What is emdr therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a scientifically validated approach to trauma treatment. EMDR uses your brain’s natural processing to help reprocess overwhelming and distressing life events. EMDR helps the brain to process these memories and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the flight, fight or freeze response from the original event is resolved. EMDR uses rapid sets of eye movements or tapping (bilateral stimulation) to help update experiences like what happens during sleep. When individuals sleep, they alternate between regular sleep and rapid eye movement. This sleep pattern helps to process distressing things. The alternating sets of eye movements or tapping and brief reports about what is noticed, helps update memories to a healthier present perspective.
EMDR Therapy can help with processing:
· Childhood trauma
· Sexual trauma
· Anxiety and panic
· Grief and loss
· Relationship changes such as divorce
· Medical trauma
· Prenatal fears such as tokophobia (fear of childbirth)
· Birth trauma
In the beginning of EMDR, we will focus on your ability to regulate your emotions, develop positive beliefs, and realize your strengths. Then, we will process any overwhelming and distressing events. We will work together to identify your needs and develop a plan to help you achieve your individual goals.