EMDR Therapy for Adults
What is EMDR?
Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy used to help people put the past behind them, be more present in their day-to-day lives, and create the future they desire for themselves.
EMDR utilizes bilateral stimulation by activating the senses through visual, auditory, and/or tactile side-to-side patterns, like watching a ping-pong game (eyes moving back and forth) or going for a walk. EMDR is not "shock-therapy" or hypnosis.
Through Bilateral Stimulation, EMDR directly affects the brain's information processing system and liberates us from emotional experiences that are trapped in our nervous systems. EMDR helps us to better "digest" difficult experiences, which results in more peaceful feelings, resolution, and the ability to be more present in our lives.
Who can EMDR help?
EMDR has been extensively researched and is a proven method to help people recovering from difficult life experiences, PTSD, Anxiety, and depression.
EMDR can also be helpful with the following concerns: panic attacks, phobias, coping with chronic illness, Bipolar Disorders, dissociative disorders, eating disorders, grief/loss, performance anxiety, personality disorders, other trauma- and stress-related disorders, sexual assault, violence, abuse, sleep disturbance, and substance use and other addictions.
How is EMDR unique?
EMDR activates the natural processes in the brain that are geared towards health and wellness, rather than focusing on changing thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. EMDR helps us to "digest" experiences that are "stuck" in the brain and creating distress in the present moment, so we can heal and move forward. EMDR, unlike many other therapies, does not require clients to re-hash the details of past traumatic experiences or to complete “homework” assignments between sessions. For many clients, EMDR can be completed in fewer sessions than traditional talk-therapy.
Why choose EMDR with Courageous Story Counseling PLLC?
EMDR is a mental health intervention that should only be provided by professionally trained and licensed mental health clinicians. At Courageous Story Counseling PLLC, we exceed these expectations. We are both EMDR Certified Therapists through the EMDR International Association.
Where can I find additional information about EMDR?
Additional reliable information about EMDR can be found here: EMDR International Association.
We also recommend watching the following video from the EMDR International Association: Introduction to EMDR Therapy.