EMDR

If we let it, trauma has the power to rob our lives of vitality and destroy it. However, we can also use it for powerful self-renewal and transformation. -Peter Levine

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This is an evidence-based therapy that was developed to help deal with traumatic memories. This type of treatment has been particularly beneficial to people living with trauma, including PTSD. EMDR has also shown to help with the following:

Generalized anxiety
Social anxiety
Panic attacks
Separation anxiety
Self-esteem issues
Phobias/fears
Bullying
Social embarrassment
Public speaking anxiety
Work-related/school stress
Networking anxiety
Chronic pain
Nightmares

Most people will experience trauma in their lifetime whether it’s a car accident, abuse or neglect, the sudden death of a loved one, a violent criminal act, exposure to the violence of war, or a natural disaster. For children, trauma can be more subtle and have great impact on the behavioral and emotional wellbeing.

While many people can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends and bounce back with resiliency, others may discover effects of lasting trauma, which can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or post-traumatic stress far after the event has passed.

In these circumstances, the support, guidance and assistance of a therapist is fundamental to healing from trauma.

What are the benefits of EMDR for children?

EMDR can be especially helpful for children, who may not be able to explore their anxiety or strong emotions with as much complexity as an adult could, but who still needs help healing from anxiety, low self-esteem, or phobias. Plus, what may seem like a non-traumatic event for an adult (someone being mean at school, a medical procedure, a scary movie, etc.) can feel very traumatic for a child who might be experiencing that extreme emotion for the first time.

EMDR can give children space to process and heal from their distress without putting pressure on them to articulate at length why they are feeling what they are feeling. EMDR can be combined with other therapies such as play therapy, sand tray therapy, and expressive arts which makes it even more powerful for kids.

In addition, the techniques that you will learn during EMDR treatment can be applied to future scenarios, leaving them better equipped to deal with things as they come up.

What does the EMDR process look like?

EMDR is an 8-phase treatment. EMDR is focused on guiding your brain to heal its own psychological injuries. It goes like this:

Phase 1: History taking

In this phase, we will develop a treatment plan for you or your child and explore past events that may be contributing to the current challenges.

Phase 2: Preparation

This is arguably one of the most important parts of the EMDR process. We will work on creating safety and trust in the therapeutic relationship in addition to creating a coping skills toolbox to help manage feelings outside of session.

Phase 3: Assessment

This stage assesses readiness for the next stage of therapy while also determining a starting point for treatment.

Phase 4: Desensitization

This phase includes “bilateral stimulation” which means both sides of the brain are activated to help digest the difficult memory. This can be done with back and forth eye movements, tapping, or a machine that delivers gentle pulses (similar to the vibration on a phone).

Phase 5: Installation

We work to “install” more positive beliefs about yourself in this phase.

Phase 6: Body scan

This phase focuses on any physical symptoms that remain in the body- remember, our issues our in our tissues!

Phase 7: Closure

We’ll create a plan of what relaxation skills to use in between sessions.

Phase 8: Reevaluation

We’ll be assessing any additional memories to use in EMDR and evaluating how EMDR is feeling for you!

In short, EMDR aims to heal psychological trauma the same way our body can heal from physical trauma. Take this example from the EMDR institute:

“When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes.”

While this is a general overview of what to expect in EMDR therapy, keep in mind that each session and the length it will take will look a little different for everyone. When we go over your history I’ll be able to determine what will work best for you and your unique needs.

Contact me today so we can schedule an appointment to see if EMDR might help you release what no longer serves you.

I am fully certified in EMDR, specializing in using EMDR with children combining play and expressive arts techniques.

The Victims Compensation Assistance Program offers reimbursement for counseling fees if you were the victim of a crime. Click here to learn more about the program.

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