Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Concerns Treated with EMDR
-Trauma (childhood, past, and recent)
-Anxiety
-Addictions (substance-related and behavioral)
-Eating Disorders
-Depression
-Performance Enhancement (ex: public speaking, sudden change in abilities in sports or other performance-related activity)
-Self Esteem
-Anxiety
-Addictions (substance-related and behavioral)
-Eating Disorders
-Depression
-Performance Enhancement (ex: public speaking, sudden change in abilities in sports or other performance-related activity)
-Self Esteem
8 Phases of Treatment
EMDR consists of 8 Phases of treatment. Each of the phases serves a specific purpose. The length of each phase is person-specific, therefore it is not possible to predict the number of sessions that each person will require. However, research supports EMDR as an efficient and effective therapy, moving more quickly than traditional talk therapy.
1) History - During this phase we will gather information about your past, including negative self-beliefs.
2) Preparation - During preparation I will teach you soothing and grounding exercises to support the work. I will also provide you with education about EMDR, how it works, and what to expect. We will introduce bilateral stimulation, and I will allow you to try auditory, tactile, and visual options to find what works best for you.
3) Assessment - You are free to decide on a place to begin our work. I will help you to further investigate and gain emotional awareness about your target issue.
4) Desensitization - During this phase we will utilize bilateral stimulation to assist you in reprocessing the event targeted in the Assessment phase. We will work in "sets", and stop periodically to make sure that things are moving along. It is not required for you to share anything that you may not want to. You are always in control and may stop at any point if you desire.
5) Installation - We will work on building and intensifying a positive belief related to the targeted event utilizing bilateral stimulation.
6) Body Scan - I will help you to hold the original event with the new positive belief, and you will scan your body to notice if there is any residual piece that needs to be reprocessed.
7) Closure - At the end of each session, we will leave some time for debriefing, as well as to do a relaxation and grounding exercise to be sure that you feel comfortable leaving the office.
8) Reevaluation - In our next session, we will start off by checking in and discussing anything new that you've noticed since our previous meeting, including dreams, thoughts, or changes.
1) History - During this phase we will gather information about your past, including negative self-beliefs.
2) Preparation - During preparation I will teach you soothing and grounding exercises to support the work. I will also provide you with education about EMDR, how it works, and what to expect. We will introduce bilateral stimulation, and I will allow you to try auditory, tactile, and visual options to find what works best for you.
3) Assessment - You are free to decide on a place to begin our work. I will help you to further investigate and gain emotional awareness about your target issue.
4) Desensitization - During this phase we will utilize bilateral stimulation to assist you in reprocessing the event targeted in the Assessment phase. We will work in "sets", and stop periodically to make sure that things are moving along. It is not required for you to share anything that you may not want to. You are always in control and may stop at any point if you desire.
5) Installation - We will work on building and intensifying a positive belief related to the targeted event utilizing bilateral stimulation.
6) Body Scan - I will help you to hold the original event with the new positive belief, and you will scan your body to notice if there is any residual piece that needs to be reprocessed.
7) Closure - At the end of each session, we will leave some time for debriefing, as well as to do a relaxation and grounding exercise to be sure that you feel comfortable leaving the office.
8) Reevaluation - In our next session, we will start off by checking in and discussing anything new that you've noticed since our previous meeting, including dreams, thoughts, or changes.
For More Information
If you'd like more information about EMDR and its benefits, visit the EMDR International Association website: www.emdria.org.
Cindy demonstrating the equipment used for Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy, which can include bilateral stimulation by way of vision, hearing, or touch.