What is EMDR?
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a mind- body therapy that involves talking about a memory while engaging in some form of bilateral stimulation (BLS), usually eye movements, tapping, or buzzers that the client holds.
When starting our EMDR work together, I will have you identify a memory that is linked to the reason you’re in therapy. From there, we will process it while doing BLS, identify current triggers, and figure out how you’d like to respond to triggers in the future. The ultimate goal is to change how these memories are stored in your brain, so that they go from being maladaptive to adaptive, or at least much less distressing.
EMDR has a wide research base and has been shown to be helpful for a wide range of populations and presenting concerns, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and phobias. For a more detailed overview of the research about EMDR, click here.
Will EMDR work for me?
While I can’t guarantee that any particular therapy will be effective for you, EMDR may be helpful for you if you have tried other types of therapy and are coming up short. If you are particularly interested in the mind-body connection (and holding funny little buzzers if you see me in person), you may love EMDR.
If you have any other questions about this unique treatment, please don’t hesitate to ask.