EMDR is a treatment technique that facilitates the reprocessing of impactful/traumatic memories through the use of bilateral stimulation (BLS) ─ tapping, auditory tones, and/or eye movements.

EMDR is an 8 phase process and is a structured, evidence-based approach.

EMDR can help folks who are struggling with feeling stuck in the past and have found cognitive/logic based approaches less effective over time. If past experiences with therapy have left you wanting more, EMDR could be an alternative option for deeper work.

Learn more about EMDR here: https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/

1) History & Treatment Planning: Discuss client's history and develop a treatment plan with attention to traumatic events to reprocess. Assess client's internal and external resources.

2) Preparation: Establish a therapeutic alliance. Explain EMDR therapy process and set expectations. Address client's concerns and questions. Prepare clients with specific techniques to cope with emotional disturbance that may arise.

3) Assessment: Identify the event to reprocess including images, beliefs, feelings, and sensations. Establish initial measures as baselines before reprocessing: Subjective Units of Distress (SUD) and Validity of Cognition (VOC)

4) Desensitization: Begin eye movements, taps, or other dual attention BLS* while client thinks about the traumatic event. Focus on decreasing client's SUD until it reduces to zero (or 1 if appropriate) allowing new thoughts, images, feelings, and sensations to emerge. *BLS: bilateral stimulation

5) Installation: Strengthen a positive belief that the client wants to associate with the target event until it feels completely true.

6) Body Scan: The client is asked to hold in mind both the target event and the positive belief while scanning the body from head to toe. Process any lingering disturbance from the body with dual attention BLS.

7) Closure: Assist client to return to a state of calm in the present moment whether the reprocessing is complete or not. Reprocessing of an event is complete when the client feels neutral about it (SUD=0), the positive belief feels completely true (VOC=7), and the body is completely clear of disturbance.

8) Reevaluation: At the beginning of each new session, therapist and client discuss recently processed memories to ensure that distress is still low and positive cognition is strong. Future targets and directions for continued treatment are determined.

• PTSD & C-PTSD

• Single Event Traumas (car accident, natural disaster, etc.)

• Depression

• Anixety

• OCD

• Panic Attacks

• Complicated Grief

• Dissociation

• Disturbing Memories

• Phobias

• Chronic Pain/ Chronic Illness

• Performance Anxiety

• Stress

• Addictions

• Sexual and/or Physical Abuse

• Body Dysmorphia

• Eating Disorders/Disordered Eating

• Personality Disorders

For more information on EMDR: www.emdria.org

Maybe. EMDR can be highly effective, but it’s not right for everyone. There is no guarantee EMDR is a good fit - even if you start the process. Your clinician will work closely with you to assess if EMDR is right for you.

Some common circumstances that could rule someone out for EMDR or could delay/extend the process are as follows:

• Current, active suicidal ideation

• Current, active homicidal ideation

• Recent release from psychiatric hospitalization, IOP, or PHP

• Psychosis

• Physical, medical conditions such as stroke or seizure

• Current, active use of some substances (this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis)

• Higher levels of dissociation (you will be individually assessed by your clinician for readiness for EMDR based on level of dissociation)

Your safety is the most important factor and will be treated as a priority.