EMDR Therapy
EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy used to treat the effects of trauma (i.e., PTSD, ASD, cPTSD). It is also increasingly used to treat other mental health conditions and problem behaviors. I am certified in the use of EMDR, a member of the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), and an EMDRIA approved Consultant.
How EMDR Works
Our brains naturally process experiences and store them as memories. Sometimes negative experiences are too overwhelming to process and store, leaving them vulnerable to activation in the here-and-now. EMDR therapy works by directing the brain to re-process these traumatic experiences and place them in the past, removing their influence on the present.
EMDR therapy does not re-write history and transform a trauma into a positive experience. It removes the ability of the trauma to lie about the client. It defuses trauma, and allows clients to “put” the past where it belongs (adaptive integration). This proper storage neutralizes intrusions from the past, into the here-and-now (nightmares, flashbacks, etc.). The result is that clients have control over when, where and how long they think of these experiences, now encoded as entries or chapters in the story of their life.
EMDR Therapy – What does the therapy look like?
EMDR therapy entails a three-pronged approach. The past, or origins of the present difficulty, are typically treated first, followed by how the past influences the present, which is often what brings a client to therapy. The third and final prong of EMDR therapy addresses the ways in which the trauma may influence the client’s future.
Different diagnoses may require an adjustment of this approach. For example, diagnoses related to chronic, early and severe trauma tend to be treated differently, dealing with the past after present stabilization, and an adaptive vision of the future have been solidified.
Processing of traumatic memories occurs after history taking and preparation, but involves activating a traumatic memory, noticing specific elements of the traumatic experience, and the application of bilateral stimulation (alternating eye movements, tones in headphones, or tapping shoulders or hands). The client is then asked to notice any thoughts, feelings, images, urges to act, and body sensations that arise. Processing pauses, and the client offers reports on what they notice. The therapist makes adjustments, if necessary, to ensure that desensitization and reprocessing proceed until the trauma memory is no longer disturbing, the client has replaced “the lie” of the memory with an adaptive self-referencing belief, and there is no residual disturbance in the body.
What type of experience can be targeted with EMDR therapy?
Different types of trauma: “Little t” (developmental) traumas vs. “Capital T” traumas.
“T” traumas are negative life experiences widely recognized in most cultures as traumatic. For example, car accidents, natural disasters, combat, physical/sexual assaults or abuse are considered “T” traumas. They are often associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or PTSD-like symptoms.
Developmental, or “t” traumas are negative life experiences that occur during periods of growth, are often recurrent and vary according to the client and their background. These adverse experiences may not involve the threat of death or physical harm, and have even been referred to as “invisible” traumas. Examples include childhood bullying, repeated shaming, criticism, and chronic hardship, exclusion, as well as emotional abuse and/or neglect. These negative experiences can result in social and generalized anxiety, conflict avoidance, low self esteem, depression, and relationship difficulties, among other challenges.
Consultation
I am an EMDRIA-approved consultant.
I offer 60 minute individual or group consultation sessions to therapists who have completed EMDR training and are working towards their own certification, or to those therapists who would like support or input on their utilization of EMDR therapy, target planning/sequencing, and processing difficulties.
My Approach
I completed my basic training in EMDR through Sonoma PTI, under the instruction of Dr. Andrew Leeds, PhD.
This approach emphasizes understanding and accounting for attachment history, employs the structural theory of dissociation, and encourages fidelity to the theory and technique of Francine Shapiro, PhD, the psychologist who developed EMDR therapy.
I am also trained in and frequently utilize the Flash Technique, taught by Philip Manfield, PhD.