EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing.

As with most therapy, it focuses on your present concerns. EMDR addresses past emotionally-charged experiences that influence your current patterns of emotions, sensations, and thoughts about yourself. Do you ever feel unworthy, unlovable, or at fault, even though you usually know that's not true? Emotion patterns can be PTSD-related or less severe, like anxiety, anger, unresolved grief, co-dependency or other problems. EMDR is the gold standard treatment for PTSD due to the scientific evidence about how well it works.

EMDR processing helps you break through the emotional blocks that are keeping you from living an adaptive, emotionally healthy life.

EMDR uses rapid sets of eye movements to help you update disturbing experiences, much like what occurs when we sleep. During sleep, we alternate between regular sleep and REM (rapid eye movement). This sleep pattern helps you process things that are troubling you. Tapping can be used instead of eye movements for those with vision impairment or simply if that's what is preferred.

What is different about EMDR?

• EMDR works much faster than talk therapy and does not rely on your therapist theorizing or teaching. EMDR engages your brain to adapt and use its wisdom.
• EMDR focuses on the brain’s ability to constantly learn, taking past experiences, and updating them with present information.
• Adaptive learning is constant and natural.
• Past emotionally-charged experiences often interfere with your updating process.
• EMDR breaks through that interference and helps let go of the past and update your wisdom to a healthier present perspective.

Is it necessary to tell my therapist all the details about my problems in order for them to be processed?

• No, it is not necessary to talk about all the details of your experiences for them to be processed.

Will I get emotional?

• Yes, you may. Emotions and sensations may come up during processing; although, you will be prepared and your therapist will help you safely manage them. Once they are processed, they rarely come back!

Is EMDR like hypnosis?

• No. During EMDR processing, you are present, aware, and fully in control.

Is EMDR a brief treatment?

• EMDR, as with all treatment approaches, will help you accomplish your treatment goals. The length of time that it takes is dependent upon the complexity of your problems. Frequently, EMDR is only one of several treatment approaches that will be used to help you reach your treatment goals.