EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidenced-based therapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that result from disturbing life experiences. These experiences can become stored in our brains in a maladaptive way, and have lasting negative effects that interfere with the way we see ourselves, and the way we relate to others. This can leave us with psychological and physiological symptoms that impact our daily lives.
EMDR follows a treatment protocol, which includes bi-lateral stimulation to help access the memories you want to target in a safe environment. During EMDR, information processing is enhanced and new associations are made between the distressing information and new information. The result is diminished emotional distress, and new insights, as well as new feelings and perspectives about the memories. The goal of EMDR therapy is to leave you with the emotions, understanding, and perspectives that will lead to healthy beliefs, behaviors, and interactions. It's important to note that EMDR does not erase memories, but rather takes the "emotional charge" out of something that once cause suffering.
Together, we can assess if this is a suitable approach for you. EMDR can bring up some distress during and in-between sessions, so it's important to make sure you have resources outside of sessions to help support you during the process.