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Individual · Couples ·
Family · Group Psychotherapy · Trauma |
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EMDR—Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a powerful tool used
in psychotherapy to help people gain relief from many forms of psychological
distress. In 1987, Francine Shapiro, Ph.D. made a personal observation that
rapid eye movement lessened the intensity of disturbing emotional distress.
She began studying the effects of artificially stimulating eye movements
while thinking of a disturbing event. Dr. Shapiro’s theory became EMDR.
A basic tenet of EMDR theory is that the mind can heal from emotional trauma
in the same way the body heals from physical trauma. For example, the body
will work hard to expel a splinter under the skin. The wound festers and
can be very painful. Once the splinter is removed the body quickly and
naturally heals the wound. EMDR demonstrates basically the same order with
mental processes. The brain like the body naturally moves toward health.
If the effects of trauma block the information process system, the wound can
cause intense suffering. Once the emotional block is removed – healing can
resume.
Traumas come in all shapes, sizes and levels of intensity. It doesn’t need
to be a big trauma to have an impact on your life. It can be a small event
that leaves a stressful imprint. Regardless of the magnitude of the event,
if it prevents you from living a full and fearless life filled with joy and
love – it is a trauma and EMDR can help you heal.
People process the events of life in unique ways that vary according to many
factors. If an event is not processed, it remains in the mind and body in
its original state. It gets “frozen in time” with all the sights, sounds,
smells, thoughts, emotions and body sensations that were present at the time
it happened. The event remains unprocessed in the right brain where it is
subjected to triggers that can create a state of constant arousal for
impending danger. Nightmares and flashbacks are common signals of this
process. Posttraumatic stress plays havoc on the mind, body, soul and our
relationships.
Today’s EMDR techniques include using a series of right to left eye
movements, hand taps (tactile) or sound (tones). The goal is to cross over
the body’s centerline from one side to the other to release the unprocessed
information that is “stuck” in the right brain and allow healing to occur.
EMDR is used for trauma, anxiety, low self-esteem, panic attacks,
complicated grief, fears/phobias, and performance anxiety. It can help
build positive qualities and inner resources. EMDR is not magic – it simply
facilitates your natural ability to heal yourself.
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