What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is an approach to therapy, created by Dr. Francine Shapiro, that uses bilateral stimulation (BLS) to help the brain process memories (conscious or unconscious), such as past traumatic events or negative beliefs that have not been fully processed – meaning there is still an emotional charge/trigger to them. EMDR does this by activating the neural networks through BLS to reintegrate those memories in a different way in the brain so they don’t effect us the same way.
Click here to take a look at this video that explains more about what happens in the brain during EMDR.
EMDR gets to the root of what may be causing some disturbance in your system by accessing earliest memories that we are not always conscious of. Originally used for healing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), EMDR has become an evidence-based treatment approach for a wide variety of mental health or life concerns such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, fears/phobias, and addiction to name a few.
Bilateral stimulation in EMDR is often in the form of eye movements although other forms of BLS can also be used such as butterfly taps, knee taps, using sound, drawing. You can learn more about EMDR here.
There are 8 Phases of EMDR. The first 2 phases are part of any therapy approach which includes developing a trusting relationship with your therapist, getting to know your story and the stresses or blocks you are facing in life, and establishing coping strategies for when you feel more distress or discomfort.
Phases 3 – 6 target your presenting concern and goes into BLS to process any negative beliefs that stem from that concern.
Phase 7 is closure – each EMDR session will close with a calm, grounding exercise.
Phase 8 ensures the present target/concern is fully processed.
If you would like to schedule a free consult call to see if this is an approach you would like to try, click the ‘Contact Me’ button.
- 60 minute session – $145
- 90 minute session – $200
Check out these videos to learn more about EMDR:
How EMDR Psychotherapy Works in the Brain
What is EMDR (a child friend explanation)– includes description of the 8 phases of EMDR.
Research on EMDR:
