What is EMDR?
EMDR therapy is extensively researched and widely recognized as a recommended treatment for Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But trauma doesn’t need to be a big traumatic event — it can also be pervasive emotional abuse, neglect, bullying, or any other ongoing exposure to abuse. If abuse was chronic for you in childhood, it can impact your health if not addressed. 90% of clients in mental health services have experienced trauma. It’s a widespread problem that impacts many people. There is no shame in seeking help. It just makes sense to address it.
The video below is a great introduction to EMDR therapy:
Using EMDR
I am certified in EMDR. This means I have shown a commitment to training, supervision and excellence in this trauma treatment method. EMDR is an amazing therapy that will help you truly recover from trauma. Using your body and mind to activate adaptive processing, you can neutralize your memories so they don’t hold you captive any more.
You may have memories of trauma that interfere in your daily life. Bits and pieces of things you come across during the course of a normal day such as smells, facial expressions, phrases, tactile memories, pictures and sounds can activate strong emotions or physical reactions. Thoughts such as “I’m a bad person / ugly / stupid,” crop up and become part of our stream of consciousness making us feel as if we are reliving our trauma daily. This makes it hard to rid ourselves of thoughts and feelings that aren’t true.
EMDR allows you integrate these memories, neutralize them, and put your trauma where it belongs – in the past! I believe in this work because I have experienced it as a client and it has changed my life.
In my years of experience using EMDR to heal trauma, I have found a unique edge to get deeper faster with minimal emotional discomfort by combining clinical hypnosis with EMDR. As well as offering EMDR intensives, where we go deep on a trauma resolution rather than chip away session after session. Learn more about EMDR Intensives here.
Can EMDR Help Me?
It’s highly likely. EMDR & hypnosis can be effectively utilized for:
Trauma Recovery
While I often utilize EMDR, hynosis, and Flash Technique for clients with big “T” trauma (e.g. a major car accident, assault), I also support clients with small “t” traumas (e.g. chronic or ongoing stressful conditions, such as interpersonal conflict, difficult parents, financial stress). One of the most overlooked aspects of small ‘t’ traumas is their accumulated effect. Multiple, compounded small ‘t’ traumas may lead to distress in the nervous system and trouble with emotional functioning.
EMDR & Hypnosis are techniques which help the brain evolve from limiting beliefs. EMDR & Hypnosis may avoid some of the long and difficult abreactive work often involved in the treatment of anxiety, panic attack, post-traumatic stress symptoms (such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks), dissociative disorders, depression, phobias, identity crisis, and other adverse experiences.
Research in neuroplasticity demonstrates that our brain has the ability to change, create new neural pathways, and produce new neurons. Because the brain has this ability to change, we have the ability to change our way of thinking and improve mood. Neural pathways in the brain are strengthened with repetition. One way to describe this process is “neurons that fire together, wire together.” Constant repetition of an experience leads to changes within the brain’s structure and how the neurons process that experience. EMDR & Hypnosis utilize our brains’ neuroplasticity to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, which allows the brain to compensate for injury and adjust to new situations.
Treatment of Single Traumatic Events
People who have recently experienced a traumatic event such as rape, assault, a car accident, physical violence, or have witnessed those things happening to others are at high risk to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
I am trained in special protocols to address trauma symptoms and to prevent the development of PTSD following a recent traumatic event. If your trauma was a single event, treatment may be very brief (4 to 6 sessions). A recent study done by Dr. Ignacio Jarero found a significant positive impact on the remission of PTSD, anxiety and depression after an average of 4 sessions of EMDR.
Resourcing
We will work to strengthen internal resources while soothing parts of you that feel limited. EMDR & Hypnosis utilize images, emotions, body sensations, and relaxation to increase feelings of calm, safety, and confidence.
Resolving relationship difficulties
Attachment-focused EMDR works to repair unmet development needs (often called attachment wounding) when we have experienced an absence of care/neglect or abuse.
I would love help you leave trauma behind by using EMDR. Please reach out and let’s talk!