Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) relies on a client's own rapid, rhythmic eye movements, and is founded on the belief that these eye movements can weaken the intensity of emotionally charged memories. EMDR is most often used to treat PTSD or other traumas, but is also sometimes used for panic attacks, eating disorders, addictions, and anxiety. EMDR sessions can last up to 90 minutes, and usually starts with a client rating their level of distress. A therapist then typically moves their fingers in front of your face (or sometimes toe tapping or musical tones), asking you to follow along with your eyes, while you recall a traumatic event and all the sensations that come with it. You will gradually be guided by the therapist to shift thoughts from the traumatic experience to a more comforting one. The goal of EMDR is to make disturbing memories less immobilizing. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s EMDR specialists today.
I was trained through the EMDR Institute and have used EMDR to help many people who felt that talk therapy alone didn't help them recover from trauma.
— Natalie Feinblatt, Psychologist in Los Angeles, CAI am trained in EMDR and Flash Technique. Sometimes when we go through traumatic loss, we can get stuck. This is a therapeutic orientation that can assist in creating movement and helping us feel in a better mental and emotional state to move forward.
— Heather Taylor, Psychologist in Bellevue, WAI was trained in EMDR in 2016 and I have used it with almost clients I've seen since that time. It's an incredibly powerful treatment; it can do things that regular talk therapy simply can't do, and at a much faster pace. I've seen lives changed by EMDR and I truly believe it is one of the most effective therapies out there for those living with trauma and other types of "stuckness" (and the research supports this, too!).
— Charity Rauls, TherapistA highly effective approach for alleviating the distress associated with traumatic memories. EMDR therapy is particularly beneficial for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it is also effective for treating anxiety, depression, phobias, and more. This approach aims to reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact and allowing individuals to integrate these memories into their overall life experience without distress.
— George Rebing - Attento Counseling, Psychotherapist in Alpharetta, GAEMDR is one of the most wonderful therapy tools I have practiced professionally. It offers a resolution to big and small traumas and its application is endless. I am a EMDRIA certified therapist as well as a EMDR Consultant in Training (CIT).
— Lila Sideras, Licensed Professional Counselor in Tucson, AZEye movement desensitization and Reprocessing is form of psychotherapy used to relieve psychological stress. This therapy helps patients process challenging memories, thoughts and feelings which in turn helps you towards your journey to healing.
— Fatemah Dhirani, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York, NYI am intensively trained (Level I, II, and III) in EMDR and Attachment focused EMDR. I have applied this model effectively for my clients to process traumatic memories and experiences throughout the lifespan, instill a sense of resilience, and integrate memories into a greater narrative and understanding of the self. With each client, we co-create an individualized plan that uses EMDR, DBT for trauma, CPT, Trauma Focused CBT, and ACT.
— Kelsey Harper, Clinical Psychologist in Santa Monica, CACompleted 20+ hours of basic EMDR training.
— Colleen Steppa, Therapist in Phoenix, AZI am EMDR trained and use this to help clients process traumatic memories.
— Dr. Nikki Blakesley, Clinical Psychologist in Colorado Springs, COEMDR is my specialty and I am an EMDR Certified Therapist and an Approved Consultant.
— Meghan Gilliland, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in ,My primary modality for processing trauma is EMDR. I have been trained in it since 2009.
— Dr. Alissa Beuerlein, Counselor in Nashville, TNMany times, talking about trauma doesn’t give us relief from the trauma, and we need something more. work with a number of body-based therapeutic techniques to process trauma. I am inspired by Peter Levine’s work and knowledge about the holding of trauma in the body. I am also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). This is a type of therapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of trauma or disturbing events.
— Alice Robbins, Clinical Social Worker in Austin, TXI've been utilizing EMDR for a little over a year now and I'm still amazed at the results. Despite completing my consultation hours I continue to collaborate with consultants and colleagues to maintain the knowledge I've acquired and to grow.
— Nina Caricato, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in St Pete Beach, FLFrom emdria.com: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing "is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories."
— Keith Elias -Shetland Counseling, LLC, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Mountain Lakes, NJEMDR is a wonderful therapy created by Francine Shapiro that works by using bilateral stimulation to help unlock trauma from your nervous system and heal. We'll work together and take a history and discover what your presenting complaints are and what traumatic memories are associated with your current symptoms. Then we'll focus on you experiencing relaxation protocols to release stress as well as diving into a gentle exploration of your trauma history at your own pace.
— Jenn Zatopek, Licensed Professional Counselor in Fort Worth, TXEMDR (with creative arts focus!) - more accelerated approach to trauma processing that gets to the root of issues and uses creative arts practices to support integration.
— Leigh Shaw, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Tacoma, WAI am trained in Somatic and Attachment Based EMDR and have utilized it across diverse presenting problems and client backgrounds.
— Julie Wakeman, Licensed Professional Counselor in Nashville, TN