How EMDR therapy works!

EMDR therapy, short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a powerful therapeutic approach that can help individuals heal from traumatic experiences. When undergoing EMDR therapy, it is crucial to work with a qualified therapist who has received proper training from EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) to ensure the highest level of care.

During an EMDR session, the therapist creates a safe and supportive environment for the client. The therapist will first conduct an assessment to gather information about the client's history and identify specific traumatic memories or distressing events that need to be addressed.

Once the target memories have been identified, the therapist guides the client through a series of bilateral stimulation techniques. This can include eye movements, tapping, or auditory stimuli. These techniques are designed to stimulate both sides of the brain and facilitate processing of traumatic memories.

Throughout the session, the therapist acts as a trauma-informed clinician, providing guidance and support as needed. They help clients navigate their emotions and sensations that may arise during reprocessing. The therapist will ask you, “what came up?” or something similar, and then without trying to make sense of it you let us know…and slowly over time the pieces start to come together and you start to make the internal connections that were broken a long time ago when you witnessed or experienced abuse or some other trauma and you recognize, “Huh, I am good enough.” “I am safe.” “I am worthy.” “I am loved.”

The goal of EMDR therapy is not just to desensitize individuals from their traumatic experiences but also to reprocess these memories in a way that allows for healing and resolution. With each session, clients often find relief from distressing symptoms associated with trauma.

It's important to note that EMDR therapy should only be conducted by trained professionals in a safe environment. If you or someone you know is seeking this type of therapy, it is recommended to reach out to a licensed therapist who specializes in trauma treatment and has received proper EMDRIA training.

Research shows, one of the reasons that EMDR is so successful is because it takes the therapist’s bias out of the equation and emphasizes a feeling of safety with the therapist. Almost as though you have a witness to your experiences, or a safe attachment figure with you. Believe it or not, your therapist likes you and sees you for all the ooey gooey goodness that you can’t see for yourself. But if we just tell you that, it doesn’t land. It’s much more powerful when it is internally discovered by you.