What is EMDR Therapy?
Courtesy of EMDR International Association EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and originally developed as treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It's showing success for those struggling with anxiety, depression, and much more. It's based on the understanding of how our brain stores negative life experiences.
Our Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) system processes information by storing it in the brain for future use, much like a filing cabinet, and let's go of what we don't need. In an overwhelming, scary situation, our system goes "offline" and is unable to process normally. Leaving sights, sounds, smells, feelings of the experience stuck and unresolved. Later, causing it to replay in your mind whenever you're reminded of the experience.
Sometimes, the memory is clear to you. Sometimes only parts or fragmentations of a memory. Sometimes no recall at all but experience intense reactions to certain senses related to a blocked memory. Negative beliefs about yourself, others, and the world are common too. Beliefs of "I'm not safe," “I’m not good enough,” “I’m not worthy,” and many others. And if left unaddressed, you continue to carry this view into later life experiences. It often leads to unwanted patterns of overwhelming reactions, feeling out of control, or a series of unhealthy relationships. Possibly develop unhealthy habits to cope and avoid. Only reinforcing your beliefs. Leaving you wondering what you're doing wrong.
Why does this always happen to me?
You feel frustrated, hopeless, lost, or exhausted. Sometimes you’re able to catch yourself and stop before you react. Sometimes, you just can’t! You're in a spiral that you just can’t get out of.
It's as if something has hijacked your thoughts and emotions.
EMDR is an 8-phase protocol that starts with what you're struggling with now followed by identifying the root of the issue. Where or when did this begin? Next, a Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) technique is used to help "unstuck" the memory and heal old wounds. The remaining steps are taken to make sure resolution is felt both in mind and body. You will gain a new insight and perspective on an old memory, which leads to acceptance and positive perspective of yourself and others. Allowing for close and healthy relationships.
The most common response I hear from clients is, "It was just something that happened."
I'm not promising that you will forget the memory or that it will ever be a happy memory. Nobody can or should promise you that. But, what would your life be like if your past was no longer driving your present?
EMDR Therapy is not meant to end with a new you, but rather with the you that has always been there.
I offer a free 20-minute consultation to help you learn more and together, determine if EMDR is right for you and the goal you’re trying to achieve.