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EMDR THERAPY

EMDR is a therapeutic approach that recognizes that this lasting negative impact does not mean you are damaged. Instead, it simply means that the experience is stored in the wrong form of memory, leaving you stuck and unable to move forward in an integrated and healthy way.

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Through EMDR, you can feel at peace with the past, empowered in the present, and able to make more desirable choices for the future.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a fairly new, nontraditional type of psychotherapy. It's growing in popularity, particularly for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD often occurs after experiences such as military combat, physical assault, rape, or car accidents.

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At first glance, EMDR appears to approach psychological issues in an unusual way. It does not rely on talk therapy or medications. Instead, EMDR uses a patient's own rapid, rhythmic eye movements. These eye movements dampen the power of emotionally charged memories of past traumatic events.

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WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

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An EMDR treatment session can last up to 90 minutes. Your therapist will move their fingers back and forth in front of your face and ask you to follow these hand motions with your eyes. At the same time, the EMDR therapist will have you recall a disturbing event. This will include the emotions and body sensations that go along with it.

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Gradually, the therapist will guide you to shift your thoughts to more pleasant ones. Some therapists use alternatives to finger movements, such as hand or toe tapping or musical tones.

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People who use the technique argue that EMDR can weaken the effect of negative emotions. Before and after each EMDR treatment, your therapist will ask you to rate your level of distress. The hope is that your disturbing memories will become less disabling.

Although most research into EMDR has examined its use in people with PTSD, EMDR is sometimes used experimentally to treat many other psychological problems.

These problems include...

  • Addictions
  • Panic Attacks
  • Eating Disorders
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