatic experiences can become "stuck" in the brain, leading to negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that can impact a person's daily life. EMDR therapy works to reprocess these difficult memories, allowing the brain to integrate the experience in a more adaptive way.

When a distressing experience occurs, it may become entrenched in the nervous system alongside associated images, sounds, thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. This upset is contained within a distinct memory network in the brain and body, which impedes the ability to learn from the experience. Consequently, this material can be repeatedly triggered, leaving an individual feeling emotionally "stuck." Meanwhile, most of the necessary information for resolving this distress is located in a separate network in the brain, but the two networks are unable to connect. EMDR therapy facilitates the linkage of these two networks, allowing new information to emerge and ultimately resolving the old distress.

One of the unique features of EMDR therapy is that it does not require you to talk in great detail about the traumatic event or experience. Instead, you will be asked to simply think about the memory, and your therapist will use a series of eye movements, sounds, or taps to stimulate your brain's information processing system, allowing you to reprocess the traumatic memory in a more adaptive way. This can help to reduce the intensity of negative emotions and beliefs associated with the memory, and lead to significant improvements in your overall well-being.

EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and phobias.

If you are considering EMDR therapy, it's important to work with a licensed and experienced practitioner in trauma informed therapy. As a therapist with 10 years of experience working with trauma patients, certified in trauma informed practices, and currently undergoing extensive training in EMDR, I can help you overcome trauma, anxiety, and other mental health challenges in a safe and supportive environment.

I understand that the decision to pursue therapy can be a difficult one. That's why I offer a non-judgmental, compassionate approach that is tailored to your individual needs and goals. Together, we can work towards helping you achieve greater emotional wellness and an improved quality of life.

EMDR FAQs

  • EMDR therapy stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a type of therapy that helps people process traumatic memories and other challenging life experiences in a safe and effective way. The EMDR International Association provides more detail here

  • EMDR may be appropriate for anyone who has endured any event that led to a lasting impact or negative thought process. This could look like systemic racism, oppression, any kind of accident, trauma, or tragic event that is causing emotional distress. It has been shown to be effective in treating children, adolescents and adults for a wide range of mental health issues, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, phobias, and more.

  • The length of EMDR therapy varies depending on the individual and the issues being addressed. As with other forms of therapy, building a relationship with your therapist is the first and most crucial step. Some people may experience significant improvement after just a few sessions, while others may require more. Sessions are limited to 53 minutes for clients utilizing insurance.

  • No. You remain fully conscious, aware and in control throughout every stage of EMDR. You can stop the process at any time and transition back to regular talk therapy. What are the differences and similarities between hypnosis and EMDR?

  • Most insurance companies do not distinguish between EMDR and other forms of talk therapy. If your insurance plan has mental health benefits, it most likely covers EMDR.