EMDR FAQ

EMDR has been successful in treating numerous difficulties such as:

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
~ Anxiety and Panic Attacks
~ Grief and Loss
~ Physical Abuse
~ Sexual Abuse
~ Emotional Abuse
~ Depression
~ Addictions
~ Eating Disorders
~ Phobias
~ Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder
~ Phantom Limb Pain
~ Peak Performance
~ Repeated Unhealthy Relationship Patterns
~ Work Place or Home Life Stressors

…But it won’t change reality or permanent biological conditions (organic pathology).

Events contributing to trauma:

~ It happened unexpectedly
~ You were unprepared for it
~ You felt powerless to prevent it
~ It happened repeatedly
~ Someone was intentionally cruel
~ It happened in childhood

Emotional and psychological causes of trauma that are commonly overlooked:

~ Falls or sports injuries
~ Surgery (especially in the first 3 years of life)
~ The sudden death of someone close
~ A car accident
~ The breakup of a significant relationship
~ A humiliating or deeply disappointing experience
~ The discovery of a life-threatening illness or condition

Emotional and psychological symptoms of trauma:

~ Shock, denial, or disbelief
~ Anger, irritability, mood swings
~ Guilt, shame, self-blame
~ Feeling sad or hopeless
~ Confusion, difficulty concentrating
~ Anxiety and fear
~ Withdrawing from others
~ Feeling disconnected or numb

Physical symptoms of trauma:

~ Insomnia or nightmares
~ Being startled easily
~ Racing heartbeat
~ Aches and pains
~ Edginess and agitation
~ Muscle tension
~ Fatigue

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a combination of complimentary therapies that helps people heal from a spectrum of events. It has been successful in treating most problems, from complex trauma to disturbing life experiences. EMDR has received global recognition for relieving the effects of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) caused by traumatic events.

Such events that cause PTSD can be rape, combat, various types of abuse, and auto accidents. EMDR has also been successful in helping people who feel distress in life to heal and feel more whole after stressful situations. Some of these situations include divorce, grief and loss, and life changes.

Frequently, when an incident occurs in a person’s life, it can be a challenge to find a way to process the event in a healthy, adaptive way. The event can become a “stuck” or “locked” memory, thus creating symptoms that are distressing or uncomfortable. Various emotional symptoms can occur, as well as disturbing thoughts, images, and even physical ramifications.

Without treatment, it can continue to be displayed in outward, detrimental behaviors. People who are experiencing distress in life, and are not finding a way to fix it on his or her own, can feel confident EMDR therapy can help in finding relief.

EMDR is constructed to help a person recognize and process the “locked” or “stuck” pieces so that the symptoms can decrease. This, in turn, will help a person feel healthier and effective and less distressed.

EMDR enables the brain’s natural processing system to integrate the distressing information. EMDR does not delete the memory, but how we know treatment is complete is when a person can remember the experience without having an emotional charge attached to it.

At first glance, EMDR can appear overwhelming and extremely confusing. We understand your concerns. EMDR is not physically harmful or painful, and you are always in control of the flow of process. It is not a form of hypnosis, and you are always aware of your surroundings. EMDR is an accelerated form of therapy.

What can be resolved in ongoing traditional therapy can be resolved on an average of 16-20 sessions with EMDR, and with better results. This brief description does not address the complexities of the process, but when you call, we will be happy to answer any questions you might have about EMDR.

At All Seasons Counseling, LLC, we are passionate about the process and outcomes of EMDR therapy. Our EMDR therapist, Cherie Smith, MA, LPC, is a trained EMDR professional that will walk with you through the process. She is a credentialed provider through the Barb Maiberger Institute, located in Boulder, Colorado and a Full Member of EMDRIA.

For a more comprehensive definition of EMDR please visit International Association of EMDR at www.emdria.org

For further references, please visit:

http://www.emdrnetwork.org/

http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/pst/34/3/307/