EMDR
What is it?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a dynamic therapeutic treatment using the mind and the body's natural ability to heal from past traumatic incidents that may currently impact a person’s current optimal functioning. EMDR combines well-established therapeutic methods including imaginal exposure, mindfulness, cognitive and self-control techniques into a structured treatment plan developed to meet the specific needs of each person. By incorporating verbal, visual, and tactile techniques, EMDR activates the mind, body, and brain in such a way as to rewrite traumatic memories and experiences so that they will no longer be as painful or intrusive into daily life. The technique incorporates neuro-biology, cognitive processing, and psychology. EMDR "reprocessing" combines dual attention to a traumatic memory with back and forth eye movements, and/or bilateral alternating sound or vibrations. The unique combination of methods in EMDR appears to stimulate an intrinsic capacity of the human brain to resolve emotional disturbance and gain adaptive insights in a manner similar to what occurs spontaneously during dreaming (rapid eye movement or REM) sleep. Based on the available research, a number of theorists believe that during EMDR "reprocessing" the dual attention to the traumatic memory and to alternating left-right sensory stimulation triggers an innate "investigatory response" in the brain that leads to adaptive neuro-physiological changes.
How can it help?
EMDR has been shown to be helpful in resolving symptoms caused by traumatic events including intrusive thoughts, panic, phobias, depression, painful sensations, and emotional distress including excessive guilt, anger, grief and fear, recurring nightmares and behavioral symptoms as avoiding formerly enjoyable activities.
Survivors of single incident traumas, multiple traumas, and of childhood abuse have responded positively to EMDR treatment. Victims of crime, combat veterans, and survivors of disasters have all benefited from EMDR treatment. However, depending on the nature of the trauma, the number of sessions required to effectively treat the trauma(s) with EMDR vary. For example, an individual with a single-episode trauma (i.e., a car accident, witnessing a crime) may only need a few EMDR sessions before feeling a remittance of trauma-based anxiety symptoms or distress. People with longer trauma histories over several months or years, may require more time doing EMDR before feeling remittance of symptoms. These are considerations we can discuss together.
It is important to understand that EMDR is not the perfect solution for everyone. While EMDR treatment has helped alleviate a wide range of trauma based symptoms for millions of people around the world, not every person and not every symptom is amenable to treatment with EMDR. If this treatment modality interests you, we can discuss whether or not you might be a good candidate for EMDR treatment. Then it may take one or more EMDR sessions to determine whether or not you will respond positively to EMDR treatment.
What is your training and experience in using EMDR?
I received Level I and Level II training in EMDR in 2006 and 2007 through the EMDR Institute, and have been using it regularly in my psychotherapy practice for a variety of client issues since that time with powerful results. Over the years, I have sought additional consultation from other EMDR clinicians and trained consultants, and participated in additional EMDR trainings to further enhance and refine my skills in this area.
As EMDR is an intense treatment experience, I often combine EMDR treatment with other cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness techniques to equip clients with relaxation/self-soothing skills to use during and between EMDR therapy sessions. I encourage clients who are interested in EMDR to do their own research, separate from my own resources. You have a right to be fully informed about any kind of health treatment you are to receive before consenting to it. Thus, I invite discussions about any of your concerns, questions, skepticism, and information read by you, while vetting EMDR as a possible therapy model for our work together.
For more information, you can examine the following links, and feel free to discuss any of these with me (or any other resources you may have found on your own):
www.emdr.com
www.emdria.org
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/emdr-what-is-it#1
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/eye-movement-desensitization-and-reprocessing-therapy
What is it?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a dynamic therapeutic treatment using the mind and the body's natural ability to heal from past traumatic incidents that may currently impact a person’s current optimal functioning. EMDR combines well-established therapeutic methods including imaginal exposure, mindfulness, cognitive and self-control techniques into a structured treatment plan developed to meet the specific needs of each person. By incorporating verbal, visual, and tactile techniques, EMDR activates the mind, body, and brain in such a way as to rewrite traumatic memories and experiences so that they will no longer be as painful or intrusive into daily life. The technique incorporates neuro-biology, cognitive processing, and psychology. EMDR "reprocessing" combines dual attention to a traumatic memory with back and forth eye movements, and/or bilateral alternating sound or vibrations. The unique combination of methods in EMDR appears to stimulate an intrinsic capacity of the human brain to resolve emotional disturbance and gain adaptive insights in a manner similar to what occurs spontaneously during dreaming (rapid eye movement or REM) sleep. Based on the available research, a number of theorists believe that during EMDR "reprocessing" the dual attention to the traumatic memory and to alternating left-right sensory stimulation triggers an innate "investigatory response" in the brain that leads to adaptive neuro-physiological changes.
How can it help?
EMDR has been shown to be helpful in resolving symptoms caused by traumatic events including intrusive thoughts, panic, phobias, depression, painful sensations, and emotional distress including excessive guilt, anger, grief and fear, recurring nightmares and behavioral symptoms as avoiding formerly enjoyable activities.
Survivors of single incident traumas, multiple traumas, and of childhood abuse have responded positively to EMDR treatment. Victims of crime, combat veterans, and survivors of disasters have all benefited from EMDR treatment. However, depending on the nature of the trauma, the number of sessions required to effectively treat the trauma(s) with EMDR vary. For example, an individual with a single-episode trauma (i.e., a car accident, witnessing a crime) may only need a few EMDR sessions before feeling a remittance of trauma-based anxiety symptoms or distress. People with longer trauma histories over several months or years, may require more time doing EMDR before feeling remittance of symptoms. These are considerations we can discuss together.
It is important to understand that EMDR is not the perfect solution for everyone. While EMDR treatment has helped alleviate a wide range of trauma based symptoms for millions of people around the world, not every person and not every symptom is amenable to treatment with EMDR. If this treatment modality interests you, we can discuss whether or not you might be a good candidate for EMDR treatment. Then it may take one or more EMDR sessions to determine whether or not you will respond positively to EMDR treatment.
What is your training and experience in using EMDR?
I received Level I and Level II training in EMDR in 2006 and 2007 through the EMDR Institute, and have been using it regularly in my psychotherapy practice for a variety of client issues since that time with powerful results. Over the years, I have sought additional consultation from other EMDR clinicians and trained consultants, and participated in additional EMDR trainings to further enhance and refine my skills in this area.
As EMDR is an intense treatment experience, I often combine EMDR treatment with other cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness techniques to equip clients with relaxation/self-soothing skills to use during and between EMDR therapy sessions. I encourage clients who are interested in EMDR to do their own research, separate from my own resources. You have a right to be fully informed about any kind of health treatment you are to receive before consenting to it. Thus, I invite discussions about any of your concerns, questions, skepticism, and information read by you, while vetting EMDR as a possible therapy model for our work together.
For more information, you can examine the following links, and feel free to discuss any of these with me (or any other resources you may have found on your own):
www.emdr.com
www.emdria.org
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/emdr-what-is-it#1
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/eye-movement-desensitization-and-reprocessing-therapy