What is EMDR?

When disturbing experiences occur, they are stored in the brain with all the sights, sounds, thoughts, and feelings that accompany them. These disturbances can impact a person’s emotional functioning for days, weeks, or years later. By using bilateral stimulation, EMDR helps “unlock” the negative memories and emotions stored in the body. When used in conjunction with other modes of therapy, EMDR helps move the client quickly from emotional distress to peaceful resolution of the issues or events. The memory of the disturbance may remain but the negative response is neutralized.

How does EMDR work?

A thorough assessment will be conducted to determine the disturbing events or feelings that will be targeted during treatment. Once the initial protocols are established, we will have you focus on a target memory and then begin bilateral stimulation, a series of rapid right/left eye movements performed with either a moving finger or headphones and a set of electronic pulsers, which facilitate visual, auditory, or tactile reprocessing. The reprocessing will continue until the level of distress is eliminated or significantly reduced.

How will I be affected by EMDR?

The EMDR technique may evoke strong feelings during the reprocessing sessions or in between sessions. This is normal and a part of the releasing process. The re-experiencing of these unpleasant feelings is brief and should be minimal when treatment is completed.

What is the length of treatment?

The length of treatment depends on a number of factors, including the nature and degree of the trauma. Single-event traumas may be resolved in 2-5 sessions. A more typical course of treatment is somewhere between 5 and 15 sessions. A person who has suffered a history of multiple traumas and years of feeling bad about themselves may require more sessions.

Who would benefit from EMDR?

EMDR is highly effective for a wide range of disorders. Research shows a high degree of effectiveness with the following conditions: