What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and is commonly used to treat trauma and PTSD. However, EMDR can also be beneficial when working with intrusive thoughts, limiting beliefs, anxiety, grief and loss, abuse, etc.

What is EMDR & is it right for me?

As with traumatic events, EMDR can also target incidences that have led to limiting beliefs about our self-worth/self-esteem, anxieties or worries, intrusive thoughts (about ourselves or others) and other experiences that are impacting our mental health. EMDR has been successfully used to treat:

• Anxiety

• Panic attacks

• Grief and loss

• Depression

• Addictions

• Anger

• Phobias

• Performance anxiety

• Sleep problems

• Traumatic memories

• Low self-esteem

• Trust issues

How EMDR Works:

When we go to sleep at night and enter into the REM sleep cycle (Rapid Eye Movement) our brain is processing and storing our memories and experiences for the day. Think of it as your brain is filing all your memories and experiences into a filing cabinet during this cycle. However, sometimes if there is a traumatic experience or incident, our brain is unable to fully process the memory. Therefore, leaving this specific “file” on the floor, instead of filing the memory away.

This results in triggers leading to symptoms of distress when you are put in a situation or environment that reminds your body and brain of the traumatic incident or experience, as your body and brain are triggered back into that incident and react how they did/would if you were re-experiencing it all over again. Unfortunately, when the memory is unprocessed, the body and brain are unable to recognize that you are no longer in that experience and are just being triggered by something that reminds you of the incident.

The research has shown EMDR to be beneficial in minimizing your bodies reaction to triggers, making symptoms less overwhelming and more manageable. The process focuses on desensitizing a target incident and reprocessing it in your brain by using bilateral stimulations that mimic the stimulations your brain experiences during the REM sleep cycle.

Benefits of EMDR:

• Resolution of trauma

• Improved relationships (with self and others)

• Improved mental health

• Cope with physical sensations (i.e., physiological responses)

• Develop positive beliefs

• Improved focus and concentration

• Reduce symptoms of anxiety and/or depression

• Better parenting skills

• Improved sleep quality