EMDR therapy helps get to the root problem of the anxiety symptoms that you are experiencing and helps are brain heal from the trauma which in turn limits that symptom you experience on a regular basis.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based, eight-stage psychotherapy method using bilateral stimulation to help people recover from trauma as well as other distressing life events. Eye movements are typically used, but sometimes tapping or noise will be used depending on the client’s needs. This method focuses primarily on the mind/body connection by addressing distressing memories that the client still feels stuck or frozen in.

During a traumatic incident (referred to as a “target” in EMDR), different parts of the brain usually communicate with each other, allowing the person to properly process and resolve the incident, which also affects how the person remembers the incident. However, when this doesn’t happen, the person can become “frozen in time” and they aren’t able to reprocess the memory properly, leaving them with distressing emotional and physical associations with the memory. This is where EMDR can help.

EMDR is different from traditional talk therapy.

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It can be used by itself or in addition to traditional talk therapy. EMDR allows the client to address traumatic memories without having to relive the memory or immerse themselves in the memory. Instead, the client is asked to use a brief clip or snapshot that represents the worst part of the memory. While the therapist guides the client through the stages, the client is essentially in control, using verbal and/or non-verbal ways to communicate when they need to stop or take a break. It is important to note that the memory is still present after successful reprocessing, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the memory is resolved.

Who can benefit from EMDR therapy?

EMDR therapy helps children and adults of all ages. Therapists use EMDR therapy to address a wide range of challenges:

• Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
• Chronic Illness and medical issues
• Depression and bipolar disorders
• Dissociative disorders

• Eating disorders
• Grief and loss
• Pain
• Performance anxiety
• Personality disorders
• PTSD and other trauma and stress-related issues

• Sexual assault
• Sleep disturbance
• Substance abuse and addiction
• Violence and abuse

EMDR is exceptional in that the client does not have to tell the whole story in detail and is not required to relive the memory. EMDR can be very empowering for the client. Many therapists, especially therapists who take a strength-based approach with their clients, love EMDR because the client is doing the most important part of the work while an expert therapist guides the process. Essentially, the client’s brain is healing itself.

The American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs/Dept. of Defense, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the World Health Organization among many other national and international organizations recognize EMDR therapy as an effective treatment.

It can be difficult to reach out but can be the first step in your path to your healing.

I am excited to help you on your journey to healing and you living your best life.

Questions? Get in touch with me for a session today!