Trauma Recovery/EMDR

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) is a form of therapy used to treat the effects of acute or chronic psychological trauma. When a disturbing event is experienced, it can become locked in the nervous system with the original picture, sounds, thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. This disturbance is stored in the brain and the body in an isolated memory network preventing learning of new material from taking place. Old material just keeps getting triggered over and over again and individuals can end up feeling “stuck” emotionally. The goal of EMDR is to bring about emotional healing by using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, or tones) to clear out dysfunctionally stored material and negative core beliefs about self. This allows individuals to gain insight about themselves and to respond more adaptively in current settings and relationships. For this reason, EMDR may help to resolve problems that have affected a person for decades.

EMDR may be an appropriate treatment for individuals that have experienced childhood physical, sexual, or emotional abuse; childhood neglect and lack of attachment; crime or domestic violence; military combat; sudden death or loss; phobias; depression; anxiety; and low self-esteem. After a thorough assessment by a trained EMDR therapist, a decision can be made as to whether EMDR is an appropriate course of treatment for you.