What is EMDR?
EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a form of therapy that is used to treat individuals who have experienced traumatic or disturbing life events. These experiences can leave one feeling anxious, overwhelmed, hyper-vigilant or withdrawn, numb, and shameful. In EMDR therapy, specific memories are targeted in an effort to desensitize uncomfortable sensations and feelings. As the memory becomes reprocessed, new positive thoughts and beliefs about yourself emerge. Using EMDR allows one to remain grounded, open, and able to emotionally self-regulate while processing feelings and sensations.
Who can benefit from EMDR?
EMDR is beneficial for all ages. EMDR is most commonly used for treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and individuals wishing to seek relief from anxiety, panic, and flashbacks. There are also specific EMDR protocols that can be used for eliminating performance anxiety, such as fear of public speaking, and anxiety related to performing artists and athletes. Individuals with substance use disorders can also benefit from EMDR therapy, through targeting triggers leading to relapse.
How does EMDR work?
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EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation (BLS) to help you overcome trauma and psychological distress. BLS can be in the form of eye movements, hand tappers or sound. BLS is used to activate the whole brain to improve communication between the two hemispheres. This helps the brain to restore those distressing memories with less intensity.
How many sessions do I need?
While EMDR is known to be a fast and effective form of therapy, the number of sessions needed varies based on the client and their history. However, current research has found that individuals experience a significant decrease in a wide range of symptoms after 3-4 sessions.
Contact me to discuss if EMDR is right for you.
To learn more about EMDR therapy, visit emdria.org