Outpatient services for individuals seeking a unique, effective therapy option.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a unique therapy opportunity because it allows you to receive effective treatment without being required to share the details of your story with your therapist. Although talking through your story is an option, it is not a requirement. This is because during EMDR your own brain does all the work. You choose what you would like to change and feel differently about.
How does EMDR work?
When we experience something upsetting, disturbing, or painful, sometimes the memory of that event gets “stuck” or “frozen” in the mind and body. While memories can be great, if we are not able to store them in ways that are helpful, then they can become difficult to manage or cause us to react in ways we wish we could change. EMDR uses bi-lateral stimulation to let us take control of how we react to, and feel about, situations. It helps the brain to “digest” all of the mixed-up feelings and emotions so that we can get rid of what is making us feel and react poorly. It also helps us learn to keep and hold tight to those things that make us stronger. While memories of events remain the same – what we think, the way we feel, or the way we react to them – changes for the better.
EMDR can help with…
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Personality Disorders
• Phobias
• Eating Disorders
• Encopresis
• Panic Attacks
• Disturbing Memories
• Physical/Sexual Abuse
• Traumas
• Addictions
• Grief
• Attention Difficulties
• Anger
• Stress Reduction
What will EMDR be like?
During your session, you can choose a specific problem or memory that you would like to focus on and change. Then, you can bring that thing to mind – remembering what you saw, felt, heard, and thought when it happened, as well as what you currently think and feel about it. The therapist will then use EMDR techniques until your memories become less and less disturbing. You will still remember what happened, but it will be less upsetting. Some people find EMDR to be very relaxing and are energized by immediate positive changes. Others may be tired by the session’s end and continue to experience positive progress throughout the days following.
Children and EMDR
Children may also participate in play therapy during their EMDR sessions. Art or sand play may be used to assist children with this process. Many times the upsetting memory or event is consistently present in a child’s mind so the child may be asked to play freely, allowing the disturbing event to be expressed naturally in the child’s play while they are participating in the BLS method of their choice.
Who endorses EMDR?
• The American Psychiatric Association
• The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• The U.S. Department of Defense
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Source: www.emdria.org
