What is EMDR?

One of the therapy approaches we offer is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR. EMDR can help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences or distressing memories. The eye movement in EMDR is similar to the REM sleep stage, where our eyes dart rapidly and we often dream. REM sleep helps us to consolidate memories and process emotional experiences. The creator of EMDR built on this natural process to help people process memories and experiences.

The way EMDR works is through bilateral stimulation, at a speed that can impact the association between difficult memories and intense emotions. The bilateral stimulation can be through eye movements, or tapping, or sound using headphones, or hand stimulation using buzzies.

Our psychotherapist Marlene, would start your sessions together in the usual way, with a thorough assessment and treatment plan, and then she would share some grounding skills to help you stay connected to your body. Then she would ask you to choose a target memory; what is the negative belief you have about yourself from that target memory; what would you rather believe about yourself. Marlene would work with you to measure how disturbing the memory is for you, and how much you believe the new positive thought. Then you would start the bilateral stimulation. Marlene checks in after every set of stimulation to see what came up for you, and then you continue until the memory changes in intensity, and you begin to believe the positive cognition.

EMDR has been effective in treating PTSD, as well as anxiety and panic attacks, depression, phobias, grief, addictions and low self esteem among others. It can be very empowering to experience the changes in intensity towards past memories, until they feel neutral. If you are interested in learning more about EMDR you can book an appointment with Marlene here at the clinic.