EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR?

EMDR therapy was first developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro to address PTSD symptoms. First studies demonstrated its efficacy in assisting veterans in resolving traumatic experiences. Since that time, EMDR has been found by research to be a safe and effective therapeutic modality to help all types of concerns such as PTSD, panic attacks, phobias, anxiety, depression, complicated grief, and more.

When an individual undergoes a traumatic or otherwise negative experience, it overwhelms their capacity to cope. It’s as if the memory becomes lodged in the brain, preventing new learning such as the ability to recognize one is safe now. Because traumatic memories are stored deep within the brain’s limbic system, sometimes referred to as the emotional center, such memories can negatively impact a person’s ability to regulate their emotions and make sense of their experiences. Over time, one’s view of self, others, and the world can become impaired. They may question their worth, others intentions, and wonder if things will ever improve.

EMDR, via use of bilateral stimulation (i.e. eye movements or tapping) which taxes working memory, enables clients to become “unstuck.” The brain is essentially rewired, and fMRI studies have shown that following EMDR, the limbic brain is no longer activated, but the prefrontal cortex is! This means that while people do not forget what happened, the pain shifts so that they are able to resolve the traumatic memories and experience calm, confidence, and safety.

Why an Intensive?

• Are you tired of being seen week to week for an indefinite amount of time?
• Are you losing patience waiting months to years for results?
• Wouldn’t it be great to get relief within days?

EMDR intensives have been shown to be as effective as EMDR administered in a weekly format. Intensives allow you the opportunity to get symptom relief more quickly and make long-lasting change. The days you schedule are focused on you and your needs without unnecessary interruptions. We can delve into the root of problems more efficiently, in part because there is less need to spend on resourcing in that you will not have to contain any heavy feelings that may arise over weeks or months. With weekly EMDR therapy, part of the 55-minute session is used for checking in and day-to-day stressors can sometimes derail deeper, more important work. There is also a need to have plenty of time for closure in weekly sessions to reinforce coping skills and perhaps engage in an exercise to assist with nervous system regulation. That only leaves 40 minutes or less to process any specific memory. With EMDR intensives, these are non-issues. You also don’t have to schedule time off work or juggle childcare over psychotherapy that would normally take weeks, months, or even years.

EMDR intensives allow you to experience greater freedom and rejuvenation, perhaps for the first time.