What is EDMR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), is a type of somatic therapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and distress that occur from a disturbing experience or trauma. It is a widely accepted and used treatment modality that relieves symptoms of trauma in less time than other traditional talk therapies.

 

This type of therapy helps clients work through trauma in a way that can relieve the emotional and physical distress, allowing clients to feel more present and balanced in their life. Clients will still recall the memory, but lose the tight hold the memory has had. This process works by using bilateral stimulation using eyes, ears, tapping or hand pulsers. Using the specific EMDR protocols allows clinicians to help clients activate their natural healing processes. 

 

EMDR heals the whole person using a mind/body approach. This process begins to heal traumatic memories by integrating them into the brain in a way that allows the body/emotions to be neutral and non-reactive, when triggered by the event. Understand that trauma can be any event that has caused a disruption that impacts a person emotionally and physically. Some examples of ways trauma can show up may be:

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• Low motivation and/or sabotaging behaviors

• anger and fighting

• body image issues

• procrastinating often

• decreased interest in goals and activities

• detachment from others and/or body

• flashbacks that may cause panic or distress

• Nightmares

• Avoidance of anything that reminds them of the event

• Sleep issues

• Anxiety and depression

• Memory loss

• Substance abuse

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To read more detail about the EMDR process please click here ​https://www.emdria.org/page/120

 or purchase the book, EMDR Essential -A Guide for Clients and Therapists for a detailed, easy to read guide to treatment ​https://maibergerinstitute.com/book/emdr-essentials-guide-clients-therapists/