EMDR Therapy

Many people feel that something is holding them back in life, causing them to think, feel and act in ways that don’t serve them. EMDR therapy is used to identify and process the encoded memories of life experiences that underlie people’s current problems.

EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is recognized as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and other disorders stemming from trauma and adverse life experiences. The integrative approach uses rapid eye movements and other procedures to access and process disturbing memories. EMDR has been described by many people as being a spiritual or meditative experience, where more balanced and positive feelings and beliefs about the self emerge.

Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can rapidly experience the benefits of psychotherapy that may have taken years otherwise. The mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound.  If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. A similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward healing. If the system is blocked by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. EMDR clinicians help clients activate their natural healing processes.

More than 30 positive controlled outcome studies have been done on EMDR therapy. It is now recognized as an effective form of treatment for trauma and other adverse experiences by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization, The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, SAMHSA, and the Department of Defense. (Above excerpts from the EMDR Institute and Q&A with developer, Francis Shapiro)

Please contact Kristina for more information about EMDR therapy. It is possible to participate in EMDR remotely!