Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a form of therapy that helps people heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy has been extensively researched and has demonstrated effectiveness for trauma.

About EMDR Therapy

61% of adults have experienced a traumatic experience by age 18. Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, they may not be processed without help. Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create feelings of overwhelm, of being back in that moment, or of being “frozen in time.”

EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.”

Laurel Parnell, Ph.D "Resource Tapping"

EMDR Overview from the EMDR International Assoc.

How is EMDR Different?

EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue, or homework between sessions. EMDR, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. Part of the therapy includes alternating eye movements, sounds, or taps. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.

https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy

EMDR therapy integrates elements of many traditional psychological orientations and is based on the adaptive information processing model (AIP). The AIP model hypothesizes that there is an inherent information processing system in the brain that gets blocked when traumatic or adverse events occur.

These systems cause these events to get locked in the brain with the original picture, sounds, thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. Whenever a reminder of the traumatic or adverse event comes up, those pictures, thoughts, feelings, and sensations continue to be triggered.

According to Dr. Shapiro, many emotional problems and disorders are manifestations of these unprocessed traumatic memories that are stored in the brain. EMDR therapy works on helping the brain reprocess these traumatic memories. As a result, emotional and psychological disorders are alleviated.

EMDR therapy has been used with children and adolescents with a wide variety of emotional and psychological problems including PTSD, anxiety, phobias, depression, attachment disorders, and more. The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare has now accepted EMDR therapy as an evidence-based approach for children. I also utilize Attachment Focused and Resource Tapping forms of EMDR.

“If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.”

- Brene Brown

View the Research

EMDR Resources

EMDR Therapy for Adults

EMDR Therapy for Veterans

EMDR Therapy and Chronic Pain: Client Handout

EMDR Therapy and Depression

How do I know if my child needs a mental health professional?

Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy

Testimonial

I Believe She Saved my Live

"Eight months ago, I woke up in the middle of the night gasping for air. I was hyperventilating, crying uncontrollably and felt like I was losing grip on reality. As someone who always prided myself on having it together, I had pushed myself beyond the point of burnout and fallen into a deep depression. Dr. Teri was there for me when I needed help the most, and I truly believe she saved my life. Through powerful therapy sessions and EMDR, Dr.Teri helped guide me from one of the darkest periods I've ever experienced to a place of strength and peace. Her compassion, intelligence, and dedication are unmatched. She created a personalized therapy plan tailored specifically for me, and I began seeing improvements after just a few sessions. I've learned practical tools to manage stress and anxiety, and she's helped me shift my perspective in ways I never thought possible. Working with Dr. Teri has allowed me to become a better version of myself, which has positively impacted everyone around me. I cannot recommend Dr. Teri highly enough."