5 Things to Know About EMDR

Oct 5

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the Mind-Body Therapies we offer at Nourished Wellness Group. This structured, 8-phase treatment, allows you to process difficult experiences and heal more deeply. This evidence-based model of care has been proven to provide relief from a number of different struggles including emotional trauma and adverse experiences (Shapiro, 2014).

“The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. Using the detailed protocols and procedures learned in EMDR therapy training sessions, clinicians help clients activate their natural healing processes” (EMDR Institute INC., 2020).

Our brain’s main job is to keep us alive. When we move through uncomfortable and stressful moments, as we all inevitably will, we can move into stress responses. At times, our brains may even fragment our memory of the experience as an attempt to protect us. As a result, these memories are not fully processed like our memories of other experiences. This can show up by way of emotions, memories, physical sensations, thoughts, and images. EMDR can allow our brains to finish processing so that we can experiences these memories differently.

5 Things to Know About EMDR

You will ‘process’ differently.
EMDR will look and feel differently than traditional talk therapy. In traditional talk therapy, you are often discussing your struggles with your therapist and actively talking about the issues.
Instead of talking about the details, Clients are walked through thinking about these stuck points and describing what they notice about their experience as they do.
Before Processing, You will Learn skills to help you cope.
You and your therapist will go through several to help you manage your stress and to support you in coping with any emotions that may come up during the course of your treatment.
This is an important step! Having the skills to move through emotions is beneficial for all of us. These techniques are regulating to your nervous system as well (learn more about your nervous system here).
It can provide more rapid RESULTS.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation and eye movements that allow for deeper processing as well as give you something to focus on as you process.
“EMDR therapy resulted in greater reductions on all measures posttest, indicating a rapid decline in trauma symptoms, depression, and anxiety (Shapiro, 2014)”.
Trauma isn’t the only thing it can treat.
“A wide range of patients suffering from debilitating medical conditions can also benefit from EMDR therapy (Shapiro, 2014)”. EMDR has been shown to reduce symptoms related to depression, anxiety, phobias, addiction, trauma, and ptsd.
EMDR is integrative + Holistic.
When you are doing EMDR you are tapping into how the brain processes information as well as how your nervous system has been impacted by your experiences. This modality of treatment brings both your mind and your body online, as well as integrates your cognitions and beliefs.

Interested in learning more?

We care about holistic healing at Nourished Wellness Group and EMDR is one of our holistic and integrative methods of treatment.

If this treatment modality is something you are curious about; or if you would like to learn more about how our approach may be of benefit to you; contact us!

References:

Shapiro, F. (2014). The Role of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in Medicine: Addressing the Psychological and Physical Symptoms Stemming from Adverse Life Experiences. The Permanente Journal, 18(1), 71-77. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/13-098

What is EMDR? EMDR Institute - EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING THERAPY. (2020, June 29). Retrieved September 28, 2022, from https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/