“Trauma is hell on earth. Trauma resolved is a gift from the gods.”
SERVICES > Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a mental health treatment technique. This method involves moving your eyes a specific way while you process traumatic memories. Trauma is like a wound that your brain hasn’t been allowed to heal. Because it didn’t have the chance to heal, your brain didn’t receive the message that the danger was over. EMDR's goal is to help you and your brain become “unstuck” and to receive the message that you are no longer in danger. EMDR also helps you heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. Evidence-based scientific studies have shown and proved that EMDR is one of the most effective treatment modalities in the world.
Why is EMDR treatment used?
EMDR therapy doesn’t require talking in detail about a distressing issue. EMDR instead focused on thr changing emotions, thoughts or behaviors that result from a distressing experience (trauma). This allows your brain to resume a natural healing process. EMDR relies on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, a theory about how your brain stores memories. This theory developed by Francine Shapiro, PhD, who also developed EMDR recognizes that your brain stores normal and trauma memories differently. Sometimes we experience something so traumatizing that our brains get “stuck” in that moment and are unable to process and release the memory. EMDR therapy uses a variety of techniques, including eye movements, to help the brain process them in a healthy way.
How EMDR Therapy Works
During each EMDR session, you will work with your EMDR therapist to identify a specific memory or event that is causing you distress. Once that memory has been identified, you will begin a series of bilateral eye movements (or auditory/tactile stimuli) while focusing on the memory. These bilateral eye movements help to stimulate both sides of your brain, which allows for the processing of information to take place more quickly. As you focus on the memory while doing these eye movements (or other stimuli), you may start to notice that the intensity of the emotions you are feeling starts to lessen. You may also start to see the memory in a different light, or from a different perspective.
After each session, you will work with your EMDR therapist to process what you have experienced during the session. EMDR therapy may be a good option for you if you are struggling with symptoms of PTSD or other mental health issues related to trauma.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
Our experienced EMDR counsellors have advanced training to support clients. Please email us or book a consultation to find out more!
What conditions and problems does EMDR treat?
The most widespread use of EMDR is for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental healthcare providers also use it in the treatment of the following conditions:
Anxiety disorders: Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias and social anxiety/phobia, performance anxiety
Depression disorders: Major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder and illness-related depression.
Chronic illness, pain and medical issues
Bipolar disorder
Dissociative identity disorder: amnesia and depersonalization or derealization disorder.
Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder
Gender dysphoria (feeling as though your gender is different from the one assigned to you at birth).
Grief and loss
Violence, abuse and sexual assault
Obsessive-compulsive disorders: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), body dysmorphic disorder and hoarding disorder.
Personality disorders: Borderline personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder.
Trauma disorders: Acute stress disorder, PTSD and adjustment disorder.
Substance use disorders
Do you have any questions about our EMDR services?
