EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy is an evidence based treatment for trauma and PTSD. This specialized treatment can decrease negative emotions associated with distressing memories and traumatic events. EMDR was developed to treat PTSD and has been proven to be useful in reducing distress associated with panic attacks, grief, negative thoughts about oneself or the world, and more.
During EMDR therapy sessions your therapist will facilitate eye movement or other forms of bilateral stimulation such as tapping or sound. While utillizing the chosen bilateral stimulation your therapist will guide you through the reprocessing of the traumatic memories or distressing thoughts or events. It is not necessary for you to describe the negative experiences out loud during an EMDR session. By reprocessing the events with the use of EMDR the brain's relationship to the traumatic events change and healing can begin.
EMDR may be used as a primary therapy tool during the majority of your sessions. Its also useful as an adjunct treatment and may be used to clear certain stuck thoughts or beliefs that are negatively impacting your life. Your EMDR therapist can help you to determine how EMDR may be useful for you.
Rachel Burgreen LCSW-S and Lisa Sledd, LMFT are trained in EMDR. Reach out today for a free phone consultation to see if EMDR is the right fit for you.
More about EMDR: https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/