EMDR
(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Private Pay ONLY 

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an effective therapy method/modality to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences. It was created back in the 1980's by Francine Shapiro and has had a lot of research to support its efficacy with treating trauma and other disorders as well.  It is different from traditional talk therapy as it does not require detailed or extensive discussions about the distressing life event/s; however, it is important for the client to be able to recall and hold those life events in their body and mind while staying within their window of tolerance. Clinician will work directly with client on staying present and in the moment. EMDR also does not require any 'homework' that is required in other traditional modalities of therapy like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and Narrative therapies. EMDR is designed to help resolve unprocessed traumatic stress in the brain, along with helping the brain to create adaptive pathways for them and their associated memories. It has been shown to be helpful in addressing a number of challenges such as:

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• Anxiety

• Panic attacks

• Phobias

• Depression

• PTSD, trauma and stress-related issues

• Grief and loss

• Performance anxiety

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Other modalities of treatment can be used in conjunction with EMDR; however, EMDR is a faster treatment model than most and can often move through a target memory within 6 sessions. It is a combination of cognitive and somatic work and is holistic in nature.

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What EMDR is NOT:

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• EMDR is not hypnosis - during the treatment, the client is conscience and aware of their surroundings at all times, which is fundamental to the bilateral stimulation, which makes EMDR effective.

• EMDR does not erase negative memories - what EMDR does is desensitize the memories impact on one's parasympathetic nervous system and aids the brain with creating a more adaptive way of perceiving the memory.

• EMDR does not implant or manipulate memories - instead, EMDR works on the idea that the brain will heal itself. EMDR just takes a targeted memory and the negative cognitions associated with it, and intentionally creates a bilateral stimulation similar to REM sleep, to aid the brain with its own healing process.