Release What Feels Stuck
EMDR Therapy
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is an evidence-based form of therapy that helps people process and heal from traumatic experiences, emotional distress, upsetting memories, and other psychological difficulties. It's based on the idea that our brains can heal themselves if given the right tools.
How Can EMDR Therapy Help?
Are you stressed? Anxious? Overwhelmed with worry and fear? Feeling stuck? Perhaps you’ve tried to work through your issues with traditional talk therapy but did not find that entirely successful. Often people try EMDR because traditional therapies haven’t been useful in helping them overcome their symptoms. With EMDR, we’re able to identify and work toward changing limiting beliefs that are keeping you stuck.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
When stressful experiences happen, they get stored in the body and brain. When we get very upset or overwhelmed, the brain and nervous system have difficulty processing the experience as it would normally. As a result, the negative thoughts and feelings get trapped in our nervous system. Since the brain is unable to process the emotions, feelings, and experiences, we suppress them into our unconscious. While we may not recognize the impact the situation or event has had, it still lives in our nervous system and over time, it can manifest in uncomfortable and meddling ways.
EMDR does two things: First, it unlocks the negative memories and emotions stored in the nervous system.
Second, it helps the brain to process the experience successfully. EMDR processes memories, reducing their impact and helping clients to develop coping tools. This is achieved through an approach that addresses the past, present, and future aspects of stored memories.
The Structured Process
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Develop strategies to build safety in the body and soothe strong emotions
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Identify a negative personal belief about yourself associated with a traumatic memory
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Identify a healthier belief about yourself
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Briefly focus on a traumatic memory while also experiencing bilateral stimulation like eye movements, tapping, or audio
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Process a specific memory between 1-5 sessions
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Process a complex history of trauma; this is dependent on the individual and it’s okay if it takes longer
Somatic Therapy does not involve prolonged exposure to distressing memories or detailed descriptions of the trauma.
EMDR Therapy Can Benefits Individuals Struggling With:
Trauma
PTSD
Depression
Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Negative Self-Talk
Emotional Regulation
Substance Use
Eating Disorders
Phobias
Chronic Illness
Chronic Pain
Low Self-Esteem
