EMDR

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is an evidence-based therapeutic modality that helps people heal from traumatic events, distressing experiences, and stuck patterns of thinking, feeling or behaving.

Dealing With Trauma & Overwhelming Experiences

When people experience trauma or experiences that are too intense or happen too quickly, the nervous system may not fully process them, leaving memories stored in a way that continues to trigger emotional, physical, or relational reactions in the present. This may show up as:

Distressing sensations and emotions
Intrusive memories, images & thoughts
Nightmares & sleep disturbance

Avoidant behaviors
Chronic hypervigilance and stress
Relationship dysfunction

How EMDR Works

EMDR helps activate the innate neurobiological processes the brain uses to integrate and process experiences. EMDR does not erase the memory - it allows you to remember the event without all of the distress, discomfort, and emotional charge that it had before treatment. EMDR can help you move forward in your life without being overwhelmed by past experiences.

The Process

EMDR uses Dual Attention Stimulus and Bi-lateral stimulation to tax working memory, activate the brain and help the mind and body process the overwhelming experience. Bi-lateral stimulation is simply externally stimulating opposite sides of the body. It can be done with eye movements, pulsers held in hands, gentle self-tapping on either side of the body or tones played through headphones. Dual Attention stimulus refers to the process of guiding the client to focus on several things at the same time, such as holding the memory in mind while tapping and following eye movements. This is designed to tax the working memory, which helps to reduce the vividness and intensity of the memory and ultimately integrate the experience.

EMDR can be helpful for:

Trauma and PTSD
Anxiety and panic
Attachment and relational wounds

Childhood trauma and developmental trauma
Grief and loss
Performance blocks and negative self-beliefs

EMDR honors the body’s wisdom and your own inner capacity for healing, allowing change to unfold at a pace that feels safe and supportive. Rather than reliving the past, EMDR helps you gently release what no longer serves you so you can move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and connection.

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