EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based brief structured therapeutic approach that helps your brain heal naturally from distressing memories or events. EMDR is primarily used in trauma recovery.


What is EMDR?

EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal effectively and relatively quickly from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of challenging or disturbing life experiences.

Studies have shown that EMDR therapy helps people with severe emotional pain or problems such as PTSD symptoms, phobias, debilitating anxiety, and other reactions that are deeply felt and ingrained.

While therapy is a process, EMDR therapy has demonstrated in countless studies that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma if “blocks” are addressed using this innovative technique.

EMDR approaches healing with the theory that the brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward health.

It follows that if the system is blocked or a memory is unprocessed, EMDR can help the brain shift that state or "block" and help the brain move towards integration, alleviating negative symptoms. Using detailed protocols and procedures, the EMDR clinician can help clients activate their natural healing processes.

The World Health Organization, American Psychiatric Association, the Department of Defense, and many private insurance companies all point to EMDR as a highly rated evidence-based therapeutic model.

To read more, check out www.emdria.org


How is EMDR used in therapy?

EMDR techniques can be woven into your existing psychotherapy sessions, or used as a stand alone treatment to address distressing, repetitive or traumatic memories and events.

You can also continue to see your existing therapist, and conjointly work short-term with a separate EMDR specialist who will collaborate with your regular therapist for treatment of a specific issue.

EMDR helps with Phobias, OCD, Anxiety (ruminations, repetitive thoughts, performance anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks), Chronic Illness, Depression, Dissociative experience, Eating Disorders, Grief and Loss, Low Self-esteem, Pain, PTSD, Stress-related issues, Sexual issues, Sleep disturbance, Substance abuse and addiction

 
 

EMDR is an evidence-based intervention for treating a wide range of issues like:

  • Phobias

  • OCD

  • Ruminations, repetitive thoughts

  • Anxiety

  • Panic attacks

  • Chronic Illness

  • Depression

  • Dissociative experience

  • Eating Disorders

  • Grief and Loss

  • Low Self-esteem

  • Pain

  • Performance Anxiety

  • Social Anxiety

  • PTSD

  • Stress-related issues

  • Sexual issues

  • Sleep disturbance

  • Substance abuse and addiction