EMDR
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is a powerful, evidence based therapy that helps people process and heal from distressing, traumatic or overwhelming experiences.
If you feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, panic, flashbacks, feeling triggered by situations, or emotional overwhelm, particularly when you know something is in the past but it still feels present, EMDR helps your brain to fully process these experiences so they no longer hold the same intensity or impact you in the same way.
EMDR incorporates elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness, psychodynamic theory and neuroscience.
How does it work?
Our brains have a natural ability to process experiences so we can move forward, however, traumatic experiences (single incident or ongoing) are overwhelming to our system, so they become "stuck", meaning they do not fully get processed.
When this happens, reminders in the present can trigger the same emotions, thoughts and body sensations as the original experience. In addition, newer experiences pile onto to previous trauma experiences and reinforce the negative experience and associated thoughts and feelings.
EMDR can help process these experience and get you "unstuck" by activating the brain’s natural healing ability using bilateral stimulation (typically in the form of guided eye movements)
Through this process, the memories feel less distressing, we can become less preuccopied with the past, and new, more helpful beliefs and perspectives can emerge, allowing us to be more present and engaged with life.
EMDR may be helpful if you:
- Feel triggered by past experiences
- Struggle with anxiety, panic, or feeling emotionally overwhelmed
- Notice patterns that are hard to change
- Experience shame, self-doubt, and negative self-talk
- Feel stuck despite talking through past experiences, challenges and patterns
What can EMDR treat?
- Trauma and PTSD
- Single incident and reoccurring
- Anxiety
- Social anxiety
- General anxiety
- Phobias
- Panic attacks
- Relationship anxiety
- Depression
- Self-worth and shame
What does the process involve?
We begin by getting to know you; understanding your current challenges, identifying your goals and exploring your history.
Before starting EMDR processing, we will ensure that you have strengths and resources to help you regulate and cope with any difficult emotions that may arise during EMDR.
When you're ready, together we will identify the specific relevant past experiences and memories that are connected to your current distress, and a roadmad to process these experiences will be co-created.
As we begin EMDR processing, I will guide you through structured steps using bilateral stimulation (typically guided eye movements), with check-ins on what you are experiencing and how you are experiencing shifts in the memory. Over time, the memory becomes less distressing, and new perspective and beliefs about yourself are instilled.
The length of the process varies depending on the individual, history, depth of trauma, and amount of events being processed. Some memories may be reprocessed within a single session, while others may take several to reprocess. EMDR can be applied to both single incident past painful experiences as well as recurring and complex.
Depending on your current goals, challenges and history, EMDR may be incorporated into regular individual counselling sessions that also involve talk therapy and other modalities, or can be used as a stand-alone therapy.
Is EMDR right for me?
EMDR can be especially helpful if you feel as though you've done a lot of thinking or talking about your experiences, but are still feeling stuck or emotionally impacted by them.
There are also times when it may be important to focus on stability and building resources before beginning EMDR processing. We can explore together whether EMDR feels like a good fit for you right now.
Curious if EMDR might be right for you? You're welcome to book a free 15-minute consultation to ask questions and see if this approach feels like a good fit.