What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach used to facilitate healing from the effects of traumatic events and other difficult life experiences.  It is an approach that is validated as evidenced based by SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) and the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices.  EMDR has been shown to be effective with adults, teens, and children for a variety of issues including:

• PTSD

• Phobia

• Grief/Loss

• Anxiety

• Abandonment

• Attachment wounds

• Depression

When traumatic or painful events occur, the brain attempts to process the experiences and store the memories in an adaptive way. If events are not properly processed, the associated memories are not stored in a manner that is helpful to the system. The thoughts, feelings, images and/or body sensations from the past event may become activated in a present-day situation. The person’s reactions may be out of proportion to the current event, or they may experience emotional distress and behavioral difficulties. The EMDR therapeutic modality includes a mechanism to assist the client to process difficult past experiences to alleviate current distress. This often includes eye movement, tapping or other playful bilateral movements, based on the needs of the client. You may learn more about EMDR here