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Trauma

EMDR

EMDR, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, is a therapy approach of “reprocessing” traumatic events and memories in a very specific way. Traumatic, or distressing, memories are activated while engaging the nervous system in alternating bilateral or dual attention stimulation (most commonly eye movements, tapping, or sound). By distracting the nervous system in this way, the heightened stress response is reduced, which allows the brain to get unstuck and continue integrating the memory in a healthy way. Disturbing memories may still be sad or upsetting, but the associations lose their power to push you into defense responses like fight, flight and freeze. You become able to make choices in how you want to respond to the moment at hand.

Depression and Anxiety
Tall trees pointing up into the sky, representing tunnel vision from trauma, but also a hopeful perspective of healing - the light of the tunnel shining through

Adjunct EMDR and EMDR Intensives

Occasionally, as your work in therapy deepens, you may come up against a “trauma wall,” a roadblock where the nervous system is hyper-activated and prevents forward movement. EMDR can be a helpful adjunct to your therapy with your primary therapist. 

You and your therapist may decide to add EMDR to your ongoing therapy for a limited time. In practice, this might look like a period of weekly EMDR sessions in addition to your therapy, or a half day or full day Mini-intensive once in a while when things feel stuck in your treatment. I collaborate closely with your therapist to ensure we are moving at the right pace. You and your primary therapist can then assimilate and make sense of whatever may arise in the EMDR Intensives, in the context of the secure therapeutic relationship you have established. 

If you would like further information on EMDR Intensives, please request my Info Sheet on Adjunct EMDR explaining the process in more depth for you and your primary therapist.

Other
A path in the woods, symbolizing a clear direction forward. On track, and lost no more.
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