EMDR

“What is EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing?”                                                                                                   

EMDR treatment uses bilateral stimulation (stimulate both sides of the brain) in the form of back and forth eye movements, alternating sound, or vibrations. These appear to stimulate an intrinsic capacity of the human brain to resolve emotional disturbance and gain adaptive insights which often occurs spontaneously during dreaming (rapid eye movement) sleep. One or more sessions may be required before the therapist can agree for this type of therapy.

  “The aim of EMDR treatment is to achieve the most profound and comprehensive treatment effects in the shortest period of time” (from the EMDR International Association’s Definition of EMDR)

Organizational Recommendations

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (2013) Guidelines for the Management of Conditions Specifically Related to Stress. Geneva, Switzerland: Author. Trauma-focused CBT and EMDR are the only psychotherapies recommended for children, adolescents and adults with PTSD.

AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION (2004)

Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Acute Stress Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Arlington,VA: American Psychiatric Association Practice Guidelines. EMDR therapy was determined to be an effective treatment of trauma.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (2017)

VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder. Washington, DC: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs and Health Affairs, Department of Defense. EMDR was given the highest level of recommendation and placed in the category of three “trauma-focused psychotherapies with the strongest evidence from clinical trials . . . These treatments have been tested in numerous clinical trials, in patients with complex presentations and comorbidities, compared to active control conditions, have long-term follow-up, and have been validated by research teams other than the developers.”

Compared to traditional forms of “Cognitive-Behavioral” therapy, EMDR has proven to be extremely effective in treating even the most difficult issues in an extraordinarily short amount of time. Many clients also find EMDR easier to benefit from, in that it does not require the disciplined mental “work” of most conventional approaches to counseling. Perhaps most importantly, clients utilizing EMDR appear to have less chance of their problems returning in the future after treatment is complete.  

"What symptoms/problems can EMDR help?"

*Trauma, Childhood Issues: PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder

*Chronic, Severe Depression & Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depression)

*Panic Disorder, Phobias, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic  
  Stress Disorder, & Generalized Anxiety Disorder
 
*Low Self Esteem, Lack of Assertiveness, Difficulty Making Decisions, Procrastination
 
*Dental Anxiety

 * Anger Problems & Stress Management Issues
 
*Grief & Loss
 
*Dissociative Disorders
 
*Eating Disorders (Compulsive Overeating) & Other Body Image Issues
 
*Sexual Addictions & Other Addictive/Compulsive Behavior Problems
 
*Substance Abuse/Chemical Addiction (including Smoking Cessation)
 
*Sleep Problems (Insomnia, Nightmares, Sleepwalking), Headaches/Migraines, Teeth-Grinding)
 
*Trust & Intimacy Issues
 
*Peak Performance / Personal Success:
        Business, Sports, Networking, Communication, Thesbians, Dancers 
 
Research

EMDR Therapy is one of the most researched psychotherapeutic techniques with over 20 and more controlled studies that have consistently found that EMDR therapy  effectively decreases/eliminates the symptoms of post traumatic stress for the majority of clients.  The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, the United Kingdom Department of Health, the Israeli National Council for Mental Health, and many other international health and governmental agencies have declared EMDR Therapy as a effective treatment for PTSD.  Further information maybe optained from http://www.emdria.org  or The EMDR Institute, www.emdr.com 

Helpful Forms

Click here to view and print forms for your appointment.

Click Here