EMDR

CREATING CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE USING EMDR

We all go through struggles at one time or another. For some people these struggles come and go and don’t result in any lasting trauma. For others the experience results in scars which manifest in intrusive thoughts, emotional dysregulation, and devastating physical reactions. The impact of these symptoms can make it challenging to perform typical everyday tasks, sustain professionalism in the workplace, and maintain healthy relationships.

EMDR is considered to be one of the most effective therapies for treating conditions ranging from PTSD to grief.

Some conditions that I treat with EMDR include:

• post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• anxiety disorders

• phobias

• depression disorders

• obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

• grief

For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than traditional psychotherapy.

WHAT IS EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of therapy by which clinicians are able to reduce high levels of disturbance that an individual develops in connection to a specific traumatic event or series of adverse circumstances. This modality combines traditional psychotherapy with somatic experiencing therapy, thus addressing both cognitions and nervous system reactivity.

How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR decouples the content of the traumatic memory from the disturbing emotions, sensations, symptoms, and beliefs associated with the experience. This is accomplished by using bilateral eye movement to activate the neurobiological processes that occur during the REM phase of sleep, while focusing on the intense physical disturbance and emotion. Through guided repetition, this process reduces or eliminates the emotional charge associated with the traumatic memory. The content of the memory remains but the triggers are neutralized.

Is EMDR Evidence-Based?

EMDR is endorsed as an effective treatment by:

• the American Psychological Association (APA)

• the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

• the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs/Dept. of Defense

• the World Health Organization

the logistics involved in emdr therapy

EMDR sessions are 60 to 90 minutes typically delivered one or two times per week for a total of 6 to 12 sessions. The number of sessions required is determined by the complexity of the trauma and your personal reaction to the therapy. Some individuals benefit from fewer sessions and some from more. Together we will assess your progress and decide when your goal is achieved.

what you can expect in EMDR sessions

We are a team. You are doing the work to break free of the symptoms of trauma; I am guiding your process and providing you with the skills to handle strong emotions. My role is to help you stay tethered to the present while confronting the past. I am with you every step of the way.