EMDR Therapy
You might have heard of EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is not only one of the most popular and well know types of trauma therapy, but also one of the most thoroughly researched. Both the Department of Defense and The World Health Organization recommend the use of EMDR for PTSD.
Essentially, EMDR is the process that allows us to access the experiences, ranging from clearly traumatic incidents to patterns of neglect and microaggressions. Whenever we have an experience- good, bad, or neutral- our brain attempts to integrate this into the rest of our understanding. However, if the experience is particularly emotional or upsetting, our brain stores it differently so that it can be on the lookout for this or a similar experience in the future.
And here is where it becomes problematic- if we continue to have upsetting experiences, and thus our brain has more data to consider in keeping us “safe,” our lookout system becomes overactivated and operates akin to a hair-trigger.
Further, repeated activation of this system can impact us outside of triggering moments. What might have been once a thought or an emotion that only emerged under very specific circumstances becomes more and more common until it becomes the “norm,” disconnected from the specific event it initially existed in.
EMDR allows us to access the events and perceptions that underlie or are at the root of our present difficulties. When we look at these events, we use a variety of exercises to distract or allow your brain to process these negative (traumatic) events so that can be integrated into our broader, more informed understanding.
Effectively, we are removing the “evidence” your brain has built a case for using these distorted, traumatic experiences.
While initially developed for the treatment of PTSD, my training and experience allows me to effectively use this approach with other conditions, such as mood and anxiety disorders, self-defeating behavior, and impulsive, undesired behaviors. I am also skilled in using EMDR with challenging presentations, including dissociation, psychological avoidance, and personal defenses.
EMDR can be used as an adjunct in our more “traditional” therapeutic work together or it can be the primary focus/exercise during treatment. EMDR is well suited for application in sessions 2-4 hours in duration, which can consolidate the time you spend in treatment, maximizing time spent living in freedom from your symptoms.
EMDR is one of the most well research mental health treatment models we have. Numerous peer-review studies have demonstrated the efficicay of EMDR for a variety of issues. I have linked several resources below pointing you to this research:
Effectiveness of EMDR as a Treatment Option For Conditions Other Than PTSD
Cochrane Review for EMDR as Treatment of PTSD
Promise in Treating Borderline Personality Disorder with EMDR
If you think EMDR is right for you or would like to talk further about whether or not EMDR might be beneficial as a primary therapy or an adjunct to your existing work, please reach out! I would love to answer any questions you may have.