EMDR: What is it?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is used to treat individuals who have experienced traumatic events. 

These events can be “Big T trauma” or “Little t trauma”. 

Big T trauma is something you might see on the news - experiencing war, natural disasters, abuse, sexual assault, or severe neglect.

Little t trauma is more common and most people have experienced it to some degree. It can occur when you experience a parent who is unable to meet your emotional or physical needs due to poverty, mental illness, addiction, or emotional immaturity. Bullying, a car accident, and unhealthy relationships are all good examples of the small traumas most of us have experienced (they don’t feel small).

Both types of trauma can benefit from EMDR.

The theory behind EMDR is that traumatic experiences can become "stuck" in the brain and can lead to emotional distress, such as anxiety and depression. EMDR therapy aims to help you process and integrate these traumatic memories so that they no longer cause emotional distress. 

I like to think of EMDR as a way of unhooking the memory of the event from the beliefs and feelings that go with it. 

During an EMDR therapy session, I guide my client to focus on a traumatic memory while engaging in a specific type of bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, or tones. The idea is that the bilateral stimulation will help to activate the brain's natural healing process and allow my client to process and integrate the traumatic memory in a healthy way. 

I work closely with my clients to identify specific aspects of the traumatic memory that are causing distress, and to develop a positive belief or image that can replace the negative thoughts and emotions associated with the memory. Through this process, the traumatic memory is "unstuck" and integrated into the individual's overall life experience. As a result, clients may experience a reduction in anxiety and negative beliefs about themselves and an increase in feelings of safety and well-being.

If you’re interested in exploring ways to help get “unstuck” and see if EMDR might be a good fit for you, I would love to chat.