EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitization and Response (EMDR) therapy is a highly effective, evidenced based treatment designed to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories, distressing thoughts, and negative beliefs. It is one of the most widely researched therapeutic modalities.
While originally designed to treat PTSD, research studies have proven its effectiveness in treating Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Grief, Sexual Dysfunction, Somatics disorders, Personality Disorders, and a variety of other concerns.
EMDR has been found to alleviate emotional distress in a variety of concerns, including:
- Sexual Abuse
- Neglect
- Emotional Abuse
- Physical Abuse
- Violent Assault
- Combat Trauma
- Phobias
- Traumatic Events like car accidents, witnessing death or violence, medical trauma, etc.
- Dissociation
- Grief
- Chronic Medical conditions or ongoing pain
- Attachment Issues
- Performance Anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Lack of connection or struggles with Intimacy
- Low self-esteem
- Internalized stigma or shame
- Culturally-based/identity trauma
- Refugee Populations
- Cycle breaking and Parenting
If you have tried talk therapy before, and seem to be stuck in the same patterns, EMDR may be right for you. Utilizing EMDR, we target the root cause of these patterns and access deeper parts of the brain, as compared to traditional talk therapy. Through bilateral stimulation, EMDR reduces activity in the amygdala (fear center) and increases activity in the prefrontal cortex, aiding in memory integration. This process allows us to “weed out” dysfunctionally stored material caused by trauma and/or distress.
For in person therapy, Tara uses the latest, state of the art, wireless, EMDR equipment (EMDR Kit, designed and produced in the Netherlands) to ensure client comfort and personalization. EMDR is also effective through telehealth sessions, in which clients perform bilateral stimulation via tapping/Butterfly Hug.
The 8 Phases of EMDR: