WHAT is EMDR?
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that has the potential to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Using bilateral stimulation (typically involving the eyes moving side to side), the client is encouraged and supported while focusing briefly on the memory. This dual attention to the present AND the past (the eye movement being the present, the memory being the past) is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma.
What does the research say?
Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences (Maxfield, 2019). EMDR therapy has even been superior to Prozac in trauma treatment (Van der Kolk et al., 2007). Shapiro and Forrest (2016) share that more than 7 million people have been treated successfully by 110,000 therapists in 130 countries since 2016. - EMDRIA
The American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs/Dept. of Defense, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the World Health Organization among many other national and international organizations recognize EMDR therapy as an effective treatment.
My Training
EMDR is highly nuanced and specialized, and thus should only be done under the care of a licensed mental health professional trained in EMDR. My training was completed through the EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) program through the EMDR Center of Southern CA located in Newport Beach in 2023. I am currently working towards Certification and am under ongoing consultation with an EMDR Approved Consultant.
EMDR has the potential to be more rapid and effective than many other types of trauma processing psychotherapies. EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the trauma or returning time after time for check-ups. EMDR therapy, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to
resume its natural healing process. It allows the brain to do what the trauma hindered.
EMDR can be done virtually and in-person, and is effective both with children and adults.
If you are interested in learning more about EMDR, send me and email or give me a phone call to set up an initial consultation.