EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) has been around since 1987. The overall goal is to free negative and maladaptive thinking patterns about yourself that have been often locked away in your brain and body, and establish new/healthier ways of thinking.
Sometimes we work on processing one “single” event (e.g., one time being bit by a dog). Most often in my practice I find we process a “theme” of beliefs that have built up over time (e.g., “I’m not good enough”). Think of it as whatever is upsetting you now, could be what is most likely linked to something that happened in the past.
Through the bilateral stimulation we are able to awaken disturbing memories and reprocessing in real time. It’s like having 1 foot in the past memory and 1 foot in the present working with the therapist on replacing the narrative. We can change the narrative from “I’m not good enough” to “I’m ok the way I am”. EMDR can be so powerful and life changing! It really integrates the body and mind to heal a bit faster than traditional talk therapy.
Resources:
Videos:
- Introduction to EMDR Therapy
- What is Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy?
- EMDR therapy helps address trauma, depression
- How EMDR works? Look at this animation
- Trauma and the Nervous System: A Polyvagal Perspective
- Dr. Stephen Porges: What is the Polyvagal Theory
- How Polyvagal Theory Can Help Clients Regulate a Trauma Response
- Dr. Stephen Porges on Polyvagal Theory & Romantic Relationships
