EMDR Therapy
Understanding the Approach
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement and Desensitization Therapy, and it is an effective and widely researched form of therapy to help people process their difficult life experiences and traumas.
Traumatic memories and events can negatively shape the way one views themselves, others, and the world around them. EMDR therapy uses an eight phase approach to reprocess those traumatic memories by using bilateral stimulation, for example tapping on two sides of one’s body, to help the brain reprocess the negative thoughts and feelings that have become stuck or frozen in time around that traumatic memory.
EMDR enables one to process and release the fear, anger, and sadness that has been frozen in time from the traumatic event. Once those feelings have been processed, the brain can access the clarity, insight and logic that it naturally has once it becomes unstuck. Once someone completes the eight phases of EMDR, they can look back at the memory and no longer feel triggered by that memory. EMDR is effective for people experiencing or have experienced PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, grief and loss, sexual assault, violence and abuse, depression, bipolar, attachment issues, childhood trauma, sleep disturbances, and beyond.
The EMDR therapy protocol was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the 1980s and since then, multiple randomized clinical trials and studies around the world have proven its efficacy. Multiple organizations recognize EMDR therapy for its effectiveness, such as the American Psychiatric Association, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, and the World Heath Organization (1).
Reference (1): https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
How EMDR Therapy Works
There are 8 phases in EMDR:
Phase 1, History taking and treatment goals - I learn about you, your past, current symptoms and treatment goals. We identify the traumatic memory that you’d like to process using EMDR.
Phase 2, Preparation - I take gentle steps to ensure you’re ready to process your traumatic memory. I use various techniques like parts work and mindfulness to help you and your triggered parts feel more comfortable and at ease. Some clients need several sessions in this phase in order to feel ready to move on to the next phases of EMDR.
Phase 3, Assessment - We briefly assess your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and distress related to the memory before moving to phase 4.
Phase 4, Desensitization - While focusing on the traumatic event, I guide you to use bilateral stimulation, such as tapping on two different parts of your body, as you process the event. Think of it as processing and releasing layers of emotions - typically one processes repressed fear, then anger, then sadness/guilt. These are emotions that likely have been “stuck” since the event occurred. By focusing on aspects of the memory, combined with bilateral stimulation while expressing your thoughts and emotions, we are giving you a safe space to work through what you weren’t able to process on your own. We are helping your brain to safely reorganize its files in a way that it wasn’t able to when the trauma occurred. Once all of these emotions have been processed and released, what is left is clarity, insight, and logic, so that you are no longer triggered by the memory.
Phase 5, Installation - You identify positive thoughts and feelings about the processed memory now that you’ve processed it, and I help you to align further with them.
Phase 6, Body Scan - We want both your mind and body to feel relief, so we scan the body to help it release physical symptoms related to the traumatic event.
Phase 7, Closure - I help you to return to a place of safety and calm.
Phase 8, Reevaluation - After reprocessing, we check in and see if any distress remains from the recently processed traumatic event, and apply what you’ve learned to a possible future scenario to ensure that you can confidently manage a similar event in the future. EMDR allows us to treat the past event, present symptoms, and prepare for the future situations.
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My History with EMDR Therapy
I am an EMDR-certified therapist, trained in EMDR therapy by the Institute of Creative Mindfulness, an EMDRIA-approved organization, and have taken advanced training in dissociation, chronic pain, attachment issues, parts work, and complex grief.
I work to provide a non-judgmental space for clients to feel understood and accepted, as they are. I take gentle steps to ensure you are prepared to process your core memories with the intent of preventing flashbacks or triggering feelings, as much as possible. I incorporate mindfulness, inner-child work, and self-reflection into EMDR therapy to help you find healing on a holistic level.
I love being an EMDR therapist because of its efficacy with clients. I love hearing clients report that they no longer have panic attacks or flashbacks of their traumatic experiences. I am honored to walk beside clients who have found the courage to finally say “no” and establish stronger personal boundaries. It’s wonderful to hear when a client is able to believe in their self worth or have the courage to do something that they’ve avoided for years. These positive client experiences are why I believe in EMDR’s efficacy.
Rediscover Peace Through EMDR Therapy
When you are ready to move forward with EMDR therapy, please contact me or schedule a free 15 minute consultation to discuss how I can assist you through online EMDR therapy.
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EMDR in Westmont, IL
825 N Cass Ave Ste 112
Westmont, IL 60559
Please note that all sessions are offered online only. In-person appointments are not available.
