What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and is a well-established form of psychotherapy supported by decades of scientific research.  EMDR specifically helps people recover from physical and emotional trauma and is especially effective in relieving the symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders. 

When we experience a physical or emotional trauma, we often respond with our natural “fight, flight, freeze, or fawn” stress response.  Although our brains have an organic way of processing these experiences (some people believe this happens in REM sleep), sometimes these experiences aren’t fully processed. They remain “stuck.”  We may then find ourselves easily triggered, ruminating, and feeling anxious and overwhelmed. EMDR therapy helps people process these memories and resume the natural healing process.

Who Can Benefit From EMDR?

EMDR therapy can help children and adults struggling with a variety of life challenges including:

How Does EMDR Therapy Work?

If we determine that EMDR is appropriate, I will guide you through the eight phases of EMDR therapy. I will ask you to bring attention to the negative images, beliefs, and body sensations connected with a painful event.  I will also ask you to find a positive belief that will show that the difficult feelings associated with the event have been resolved.  I will assist you as you begin sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps as you process the event.  Clients often quickly notice changes in feelings, insights, and beliefs.   

EMDR has been recognized as an effective treatment by the American Psychiatric Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the World Health Organization.

If you are interested in EMDR please call, send an email, or schedule a free 15 minute consultation

  • Violence and Abuse

  • Sleep Disturbance

  • Chronic Pain

  • Grief and Loss

  • Performance Anxiety

  • Personality Disorders

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Anger

  • Traumatic Experiences

  • Attachment Disorder

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Social Phobias