EMDR THERAPY
Let’s Take A Look At EMDR Therapy And How It Works
EMDR (Eye Movement, Desensitization, and Reprocessing) therapy is an evidence-based, holistic therapeutic intervention used to address a range of complex issues. The main goal of EMDR is to help individuals process distressing memories and to alleviate the emotional and physiological symptoms associated with upsetting events or experiences.
Through the use of gentle bilateral stimulation techniques and guided talk therapy, clients are able to safely access and heal deep, often painful and hidden aspects of themselves. Most impressively, EMDR therapy actually harnesses the brain’s innate resilience and healing capacity to rewire itself so that thoughts, feelings, and memories are no longer overwhelming.
Some theories suggest that the bilateral brain stimulation used during therapy may help to simulate the rapid eye movement phase of sleep (REM), which is thought to aid in memory processing. Others propose that EMDR therapy promotes new learning and cognitive shifts that reframe traumatic memories.
Since its development, EMDR has gained recognition as an effective, evidence-based method of treatment for addressing trauma and PTSD. It’s been embraced by the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Veteran Affairs/Department of Defense (VA/DOD)—just to name a few institutions.*
In fact, WHO recommends EMDR as the foremost effective treatment option for addressing trauma and PTSD in children, adolescents, and adults.** It is typically administered by licensed mental health professionals who have undergone specific training in the EMDR approach—as our therapists have.
How Was The Healing Power Of EMDR Discovered?
In the late 1980s, Dr. Francine Shapiro, then a graduate student in psychology, took a walk through the park to get away from a distressing memory. As she moved her eyes from side to side, taking in her surroundings, she noticed the thoughts disappeared—and when recalled, they were less intense overall.
With that insight, she began experimenting on friends, colleagues, and even herself, using techniques to reproduce the experience. Convinced that her method worked, Dr. Shapiro started to do further research and conduct clinical trials to prove its efficacy.
Flash forward over three decades later: EMDR therapy has become the gold standard for treating trauma and PTSD—but its usefulness doesn’t stop there. Eye Movement, Desensitization, and Reprocessing therapy also addresses anxiety, depression, phobias, and grief and loss.
It can help people reduce stress and overcome eating disorders, addiction, and issues with self-esteem or self-image. And because of its gentle, non-invasive nature, it’s perfect for children, teens, and adults. The bottom line is that EMDR therapy has the potential to provide healing on a neurological level that goes beyond symptom management to create profound and lasting change.
What Goes On In EMDR Therapy Sessions?
First, we’ll gather some information about your history, your experience(s) with trauma, and your current symptoms in order to develop and customize a treatment plan. We’ll explain the EMDR process, discuss coping strategies, and spend time establishing a therapeutic relationship built on trust and safety.
Then, when you’re ready, we’ll begin the EMDR work by having you identify a target traumatic memory, including associated negative beliefs and distressing emotions. As you focus on the target memory, you’ll engage in bilateral stimulation—most likely through side-to-side eye movements.
EMDR therapy uses these rapid eye movements to reduce the emotional intensity of the target memory. We’ll identify positive beliefs and pair them with that memory to replace negative beliefs, thoughts, and feelings. Afterward, we’ll have you identify any remaining tension or discomfort so that we may continue working on that from other angles.
Why Is EMDR Therapy So Effective?
Trauma and negative life experiences—often the root of many mental health conditions and personal challenges—get stuck in the brain, leading to distressing symptoms that can be difficult to manage. And because this kind of pain is not something you can easily think your way out of, it requires an in-depth approach to healing that goes beyond rationalization and discussion.
Unlike talk therapy and cognitive approaches to healing, EMDR works on a neurological level that transcends conventional treatment methods for addressing trauma and negative life experiences. Its focus on reprocessing memories helps release their emotional charge and reduce symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance.
At times, we also integrate other therapeutic methods into the treatment process. For instance, Internal Family Systems (IFS), also known as parts work, is extremely helpful for working with the wounded and protective parts of the self that often override one another. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), another gold standard in trauma treatment, pairs very well with EMDR by targeting negative thoughts and self-beliefs that are often borne out of adversity.
We’ll teach you new coping skills for emotional regulation, symptom relief, and the reduction of avoidance behaviors. You’ll gain a new perspective on yourself and your experience, leading to positive behavioral changes, increased self-awareness, and healthier relationships. And you can generally feel safer, happier, and more at peace with yourself.
EMDR Therapy Can Provide A Way Toward True Healing And Growth
Whether on its own or in conjunction with other modalities, EMDR ultimately enables you to heal core issues quickly and efficiently so you can leave the past behind and start living fully. Our therapists are here to validate your experiences while highlighting your strengths and collaborating to create solutions.
We’ll help you set goals, visualize change, normalize challenges, and embrace gradual growth and self-compassion as you gently work through things. In a relatively short amount of time, you can move forward with life and think about the past without being dominated by it. Through this profound unburdening, you’ll feel freer, more hopeful, and truly capable of navigating the future.
A Little About Our History And Our Founder Erica Cornelius
As a counselor for over ten years and the founder of In View Counseling Services, I’ve trained in Play Therapy, CBT, IFS, and other effective therapeutic techniques.
However, once I was introduced to the healing power of EMDR by Jacob Clark, a certified clinical trauma professional and EMDR Specialist with In View Counseling, I knew it was a game-changer. Plus, it pairs extremely well with IFS therapy, another trauma-informed modality we use. That’s why I began taking EMDR certification courses with EMDR Professional Training.
As a practice, Jacob and I wanted clients to find lasting relief quickly and more efficiently than other therapeutic modalities could afford. We also recognized the importance and value of giving clients a non-verbal way to express themselves and address distressing events or memories. This evidence-based approach has had so much success, we had to see what it was all about.
Once we started providing EMDR treatment, we began seeing the undeniable benefits and positive impact it can have on people—even those who have engaged in therapy before without success. That’s why we continue our training and consultations for EMDR to stay on top of the latest developments in application, techniques, and the integration of other approaches to healing. We’re proud to offer our EMDR treatment services to children, teens, and adults of all ages. needed to support your child at home.
EMDR Can’t Erase The Past, But It Can Help You Build A New Future
If you would like to learn more about how EMDR works or explore if it’s the right treatment option for you, Contact Us for your free, 15-minute consultation.
We’d love to help guide you toward a better tomorrow.
