What is EMDR?
What even is EMDR and can it help me?
EMDR is the gold standard in trauma therapy, but you’ve probably heard some weird things about it…especially when it is shown on TV. In reality, EMDR is awesome (and a little strange), but it can help you heal in a major way.
EMDR uses back and forth movement (eyes following a light back and forth, tapping your legs in an alternating pattern, hearing a tone back and forth in each ear, and more) to help store a memory differently in your brain so that it is less upsetting. The awesome thing about the movements is that we can try a few different kinds and keep what you’re most comfortable with.
Here is a very simplified version of the process:
We decide EMDR makes sense for you.
We work on coping skills and ways you can feel safe in between sessions to get you ready.
We practice and find the movement you prefer.
We figure out what memories you want to target.
We pick the first memory to start with, I ask a few questions (and you get to give me vague answers), and we start the movement!
After a certain number of passes, I will pause and check in. Again, you get to give me short answers.
We will do this until the memory no longer feels distressing.
Then we install a positive thought about yourself in regards to the memory.
We check in with how you feel in your body,
You go about your day feeling lighter!
Is it really that simple? No. We might spend several sessions on one memory. We might spend a long time learning resources to help you handle feelings that can come up in between sessions. You might reprocess one memory and have a new memory come up. You might reprocess a memory and decide you need more resources and tools before we do more. All of this is normal and ok. No matter the route though, EMDR can help you reach lasting healing if you give it a chance.
Ok, cool…but what can it help with? As I mentioned at the beginning, EMDR is an amazing trauma and PTSD therapy. It makes the memories of what happened feel less intense while letting you not have to say everything out loud. EMDR can also help with anxiety, processing chronic pain/illness, depression, and more.
If you want to see me for EMDR, reach out and we can talk! If EMDR sounds cool after reading this, but you want to learn more, check out www.emdria.org! I promise it’s not as weird as TV can make it look.
