Specialized Services in EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful and effective therapy for the treatment of trauma. EMDR therapy incorporates bilateral stimulation into a comprehensive approach that processes and releases information trapped in the mind and body, freeing people from disturbing images and body sensations, debilitating emotions, and restrictive beliefs. This revolutionary therapy has helped millions of clients of all ages recover from such traumas as war, accidents, assaults, disasters, and childhood abuse. EMDR has been extensively researched as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and is considered to be an evidence-based therapy.
A significant part of effective Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is assisting in a person’s ability to establish internal personal resources. For example, one resource used in EMDR healing is the creation of a Peaceful Place within oneself, which is done by utilizing bilateral stimulation to solidify a sense of peace and well being in one's brain. Once established this Peaceful Place is available to access and leverage when working with a disturbing memory.
Training
• Transforming Trauma with EMDR, Level 1 and 2, Parnell Institute
• Advanced Attachment Focused EMDR, Level 3, Parnell Institute
• Integrated Resource Protocol, Alison Teal, LMFT
• EMDRIA Certification (in process)
How Does EMDR Help Overcome Trauma & Anxiety?
It's uncertain how psychotherapy works neurobiologically or in the brain. What we do know, however, is that when a person experiences a disturbing event and is very upset, their brain cannot process information as it normally does. The event seems to get stuck and remembering the trauma may feel as bad as it did going through it the first time. The images, feelings, sounds, and smells remain active and vivid. Having these types of memories leave negative effects and interfere with a person's emotional health and relationships.
EMDR seems to have a direct effect on how the brain processes information. After a successful EMDR session, a person no longer relives the upsetting event and the associated feelings and images. The memory of the event is still there but it becomes less disturbing. What happens during an EMDR session, seems to emulate what occurs in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Therefore, EMDR can be seen as a physiologically based therapy that allows people to reduce the difficult emotions associated with a traumatic or upsetting experience.
Text source: EMDR International Association