EMDR Therapy clears out past disturbances to improve present & future functioning so that we no longer react without thinking; instead, we can respond with understanding.
Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create feelings of overwhelm or of being back in that moment. EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.
By accessing and reprocessing memories of the trauma in a safe therapeutic space, EMDR therapy creates new pathways to the neural network, reducing anxiety associated with the trauma and releasing stress stored in the body.
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework between sessions. Rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, EMDR therapy allows the brain to resume its natural healing process.
Designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.
Therapists use EMDR therapy to address a wide range of challenges, including: