What is EMDR?

EMDR

(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

EMDR is an highly researched, supported, and structured model of Psychotherapeutic treatment that works with Body Sensations, Memories, Core Self Beliefs, and Emotions to remove the otherwise permanent emotional, somatic and cognitive remains of painful experiences from your past.

Immediate Benefits of EMDR Include:

• Reduction of fear

• Initial Issues discussed becomes less powerful

• Memories of childhood and where you grew up become more vivid

• Seemingly random Memories will re-appear

• Bothersome and traumatic flashbacks may end

• Possible reduction in obsessiveness

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​EMDR therapy has proven to be effective in treating trauma and PTSD. It may also be able to help treat other mental conditions like anxiety, depression, and panic disorders. Some people may prefer this treatment to prescription medications, which can have unexpected side effects. Others may find that EMDR therapy strengthens the effectiveness of their medications. One study, funded by the HMO kaiser Permanente, found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims no longer were diagnosed with PTSD after only six 50-minute sessions. In another study, 77% of combat veterans were free of PTSD in 12 sessions. There has been so much research on EMDR therapy that it is now recognized as an effective form of treatment for trauma and other disturbing experiences by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization and the Department of Defense. Given the worldwide recognition as an effective treatment of trauma, you can easily see how EMDR therapy would be effective in treating the "everyday" memories that are the reason people have low self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness, and all the myriad problems that bring them
to for therapy.

What to Know before you begin receiving EMDR Therapy:

EMDR therapy is considered to be safe, with many fewer side effects than those of prescription medications. That said, there are some side effects that you may experience. EMDR therapy causes a heightened awareness of thinking which does not end immediately when a session does. This can cause light-headedness. It can also cause vivid, realistic dreams. It often takes several sessions to treat PTSD with EMDR therapy. This means that it doesn't work overnight.The beginning of therapy may be exceptionally triggering to people
starting to deal with traumatic events, specifically because of the heightened focus. While the therapy will likely be effective in the long run, it may be emotionally stressful to move through the course of treatment.

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