Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched and effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.
Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, sometimes our brains can get stuck.
Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create overwhelming feelings of being back in that moment, or of being “frozen in time.” EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.
EMDR therapy has been effectively utilized to address a wide range of challenges including:
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
- Chronic Illness and medical issues
- Depression and bipolar disorders
- Dissociative disorders
- Eating disorders
- Grief and loss
- Pain
- Performance anxiety
- Personality disorders
- PTSD and other trauma and stress-related issues
- Sexual assault
- Sleep disturbance
- Substance abuse and addiction
- Violence and abuse
EMDR therapy can be used alone or in conjunction with other evidence-based practices such as DBT and CBT as part of a comprehensive holistic treatment plan.
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation today to learn more about how EMDR can help you to reach your goals and unlock your highest potential!
*Due to COVID-19, all sessions will be conducted via telehealth only until further notice.
