EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – a type of therapy that has been backed by years of research. In a sense, EMDR is likened to an awakened form of REM sleep. The concept is that disturbing memories can be stored in the mind and body. Through the process of EMDR, these memories can be worked through so that they are no longer disturbing. EMDR does not remove memories, but instead allows the client to retain the information that they need to learn from the experience and move forward in their life.
WHAT DOES EMDR HELP WITH?
EMDR can lead to a sense of relief and freedom from many issues. Some of these include:
- TRAUMATIC MEMORIES
- ANXIETY, PANIC SYMPTOMS, STRESS
- GRIEF AND LOSS
- COMPULSIVE BEHAVIORS (IE. GAMBLING, SHOPPING, OVER-EATING, SMOKING, ETC.)
- LOW SELF-ESTEEM
- PHOBIAS
- RECENT TRAUMATIC EVENTS (IE. CAR ACCIDENT, SURGERY, ETC.)
- PERFORMANCE ANXIETY
WHAT IS AN EMDR SESSION LIKE?
During an EMDR session, the therapist works with the client to identify a specific memory or event that has been causing fear, anxiety and/or a sense of being stuck in the past. Next, the therapist helps the client identify negative beliefs that the event has caused and identifies with the client a desired positive belief. Next steps involve identifying levels of disturbance, sensations in the body and emotions brought up by the memory. Then, while holding all the information, the client is instructed to either move their eyes in a back and forth manner, or hold a small, simple device that causes bilateral stimulation of the brain. Sets of movements or bilateral stimulation are done until the client finds the memory to have lost it’s disturbance level. Another goal is to reach a point in which the client can truly feel that “It’s over … I am safe.” or “I did the best I could”. Each client will process information differently. The number of sessions needed varies dependent on the person’s history. Sessions can last between 60-90 minutes long . During video therapy sessions, I am using a platform called Remotemdr.com which provides the bilateral stimulation through eye movements, bilateral sounds, and if desired, a pulser set can be purchased to integrate the tactile sensations.
Mina is a Certified EMDR therapist and is continually training in the most recent advancements that make EMDR such a powerful healing tool.
