What is EMDR?
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach that helps people heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences. It's a unique therapy that utilizes bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, to help the brain process and resolve traumatic memories.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
EMDR therapy works on the principle that unresolved traumatic experiences can get stuck in the nervous system, leading to a variety of emotional and physical symptoms. During EMDR therapy, the therapist guides the client through a series of steps that involve:
Identifying the Target: The client and therapist identify a specific traumatic memory or distressing event to focus on.
Assessing the Distress: The client rates the level of distress associated with the target memory.
Bilateral Stimulation: While recalling the memory, the client engages in bilateral stimulation, such as:
Eye movements back and forth
Tapping on the hands or legs alternately
Listening to alternating tones
Processing and Reprocessing: During the bilateral stimulation, the brain naturally begins to process the traumatic memory, allowing the client to gradually diminish the associated distress.
Re-evaluation: The client re-evaluates the distress level associated with the target memory after each round of bilateral stimulation.
What Conditions Can EMDR Therapy Treat?
EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety disorders
Depression
Grief and loss
Phobias
Panic disorder
Chronic pain
Performance anxiety
Benefits of EMDR Therapy:
Rapid Results: Many clients experience significant improvements in their symptoms within a relatively short period of time.
Gentle and Effective: EMDR therapy is generally considered a gentle and non-invasive approach to healing from trauma.
Addresses the Root Cause: By addressing the underlying root causes of emotional distress, EMDR therapy can help clients achieve lasting relief.
Interested in getting started with EMDR? Click HERE to submit an inquiry.
Resources:
EMDRIA - EMDR International Association
