EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
I utilize a treatment approach called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy developed by Francine Shapiro.
I have found it to be an invaluable tool for helping people resolve issues from the past that are impacting them in the present. EMDR Therapy is a comprehensive, phased treatment approach that has been extensively researched and proven to be effective for the treatment of trauma-based disorders. EMDR therapy is a formal set of protocols and procedures used to “desensitize and reprocess” memories that have been encoded in the brain and body as if “frozen in time” as a result of traumatic experiences.
EMDR is helpful for major traumatic events (Big T’s) such as auto accidents, sudden illness, injury, assault or natural disasters. There are also less intense, but impactful, life experiences that we refer to as “Small t” traumas or adverse childhood experiences. These may include longterm, overwhelming life experiences, such as shaming, humiliation, constant criticism, divorce, bullying or teasing. Experiences like these can accumulate from childhood and over time impact us, or trigger us in adulthood.
EMDR can help people dealing with
- Depression and anxiety
- Sleep disturbance (insomnia, nightmares)
- Intrusive thoughts (flashbacks to the scenes)
- Heightened levels of vigilance – being ‘on guard’ all the time
- Physical arousal such as being jumpy, irritable, and/or aggressive
- Numbing (can’t feel emotions) or emotional outbursts (feel too much)