What is EMDR?
The goal of EMDR is to reduce current day distress by attending to your past experiences. EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the client to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements). This technique is used to reduce the vividness and emotion associated with the traumatic memories.
EMDR has been shown to be effective for one-time acute traumatic events and for healing from chronic abuse.
What is Trauma?
Judith Herman explains in her seminal book, Trauma and Recovery that “traumatic events are extraordinary, not because they occur rarely, but rather because they overwhelm the ordinary human adaptations to life”.
A traumatic experience could include the normal markers of life like childbirth, the death of a loved one, or even feeling like the middle school outcast. What makes these experiences a trauma is not their uniqueness but the impact on the beliefs about ourselves and the world around us. Any event that shatters our own sense of safety, identity, or violated the boundaries of our body could be a traumatic event.
If an event has had a lingering impact on your sense of self, mood, ability to sleep, or energy levels than it may be helpful for us to think of that event as a trauma. An individual’s response to the same event will vary depending on their resources, support, and shared understanding of the event. Often times, feeling alone, not believed, or uncared for in the aftermath of a traumatic event will have a larger impact on overall wellbeing than the event itself.
Is EMDR only for people with "big" traumas?
No, EMDR has been shown to be effective in treating people will all different types of adverse experiences. EMDR is appropriate for anyone who’s sene of self and experience of safety has been disrupted. EMDR can be used for the whole spectrum of human experiences that have caused pain, suffering, and lingering distress. If you feel like you need help, reach out. We can discuss together is EMDR is appropriate.
What is an EMDR session like?
I use a symptom-based approach to organizing our work together. This means we will spend some time figuring our what you want less of (or more of) in our life. For example, you may want to snap at your partner less and feel a greater sense of confidence at work.
From there we will decide on which life events and memories contribute to these ongoing unwanted thoughts, feelings or behaviors. Once we have this road map, we will begin reprocessing memories together. I’ll keep you in the loop every step of the way.
You can read more about the structure and experience of an EMDR session on EMDIA’s website.
How many sessions will I need?
Each person is different and there is no standard time period for healing. The length of time needed for treatment will depend on your presenting symptoms, unique history, and current supports.
However, most clients report some feelings of relief and a reduction in disturbance within a few sessions. The length of treatment will be determined collaboratively to ensure we are continuing to make progress towards your goals.
Does trauma have to include physical violence?
No, Trauma does not have to include physical violence. Emotional and financial abuse can be just as devastating to our sense of self. Often these types of experiences consist of an ongoing power dynamic that is hard to describe in a singe event. This type of abuse usually shows up in our most intimate relationships including with the parent/children dynamic or a romantic parter.