Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy
"We see with our brains, not with our eyes."
- Norman Doidge
EMDR in a nutshell
As we encounter situations, our brains learn what to focus on and remember. However, after stressful events, our brain may learn to focus on the wrong details of a situation leading to additional distress and impulsivity. EMDR is a method of therapy to help individuals overcome trauma and retrain their brains to view all details of the world.
Therapists first work with clients to develop mindfulness so the client may be aware of the effect these situations have on their bodies. Sessions begin by having the client create a timeline of all the stressful events they have encountered. The client is then asked to rate these events by how viscerally distressing they are to them on a scale of one through ten. As the client and clinician move through the client's trauma timeline, they connect memories to information they may have forgotten as their brain focuses on the "wrong" detail for interpretation. During EMDR, the therapist will stop the process and check in throughout, but the client does not have to describe the situation to the therapist. At the end of the EMDR process, the client should not feel distressed when thinking about the memories on their trauma timeline and should feel they interpret situations more cohesively. The goal of EMDR is for the brain to resume its natural healing process.
Check out the video below to learn more about EMDR!
How long is EMDR?
Sessions are typically 60 to 90 minutes long, but the amount of sessions required is person-dependent. Some clients opt for an intensive day-long EMDR session to "speed up" the process. It is important to remember that EMDR continues to work even after you leave the therapy session as your brain interprets the world in this new way.
Click on a clinician below to access the necessary paperwork and schedule an intake appointment.
