EMDR Therapy
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and is considered a psychotherapy approach. When something traumatic happens to you, your mind may continue to hold on to it in a way that includes the original picture, sounds, feelings, sensations, and thoughts. This trauma can be triggered by many different things or people. The original experience can still cause a great deal of discomfort because you still experience the affects and sensations that are connected with the old experience.
EMDR Therapy includes the exploration of eight phases: history and treatment planning, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and re-evaluation.
This psychotherapy approach is evidence-based and involves a non-invasive patient-therapist collaboration. Research has shown that EMDR Therapy is rapid, effective and safe. There is no use of drugs or hypnosis and it has been helpful to clients who have suffered for years with no relief from other forms of therapy.
There have been multiple controlled studies to support EMDR Therapy as an effective short-term therapy for the treatment of trauma, PTSD, rape recovery, combat, natural disasters, accidents, the loss of a loved one, chronic pain, depression, panic attacks, eating disorders, poor self-image, stress, worry, stage fright, performance anxiety, psychological abuse or neglect, abandonment experiences, marital betrayals, difficult divorces, excessive anger, personal growth, overcoming low self esteem, self-limiting beliefs and performance blocks.
EMDR can be done in 50 minute or 90 minute sessions. You and your therapist will discuss the fee and session length that is most appropriate for your situation. Yolanda Brailey is Certified in EMDR Therapy.