Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
How It Works
Think of EMDR using the analogy of weeds in a garden. When you spray weeds, the spray doesn't get to the root and the weeds grow back. By only trimming the weeds, it still doesn't get to the root. Once you pull up the root of the weed, you often find several other roots that are all connected. Until you pull up all of those roots, the weeds will continue to grow back. EMDR is a type of therapy that helps clients' get to the root of the issue. Sometimes it is clear, and we know what the root of the issue is, but other times it isnt. Whether it seems like a "simple" critical incident, or its is multiple traumas over a period time time, if we do not get to the root, symptoms will persist.
When going through EMDR, you keep one foot in the present and the other foot in the past, leaving clients in complete control. Since the client is in control, it allows you to manage emotions, thoughts and sensations throughout the body to gain control of the future and present triggers. It is completed in a structured 8 Phase model. Client's drive the session.
Trauma Counseling
"Eye movements (or other bilateral stimulation) are used during one part of the session. After the clinician has determined which memory to target first, he asks the client to hold different aspects of that event or thought in mind and to use his eyes to track the therapist’s hand as it moves back and forth across the client’s field of vision".
"The effect is that clients conclude EMDR therapy feeling empowered by the very experiences that once debased them. Their wounds have not just closed, they have transformed. As a natural outcome of the EMDR therapeutic process, the clients’ thoughts, feelings and behavior are all robust indicators of emotional health and resolution—all without speaking in detail or doing homework used in other therapies".
-From www.emdr.com
EMDR Online or In-Person
I am now offering EMDR sessions both online and in-person to First Responders and Veterans. I was trained in EMDR Level 1 in September 2023 and in EMDR Level 2 in March 2024. I was trained by the Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP). I seek ongoing consultation supervision with a EMDRIA Certified Consultant (which is a requirement for being trained in this modality). I am working towards my EMDR certification.
I take a collaborative approach with my clients and pace sessions as slow or fast as my clients want them to go. My goal is to have my clients leaving lighter than when session began. Although EMDR can bring up alot of emotions, images, memories and sensations, the goal is to leave therapy feeling good. Clients are completely in control of the session. Think of putting one foot in the past while one foot is in the present.
Prior to starting reprocessing in EMDR, clients will great a strong therapeutic rapport (which is key), create grounding and coping skills and build resources for healthy coping to use throughout.
I myself have gone through EMDR and know the difficult emotions it can bring up, but the outcome was completely worth it.