EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) is a treatment method that has been widely researched and proven very effective in processing traumatic memories so they don’t hold “power” over you anymore. Normally, when events happen to us in our lives, our brain can process them so they don’t have the same impact as when it happened. Sometimes our brain isn’t able to process it effectively so when the memory is accessed again, it brings on the same emotional distress & intensity.
We often think trauma is only big things like abuse or violence (which are “big T” traumas) but we also all experience smaller things like bullying, a coach yelling at us, comments made by others, an embarrassing moment, etc (which are “small t” traumas). All of these can lead to low-self esteem, confidence, anxiety, etc. Talking about them helps and can elevate part of their effects but EMDR gets to the core. Memories are housed in parts of the brain and body that words don’t get to but EMDR can. EMDR allows the brain to go back and reprocess those memories correctly thus reducing or eliminating those negative reactions and beliefs they once caused so you can live in freedom from the event…even the hard ones. It doesn’t erase the memory, it reprocesses them so they become less vivid, powerful, or distressing; in essence faded or blurry.
The EMDR Institute explains it like this:
EMDR therapy facilitates the accessing and processing of traumatic memories and other adverse life experience to bring these to an adaptive resolution. After successful treatment with EMDR therapy, affective distress is relieved, negative beliefs are reformulated, and physiological arousal is reduced.
It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. What is EMDR
EMDR is not hypnosis and doesn’t use drugs as a form of treatment. EMDR is used to treat PTSD, depression, anxiety, single incident or complex trauma and eating disorders to name just a few.
The above is a VERY brief description of EMDR. For more information you can click on the links provided or contact me to discuss further. I would love to help release you from the power of the past so you can live in freedom of today! https://www.emdria.org/