EMDR

EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. A popular and evidence-based trauma modality, I often tell people that it's hard to explain until you do it, and it will likely feel worse before it feels better; but, it will feel better in the end. Here's a video that explains what EMDR is and how it works. 

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With anyone who wants to do EMDR, I still begin with some talk therapy and rapport building sessions. In trauma therapy, it's essential that we have trust and comfort between therapist and client. Sometimes, the target issue for EMDR is clear; other times, it's a little foggy, and we may need to spend longer talking through the feelings and thoughts that are bothering you to pinpoint where to start. 

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EMDR treatment begins with resourcing: the feel-good part. We build internal resources of strength and calm, someplace for your mind to return to as we dredge up the ugly stuff. Next, we may do some desensitization. Some traumas are so intense, just the image itself causes you to feel a loss of control. In desensitization, we cool down the image, lessen its impact from the snapshot itself. Once that's done (and it's not always necessary), we move to processing. Processing can take the longest out of any stage of EMDR. Processing involves separating the memory from the belief or feeling it brings up, and replacing it with something more positive or neutral. 

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Every step we take through your trauma, I'll be explaining in detail what we're doing and why it's supposed to help. So if none of this makes sense right now, that's OK; we'll continue to go over it throughout the process.