Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
WHAT IS EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly specialized therapy that enables people to heal from the effects of traumatic events or upsetting life experiences. Following a traumatic incident, impressions of trauma get stored in the nervous system. As a result, we are blocked from learning new ways of seeing a situation and often re-experience the symptoms of the initial trauma when stressful events trigger us in the present. EMDR helps to put the past in the past, where it belongs, instead of feeling like it is happening in the present (over and over with the same thoughts, emotions and body sensations experienced during the event). Developed in the 1980's, EMDR has been heavily researched for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), phobias, and panic, and is also effective for the treatment of anxiety, depression, anger, body image, marital discord, and existential angst. |
WHAT IS A TRAUMATIC LIFE EVENT?
A traumatic event is an experience that can cause physical, emotional, psychological distress, or harm. It is an event that is perceived and experienced as a threat to your safety, stability, or connection to the world. WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
In EMDR therapy, the meaning of painful events is transformed on an emotional level. Successful EMDR helps to put the past in the past and allows you to move forward with a full capacity to experience life free from the experience of traumatic symptoms. |
A traumatic event might include:
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