How can EMDR benefit me?
EMDR helps clients to reprocess disturbing thoughts and memories and provides a profound and stable treatment effect in a short period of time.
EMDR provides relief to clients through a process of desensitization to the disturbing thoughts, feelings, body sensations and negative beliefs locked in the nervous system leading to maladaptive thoughts, behaviors and feelings.
EMDR facilitates clients in acquiring the freedom and ability to live more adaptive, productive and enriched lives by breaking free from intrusive thoughts of guilt, shame and anger and replace limiting, negative thoughts about themselves and others with positive, self-affirming thoughts.
EMDR has produced positive therapeutic results for the following situations among others:
- Survivors of combat
- Phobias, anxiety, panic disorders
- Victims of crime
- Occupational trauma: police officers, fire fighters
- Grief due to the loss of a love one
- Sexual assault and sexual molestation
- Performance anxiety/performance enhancement (in business, school, sports)
- Relationship trauma: repairing negative effects of the betrayal of trust
- Childhood neglect and emotional, physical and sexual abuse
What can I expect in a EMDR therapy session with Debra?
During sessions with an EMDR specialist you are expected to talk about the primary concerns and issues in your life. Together, we will collaborate on what issues and incidents will be most helpful to focus on. Before introducing EMDR as a treatment option information will be gathered to determine whether EMDR is an appropriate treatment for you.
A therapy session lasts 50 minutes, however some people may request longer sessions. Usually weekly sessions are best. However, if you are in crisis or extreme distress, you may need more than one session per week until the crisis passes.
Between therapy sessions it is often beneficial for you to think about and process what was discussed during the therapy session. At times, you may be asked to take certain actions outside of the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book, recording your thoughts and behaviors and insights or journaling your dreams. For therapy to “work,” you must be an active participant, both in and outside of the therapy sessions.