EMDR therapy is a phased and focused approach to treating traumatic and other emotionally painful symptoms. Treatment is achieved by reconnecting the client in a safe and measured way to the images, self-thoughts, emotions, and body sensations associated with the trauma and allowing the natural healing powers of the brain to move toward adaptive resolution.

Now lets try to give a simple explanation about EMDR:

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. It is an interactive therapy technique that has been shown to help relieve psychological stress. With EMDR, the belief is that our emotions are very much related to our physical state. Normally our brains tend to process and store our memory with (all the parts included) correctly. Our memories tend to include our thoughts, emotions, senses, and body sensations at the time the memory happens. Different Stimuli, later on, may trigger our memories of the events. For example, a song we hear on the radio can take us back to a pleasant memory, or a high school dance or a smell of chocolate muffins could trigger our memory of Granny baking a cake. In these two examples, our senses of smell or sound have triggered good and pleasant memory. 

During a traumatic event or an unpleasant one, our brain processes and stores the memory incorrectly. In other words, the components of the event/ memory  ( the image, emotions, body sensation, sense ) were processed and stored incorrectly. So when a stimulus triggers the memory, the past traumatic memory could feel very present. Sometimes related or unrelated stimuli can trigger an episode leading us to react and experience what we experienced during the trauma. In that situation, the triggered trauma may feel very present and very real. Our brain may seem to think that the past disturbing event is happening right now!

 EMDR has shown to help…

Through a guided and measured technique, the memory is processed in a safe place and in a way that leads to a peaceful resolution. EMDR seems to “correct” the “mis- processing” and  “mis-storage” of the painful memories. In doing so, the negative memory associated with the traumatic event loses its charge. So the individual can end up reacting to the stimuli in “the present” without “the painful past” interfering.  Findings show that EMDR can be effective with a host of disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, panic disorders, and more..

Our certified have seen EMDR being effective with different individuals and different issues. The collaboration between the therapist and the client seems to help speed up the process of healing. If you believe that EMDR is the option for treatment you would like to explore, contact us. During our consultation, we can see what would be the best option for you. We are looking forward to hearing from you!