EMDR THERAPY.

Often when individuals experience traumatic or distressing event(s), activation of the stress response can limit the brains ability to process the experience. Subsequently, experiences can end up “stuck” in the nervous system, causing individuals to re-experience event (i.e. in nightmares, imagines, sounds, ect.), cause on-going stress or anxiety, and interfere with how one functions day-to-day (i.e. with other people, at work, ect.). EMDR is proven to help.

  • EMDR therapy is designed to help the brain process traumatic experiences, so that the individuals no longer re-experiences the stress and anxiety associated with event. EMDR has been extensively research and found highly effective. For many clients, EMDR can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapy.

    It does not require talking in detail about the distressing issues or experience. Instead it uses Bilateral Stimulation (BLS), to help access the brain’s natural way of processing and recovering from the impact of traumatic experiences . BLS stimulates the body in a rhythmic pattern using visual, auditory or tactile stimuli. For example, individuals may focus on alternating lights causing eyes to shift left to right repeatedly.

    Working closely with their therapist, individuals will mentally focus on aspects of the disturbing issues/experience, while simultaneously following BLS to enhance brain processing. Following a successful EMDR session, an individual no longer experiences re-lives event, or experiences distress and related symptoms like anxiety or depression thinking about event. Their mind and body is able to recognize the event is in past and the impact no longer lingers in a distressing manner.

  • EMDR is used to effectively address a wide range of challenges such as:

    • PTSD and other trauma and stress related issues

    • Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias

    • Grief and loss

    • Chronic pain

    • Abuse and sexual assaults

    • Sleep disturbances

  • Does EMDR really work? Yes. There are ample studies showing EMDR is effective at reducing symptoms of trauma, anxiety, panic and phobias. It is considered a gold standard treatment around the world for trauma and stressor related concerns like PTSD.

    How long is EMDR session? Typically 60-90 minutes.

    How many sessions will I need? There is a great deal of variation depending on person and complexity of specific concern of trauma. However, many people start to notice significant and lasting improvements in 3-5 sessions. I aim to work within people’s time/monetary budgets to determine what we can effectively treat.

    How will I feel after EMDR session? Though everyone’s experience is different, many people report feeling “calmer” or “light”; some report feeling more emotional or “edgy” for a day or two which is normal as body processes “stuck” emotions/thoughts to facilitate recovery; many report feeling tired for day or two, which is again normal as mind has done a lot of work in a short amount of time processing which is tiring.