Lorie Atkinson, MSW, RSW

EMDR is an extensively researched mental health treatment for alleviating the symptoms of adverse life experiences. It is an integrative form of psychotherapy that can be used with people of all ages.

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It is a physiologically based (body-oriented) therapy that alleviates emotional and physical distress (desensitization). It also enables a new relationship with the original experience--people see things in a new and less disturbing way (reprocessing). This therapy involves more of the brain (both hemispheres) than traditional talk therapy by utilizing bilateral stimulation (eye-movement, tapping, bi-lateral sounds etc). There are several methods for this therapy, and your comfort and preferences are determined before therapy begins. 

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EMDR Therapy is thought to have a direct impact on the brain's information processing system. The positive changes being due to an unlocking of the brain's ability to process information (like what happens during REM sleep). EMDR stimulates the mind's own adaptive capacity, to facilitate healing and resolution of disturbing experiences. 

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EMDR trained clinicians use a variety of techniques and procedures to facilitate this natural healing process. 

 

Benefits of this therapy include:

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• It is different from talk therapy. People who have spent years in talk therapy trying to resolve issues can see issues resolve in a few sessions of EMDR

• It can have rapid treatment effects

• You do not have to talk about details of trauma or difficult memories for the therapy to be effective

• There is no homework

• It easily integrates with other forms of therapy

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You do not have to have PTSD for this therapy to be effective. EMDR has been found effective for a variety of issues including:

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• depression

• anxiety

• traumatic grief

• nightmares

• performance anxiety

• betrayal trauma (infidelity)

• birth trauma

• addictions

• eating disorders

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EMDR is an emerging treatment for treating chronic pain issues, phantom limb pain, and medically unexplained symptoms of chronic pain. 

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EMDR can be applied to any situation where you are experiencing disturbing or overwhelming emotions.

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