EMDR Therapy

Many people who come for counseling have experienced some level of psychological, emotional trauma in their lives. Trauma informed therapy considers the impact these things have on people's mental health. The brain health aspect of counseling considers what neuroscience research is discovering about the neuro-physiology associated with the thoughts and emotions associated with various behaviors and overall mental health.

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR as part of psychotherapy is often effective in the treatment of many situations where memories or incidents from the past continue to bother you. The impact of these memories can cause depression, anxiety, relationship conflicts, intimacy difficulties, parenting problems, and many other issues that cause us to react to situations and people based on what we went through in the past. EMDR sets you free to live in the present.

EMDR is different from counseling or "talk therapy" that you may have had in the past. If you decide to participate in EMDR, your therapist will first wok on strengthening positive and calming resources and then help you to deal effectively with past memories and present "triggers" that upset you.

Part of the EMDR process will involve what we call "bilateral stimulation" where you will be asked to think of a distressing memory and at the same time pay attention to a bilateral stimulation such as following the therapist's finger with you eyes or holding a small object in your hand which gently vibrates.

While this will likely feel odd at first, it is designed to help your brain work on distressing material so it won't upset you as much and to help you feel more comfortable in the present.

EMDR is recognized as an effect treatment for trauma related problems by a number of accrediting organizations such as:

  • The American Psychiatric Association

  • The VA and Department of Defense

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

  • World Health Organization

Here some other websites and resources that you might find helpful.

Recommended book: Getting Past Your Past by Francine Shapiro, PhD

Call Ken Mowery

970 986-4206