EMDR is a technique used for memory reconsolidation. This modality uses bilateral stimulation to reprocess traumatic events that have occurred with the goal of minimizing and, eventually, diminishing symptoms. Reprocessing traumatic events allows us to come to a new understanding of the event. The hope is to also come to a new understanding of the beliefs you hold about yourself in relation to the trauma.

When we endure trauma, the memory stores in pieces rather than explicitly. We may have body memory, sensory memory, and emotional memory that doesn’t seem to make sense. When the trauma occurs, the nervous system launches in to a threat response to best aid in your survival. Because the memory is processed in fragments, the nervous system does not have awareness that the trauma completed. It may feel like you remain stuck in the trauma though your rational brain knows it is over. EMDR aids us in completing the trauma mechanisms and memory so the nervous system holds less sensitivity to threat.

Francine Shapiro developed the concept for EMDR as she was thinking about something distressing while walking through the park. She began watching a tennis ball, moving back and forth across the court. She realized after following along with her eyes, the event she was thinking about felt much less distressing.

After many years of research, she recognized the back and forth eye movements replicate our eye movements during REM cycles. As you sleep, your eyes move back and forth aiding in processing the events of the day. We access these movements intentionally during EMDR to process distressing events or shift patterns that feel intrusive.

This technique is useful for both adults and children. We practice EMDR with children as young as 5. In working with children, we implement play therapy along with EMDR in the form of board games, sandtray, art, and more.

Along with treating PTSD, EMDR has shown to be effective in treating panic attacks, anxiety, depression, self harming behaviors, complicated grief, phobias, stress, physical/mental abuse, body dysmorphic disorder, and more.

All our clinicians are trained in EMDR. Ilyse is an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Clinician.

For more information on EMDR, visit EMDRIA.

*Please note, EMDR is an intensive trauma healing modality. For ethical reasons, we require weekly sessions for EMDR processing. This modality may require 90-minute sessions.