About EMDR
EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING
EMDR Introduction
Phases of EMDR Treatment
INTRODUCTION
In the beginning, we get to know each other. I learn about you, your life, what matters most to you, and things that you want to see change. I ask questions about different parts of your life, including your childhood and family relationships. Once we have a good connection, we decide what painful experience(s) you want to focus on.
PREPARATION
Next, we spend time in preparation. We do activities to help you learn ways to feel calm when a difficult emotion rises up. I will show you a variety of techniques so you can try them out and see which ones you like best. The preparation stage is very important, we are teaching your system what to do when we gently and carefully begin to process painful memories from your past. We want to make sure you are ready to go there so the experience can be healing (and not harmful) for you.
RESOURCING
After preparation is complete we move to the Resourcing Phase. During this phase we are making sure you have the resources and tools that will help you when it’s time to process your painful memory. I guide you through activities that help you feel supported, protected, and cared for. We may focus on a time in life when things were going well for you. We may envision a future where life is as you want it to be. We may imagine all of your support people showing up to help you along the way. The Resourcing Phase is where we fill up with good feelings and good memories.
REPROCESSING
This is the part that most people think of when they envision EMDR. I will walk you through how to determine what target memories to process. Once that is decided, we will use bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tappers, etc) while you access the memory. You don’t have to make anything happen - there’s no right or wrong - you just follow whatever comes into your attention. We notice those things together, and help the memory be “digested” in a new way. I’m here to help if you begin to feel stressed or uncomfortable. We can keep the process gentle and go at the pace that feels okay to you.
REFLECTION
The final stage of EMDR is Reflection. We look back, take inventory, and celebrate the process of growth and healing. We notice how things have shifted and if our work is complete or if there is still more work to be done. As always, you are the decider of where we go next and I’m thrilled to be a part of your journey.
Explore EMDR Intensive Research
Intensive application of trauma-focused therapy seems to be well tolerated in patients with PTSD, enabling faster symptom reduction with similar, or even better results than weekly therapy, while reducing the risk that patients drop out prematurely.
The economy is compelling: even compared to other trauma therapy, the intensive format may decrease treatment time, because of time not spent on a) checking in at the beginning of each session, b) addressing current crises and concerns, c) focusing on stabilizing and coping skills that the client won’t need after trauma healing, or d) assisting the client in regaining composure at the end of the session.
Intensive EMDR treatment is feasible and is indicative of reliable improvement in PTSD symptoms in a very short time frame.
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