All About EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR),  is a process of psychotherapy that harnesses the brain's innate processing ability to tolerate and heal from trauma.  EMDR seems to accelerate healing of a wide range of emotional wounds and self-esteem issues related both to past traumatic events and present life conditions. This interactive, standardized approach has been tested with people who are suffering from a wide range of presenting complaints, including loss of a loved one, childhood abuse or neglect, sexual assault or molestation, and exposure to combat and natural disaster.

     The definition of trauma is unique to each individual.  Any experience that makes a person feel they have no control and are powerless to change or escape the situation can create long term changes in the way in which the nervous system responds. Consequently, one may never have experienced what they consider "trauma", but may still feel traumatized in a variety of situations that remind the nervous system of being helpless or out of control. 

     Over a lifetime these daily, habitual feelings may accumulate and eventually result in symptoms of fear, irritability, and a desire to isolate from life to protect the nervous system from such feelings.  The implications of this expanded view of trauma impacts all of us. 

     Many people do not identify trauma as the source of their difficulties because, 1) we do not know what is happening and do not identify the source of our sadness, anger, or forgetfulness with a past traumatic event(s); 2) trauma survivors often do not want to think about the painful experience, mistakenly believing, that suppressing the thoughts, will make the memories and the symptoms go away.  Instead, what seems to happen is that as more situations trigger the painful feelings or memories, one's life becomes more and more limited.

     EMDR is helpful for both the "Big T" traumas and the "little t" traumas of daily, cumulative life.  In both types of trauma we tend to place meaning or a belief about "self" on the experience.  Often that negative belief about "self" is then playing under the surface of our conscious awareness, impacting our sense of self-worth and ability to respond to life in a positive, assertive manner.  EMDR helps to bring the belief to our conscious mind so that we may choose a different belief that is more life affirming and healing. 

     EMDR is capable of a rapid desensitization of traumatic memories, including a change in the way we think about the event and a significant reduction of symptoms such as emotional distress, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and nightmares.  We are then free to create the life we envision, once the trauma blocks have been healed.

     Substantial research supports EMDR therapy for trauma-related disorders.  The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), the Dept of Veterans Affairs and DOD, The American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association have listed EMDR as effective in the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder.  ( See www.emdr.com/efficacy.htm )

     In addition, performance enhancement and healing of habitual fears and insecurities is expanding EMDR treatment.  Helping people live the life of their dreams by alleviating long standing emotional roadblocks. 

     Curious? Wondering if EMDR can help you? 

What is EMDR? 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR integrates elements of many effective psychotherapies in structured protocols that are designed to maximize treatment effects. These include psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, experiential, and body-centered therapies.

EMDR is an information processing therapy and uses an eight phase approach.

During EMDR the client attends to past and present experiences in brief sequential doses while simultaneously focusing on an external stimulus (moving lights, sounds, pulsing vibrations or music). Then the client is instructed to let new material become the focus of the next set of dual attention and personal association is repeated many times in the session.

EMDR Institute, Inc.

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Trauma Resolution   Self Assessment

~I have trouble paying attention and concentrating?

~I often feel touchy or temperamental or I am easily angered?

~I have overreacted when I could have handled things differently?

~I have felt numb or detached, with dulled or flattened feelings?

~I have felt less aware of my surroundings (dazed)?

~I have been told that I said or did something that I don't remember?

~I try to avoid certain people, feelings, or places that make me feel upset?

~I feel jumpy and on edge most of the time?

~I have trouble sleeping?

~I am haunted by thoughts of terrible things that happened in the past (upsetting thoughts, dreams or flashbacks)?

~I have experienced, seen, or had to cope with a life-or-death event or very serious injury?

~I have had to deal with events that threatened my physical and emotional self or those of people I love or care about?

~I have periods of time in my life that I cannot remember?

~I drink or use drugs, overeat or numb out in front of the TV/computer or porn to help me deal with stress or to get through the day or night?

If you have answered "yes" to any of the these questions, EMDR may be helpful to you.

A Personal Note from Tina:

I found EMDR so personally effective, I decided to become trained as an EMDR therapist. I am excited to share the positive effects of this therapy with you