EMDR Therapy: Heal and Reclaim Your Life

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is a highly effective technique for treating Trauma, Anxiety, PTSD, and more. EMDR alleviates your distress associated with traumatic memories. EMDR is evidence-based and has been extensively researched.

Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR is evidence-based, has been extensively researched and recognized as an effective treatment.

EMDR is often used with other Treatment Modalities to achieve the maximum benefit.

• EMDR Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): EMDR is particularly effective in treating PTSD, offering hope and relief if you're experiencing the condition due to traumatic events such as abuse, combat, accidents, natural disasters, loss, or other life-threatening experiences.
  
  
• EMDR Therapy for Anxiety Disorders:
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Helps address persistent worry and anxiety.
  • Panic Disorder: Assists in processing root causes and reducing emotional triggers.
  • Social Anxiety: Targets traumatic memories related to feelings of embarrassment, judgment, or rejection.
• EMDR Therapy for Depression: EMDR may be helpful in cases where depressive symptoms are rooted in unresolved past traumas or negative self-beliefs.
• Phobias and Specific Fears: EMDR can reduce the emotional intensity of fears (e.g., fear of flying, heights, or public speaking) by addressing traumatic or distressing events responsible for the phobia.
• Attachment Issues and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD): EMDR is effective if you have experienced chronic or developmental Trauma, such as neglect, emotional or physical abuse, or unstable relationships during childhood.

• Grief and Loss: EMDR can help you process the traumatic aspects of a loss, such as sudden or unexpected deaths, and resolve feelings of guilt or regret.
• Addictions and Substance Use Disorders: EMDR can target underlying traumas or emotional pain driving addictive behaviors.
• Chronic Pain and Somatic Symptoms: Conditions like headaches, fibromyalgia, and other pain syndromes exacerbated or triggered by emotional Trauma can sometimes benefit from EMDR.
• Eating Disorders: EMDR can address the emotional and traumatic origins of disordered eating and body image issues.
• Stress and Adjustment Disorders: EMDR may assist you if you're struggling to adapt to traumatic life changes or high levels of stress.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): When obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors stem from Trauma, EMDR can help you process triggering events and reduce symptoms.
• Low Self-Esteem and Negative Core Beliefs: EMDR is effective in reshaping negative self-perceptions (e.g., "I am unworthy," "I'm not good enough") that are often rooted in earlier life experiences.

Watch Sandra Bullock's Interview  Regarding EMDR

Here's a simplified way to understand how EMDR Therapy helps you.

Before EMDR: The memory is like a loud, scary movie scene that keeps repeating in your head.

During EMDR: Eye movements or tapping help your brain "rewind" and "reprocess" the scene, reducing the volume and its scariness.

After EMDR: The memory is still there, but it's like a regular movie scene now – you can remember it without feeling overwhelmed by fear or sadness.

Important to remember: EMDR Reprocessing doesn't erase the memory. EMDR helps your brain process it more healthily, so it doesn't cause as much distress.

Your therapist guides you to reframe negative beliefs and develop more adaptive coping strategies.

Imagine your brain like a filing cabinet. When you experience something traumatic, that memory gets filed incorrectly, maybe in the "danger" or "emergency" section. Every time you think about it, your brain reacts as if the danger is happening right now, causing stress.

EMDR reprocessing is like refiling that memory in the correct place, the "past events" section. This helps your brain understand that the danger is over and you're safe now. Here's how it works:

Focus on the memory: You bring the upsetting memory to mind, along with any bad feelings, thoughts, and body sensations connected to it.

Do the eye movements (or taps): While focusing on the memory, you follow the therapist's fingers moving back and forth across your vision, or they might tap your hands or shoulders. This is the Bilateral Stimulation.

Let your brain do its thing: Eye movements or tapping seem to help your brain process the memory in a new way. It's like your brain is returning to the original event and saying, "Okay, that happened, but it's over now."

New connections: As you reprocess the memory, you might have new thoughts and insights about what happened. For example, someone who felt responsible for a car accident might realize it wasn't their fault.

1. Initial Consultation: During your first session, we will discuss your emotional concerns and treatment goals.
2. Preparation: You will learn about EMDR and how the process works to ensure you feel comfortable and safe.
3. Assessment: We will identify specific memories and triggers to target during the sessions.
4. Desensitization: Through guided eye movements, we will help you process distressing memories.

5. Installation: Positive beliefs will be reinforced to replace negative thoughts.
6. Body Scan: This phase helps identify any lingering physical tension related to the trauma.
7. Closure: Each session concludes with a relaxation technique to ensure you feel grounded.
8. Re-evaluation: We will check in on your progress in subsequent sessions.

ACRS EMDR Therapists