EMDR Therapy
“Trauma is hell on earth.
Trauma resolved is a gift from the gods.”
-Peter A. Levine
Feeling Caught in a Loop of Stress and Hurt?
Struggling with the persistent echoes of trauma, the relentless presence of anxiety, or the tangled web of relationship complexities can make each day feel like an uphill battle. These experiences often leave you feeling isolated, misunderstood, and ensnared in a cycle of pain. But here’s the truth: there is a way out. And EMDR may be a deeply supportive approach for you on this journey back to your original wholeness.
Could EMDR Chart Your Course Forward?
Absolutely. EMDR has helped countless people find peace, hope, and transformation. EMDR has a way of gently yet powerfully unlocking the memories and experiences that have been holding you back. With EMDR, you can reprocess experiences in a safe and structured way, allowing you to integrate the lessons and move forward with greater ease, wisdom, and resilience.
So, can EMDR help you? I believe it can. But I also know that every person’s journey is unique, and what works for one person might not work for another. What I can promise is that EMDR has the potential to be a powerful tool on your path to healing. And I’m here to explore and discover what works best for you.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR, short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a research-backed therapeutic approach aimed at helping people in processing and healing from traumatic life experiences and memories. At its essence, EMDR therapy acknowledges that the impact of trauma can persist in our minds, influencing our daily functioning, behaviors, and emotional well-being long after the events have occurred. Through a structured eight-phase process, EMDR involves recalling distressing images while receiving various forms of bilateral sensory input, such as side-to-side eye movements or gentle tapping.
Since its inception in the late 80s by Francine Shapiro, EMDR has garnered recognition as an effective treatment for PTSD and anxiety. This method leverages the innate healing capacities of your brain, assisting it in reprocessing these memories to significantly alleviate their lingering effects. Rather than feeling trapped in the cycle of reliving trauma, EMDR encourages a shift towards viewing memories with greater detachment, freeing them from the intense emotions once attached. Ultimately, EMDR aims not only to alleviate symptoms associated with traumatic memories but also to foster emotional healing, empowering you to embrace a more present and fulfilling life.
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Since its development by Francine Shapiro in the late ’80s, EMDR gained recognition for treating PTSD and anxiety, endorsed by esteemed organizations.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy helps with a wide variety of emotional and psychological problems, which include trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression, attachment disorders, and negative self-beliefs that contribute to low self-esteem. This practice is especially beneficial for processing intense traumatic life events, such as:
- Childhood physical abuse and/or neglect
- Sexual assault, abuse or rape
- Death of a loved one or a pet
- Military combat experience
- Serious health issues or near-death experiences
- Vehicle accidents
- Witnessing or experiencing domestic abuse
- Experiencing an unexpected incident where there was harm/fear of harm to self or loved one
EMDR can also be used to improve emotional resources and build greater confidence and self-esteem.
Preparing for a future event? EMDR is effective, helping you experience a positive result and “live into” the sense of success.
EMDR, Trauma & The Brain
Many emotional challenges and disturbing experiences result from unprocessed trauma memories that are stored in the brain. EMDR therapy helps your brain to access and reprocess these traumatic memories, which sets in motion your natural healing processes.
Experiencing trauma prompts your brain to protect you by storing information and sending warning signals when reminders of the event arise. These signals aim to prevent re-experiencing the disturbing event, creating a defense mechanism for future encounters with related stimuli.
This can get exhausting!
You may find you are always feeling tense or on edge, feeling unsafe in apparently safe situations. You may find yourself feeling irritable or forgetful. Or you may be reliving painful memories through nightmares and/or flashbacks.
Over time, these symptoms appear as “normal” to the brain, which sets these responses as a pattern in your mind-body system.
EMDR therapy helps your brain to reconnect with the original event in order to better understand, process, and repair the original trauma.
Once you properly process the memories, your brain can then turn off the danger signals and move forward from being stuck in the past.
Liberated from the brain’s danger alarm, you find relief, no longer haunted by the past, paving the way for self-determined living.
What to Expect from EMDR Therapy
After confirming EMDR’s suitability, we delve into its eight phases, collaboratively addressing the specific issue you aim to work on effectively.
Before beginning, we will ensure that you have access to positive, affirming resources and prepare you for the session ahead of time so that you feel resourced and ready.
We will then dedicate a full session or multiple EMDR sessions to address the memory or issue that we identified as the focus. A session typically lasts between 50-90 minutes. I will guide you along the way as we navigate the memory, utilizing “bilateral stimulation” in the form of either eye movements, sounds, or taps.
I will also guide you to notice what comes up as you experience the memory, images, feelings, or beliefs regarding the event. The sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps are repeated until the event becomes less disturbing.
You always have a voice in the process and can stop at any point if you feel the need. Prior to ending session, we will do a body scan or other self check-in to ensure you feel centered and ready to step into the world.
You can also check out my blog on EMDR or the EMDR butterfly hug resources below.
Q & A
How do I know if EMDR is right for me?
EMDR is a great fit if you’re struggling with trauma, anxiety, or stuck memories. We’ll discuss your specific situation and determine if EMDR aligns with your goals.
What happens during an EMDR session?
We’ll work together to identify targets, develop a coping plan, and then engage in bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sound) while focusing on the traumatic memory.
Will I relive the trauma during EMDR?
No, EMDR is designed to help you process memories without reliving them. You’ll be in control throughout the process.
How many EMDR sessions are needed?
It varies depending on your specific situation and progress. We’ll work together to determine the best course of treatment.
Is EMDR safe?
Absolutely! EMDR is a research-backed approach that prioritizes your safety and well-being.
Can I use EMDR for performance enhancement or confidence building?
Yes! EMDR can help you reprocess limiting beliefs and unlock your potential.
To learn more about EMDR, you can read my blog on EMDR vs Brainspotting and/or book a free consult now. You can also check out the resources below.
“Luna is one of those people who brings with her a sense of calm, understanding, confidence, and professionalism that is rare to see all in one person. It takes only moments to recognize these qualities and appreciate how that translates to her care for all aspects of the work that she does.”
– CL, Oakland, California