EMDR THERAPY
MOVE FREEly from the lingering effects of trauma
WHAT IS EMDR THERAPY?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured, phase-based therapy model that centers on the idea that our brain has a natural capacity for healing from trauma, so long as we have the necessary elements in place. This is the same way that our bodies naturally move toward healing. For instance, when we have a scrape on our knee, our bodies intrinsically work to heal it. If, however, there’s sand in the wound, we have to remove the sand first to allow the body to do what it needs to do. With EMDR, we identify and remove blocks in the brain’s neural networks to resume self-healing. People who undergo EMDR treatment tend to report feeling lighter, freer, and significantly less impacted by the trauma they experienced, almost as if they are looking at it from a far away distance.
HOW DOES EMDR THERAPY WORK?
When a trauma occurs, our brains are often unable to fully process what happened. The original images, sensations, thoughts, and feelings associated with the trauma get stuck in the brain. This is why it can feel like we’re right back in that moment, reliving the experience through flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts or memories. EMDR utilizes several neuroscience components to replace these emotional memories with resourceful, adaptive information that allows self-healing to continue. Your brain does all the work! My role as the therapist is to be with you on the journey and provide direction through the process.
“THE KEY TO HEALING IS NOT JUST KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED BUT TRANSFORMING HOW THE MIND, BODY AND SOUL STILL REMEMBER IT. MOST OF ALL, HEALING IS AN ACT OF ACCEPTING, RECLAIMING AND BEING ABLE TO LOVE OUR MOST WOUNDED AND REJECTED YOUNG SELVES.”
Janina Fisher
WHAT DOES EMDR THERAPY DO?
Reduce the distress of trauma
Reduce symptoms of PTSD (flashbacks, nightmares, startle response, emotion dysregulation, etc.)
Increase our capacity to tolerate difficult emotions
Improve our ability to maintain relationships
Relieve body-based tension, pain, tightness, etc.
Improve self-esteem
EMDR THERAPY CAN TREAT:
PTSD and C-PTSD
Physical abuse or assault
Sexual abuse or assault
Emotional abuse
Neglect
Grief and loss
Depression
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Chronic pain and illness
Working with dissociative disorders requires advanced training for EMDR therapy. I currently do not have this training, and will update this site when I do.
EDMR THERAPY: faqs
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Trauma is anything that shakes up our hold on reality. We are often taught to limit our thinking of trauma to abuse, car accidents, natural disasters, death, or assaults. Trauma can also occur when the parts that make us feel most alive, precious, and human are dismissed, punished, rejected, or humiliated. This includes racialized and state-sanctioned trauma.
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EMDR therapy is a consent-based model, in that 1) there needs to be significant trust in the therapeutic relationship to do trauma healing work, and 2) protective parts or defensive coping mechanisms need to agree to move toward the trauma. In terms of the latter, if there is not that agreement, then we spend time building that trust. Additionally, you are not required to share any of the details of the traumatic event with me. You get to decide how much to share depending on what feels right for you. This will not negatively impact your ability to process; in fact, it might allow you to go farther in processing.
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If you feel restricted, confined, or distressed by emotional memories of the past, then EMDR could be a good fit for you.
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Some clients only want to do EMDR, whereas some want to integrate it with other forms of therapy. We can talk about what works best for you.
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We start with a comprehensive historical overview of what brought you to this current moment. This allows us to identify pivotal moments that impact the way you currently understand yourself and the trauma. We spend ample time making sure you feel fully resourced and safe before we begin to reprocess the trauma. This is a collaborative process.
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Some clients want to continue processing during every session, whereas others want to intersperse processing with other sessions. EMDR is flexible, so it’s not necessary to do it every time we meet.
“Being fluent in your body's language is the antidote to trauma.”
Natalie Y. Gutiérrez
