What is EMDR?
“The past affects the present even without our being aware of it.” - Francine Shapiro
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is a very effective treatment modality and is something I am extremely grateful to be certified in. I use it in my own private practice and I have seen it help so many of my clients make huge steps forward in their healing.
What is EMDR?
-EMDR is a type of therapy that uses bilateral stimulation (BLS) to resemble REM sleep (which is the state of sleep where dreaming occurs, helps make sense of events that occurred that day, and integrates the information learned into our memory) in order to address - and change - unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are rooted in traumatic and/or distressing experiences.
What is bilateral stimulation?
-BLS is stimulating both sides of the body while thinking about a specific event (past, present, or future), such as through watching a light go from side to side or alternately tapping on each of your knees, which then stimulates both sides of the brain.
How is this helpful in treating trauma?
-According to Bessel van der Kolk, “EMDR loosens up something in the mind/brain that gives people rapid access to loosely associated memories and images from their past. This seems to help them put the traumatic experience into a larger context or perspective.” In other words, the traumatic memory becomes unstuck, EMDR helps to reduce or eliminate the emotional charge related to the traumatic memory, and a person is able to truly see that the event/danger is over.
Who would benefit from EMDR?
-Anyone! EMDR is not just for ‘big T’ traumas, like death or natural disasters. It is also helpful in addressing:
-Bullying
-Neglect
-Abuse
-Attachment trauma
-Eating disorders
-Substance use disorders
-Anxiety
-Depression
-OCD
-Grief
-Phobias
-Pain
-Birth and perinatal trauma, etc.
If you feel you would benefit from EMDR, please check out the practitioner directory on https://www.emdria.org/find-a-therapist/ to find a therapist near you.
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