About EMDR therapy
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 (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, they may not be processed without help. 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 feelings of overwhelm, 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.”
How is EMDR different from other therapies?
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue, or homework between sessions. EMDR, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. Part of the therapy includes alternating eye movements, sounds, or taps. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.
Preparing for EMDR
Before we begin processing difficult memories, we build resources to help you feel prepared to do the work. We need to begin by building your EMDR tool kit.
Two tools I commonly use are a Peaceful Place, an imagined space you can access to help your mind and body move toward comfort, security, and regulation, and a Container, a secure mental space where difficult thoughts, memories, emotions, or unfinished material can be temporarily set aside until you're ready to return to them.
And because your brain is your brain, these don't have to look like anyone else's. Your peaceful place doesn't even have to be possible, and your container can be anything your mind believes will work.
I've created a step-by-step guide to help you build, personalize, troubleshoot, and practice both tools. Click the button below to access a detailed walkthrough of how to build yours.
Experiencing EMDR therapy
After the therapist and client agree that EMDR therapy is a good fit, and begin to work together, the client will be asked to focus on a specific event. Attention will be given to a negative image, belief, and body feeling related to this event, and then to a positive belief that would indicate the issue was resolved. While the client focuses on the upsetting event, the therapist will begin sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps. The client will be guided to notice what comes to mind after each set. They may experience shifts in insight or changes in images, feelings, or beliefs regarding the event. The client has full control to stop the therapist at any point, if needed. The sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps are repeated until the event becomes less disturbing.
A typical EMDR therapy session lasts from 60-90 minutes. EMDR therapy may be used within a standard talking therapy, as an adjunctive therapy with a separate therapist, or as a treatment all by itself.
Who can benefit from EMDR therapy?
EMDR therapy helps children and adults - all ages. Therapists use EMDR with a wide range of challenges:
Performance anxiety
Personality disorders
PTSD and other trauma and stress related issues
Sexual assault
Sleep disturbance
Substance abuse and addiction
Violence and abuse
Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
Chronic Illness and medical issues
Depression and bipolar disorders
Dissociative disorders
Eating disorders
Grief and loss
Pain
EMDR therapy is recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD by:
For more information regarding these organizational guidelines and reviews on EMDR therapy, click here.
*Information above provided by emdria.org
EMDR Sessions are the same cost as individual counseling sessions,
$125 per 50-minute session.
$95 per 50-minute session for Veterans & First Responders
(These prices begin August 1st, 2023)
