EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
What does EMDR treat?
Disturbing experiences can sometimes get stored in our memories in a way that keeps us from moving on. You might say that the experience gets stuck. As this old experience gets triggered, we may experience disturbing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, nightmares, hypervigilance and more. The process of EMDR allows these old memories to process or metabolize, allowing new information to emerge and resolve these old experiences.
How does EMDR work?
The eye movements, or Bilateral stimulation (BLS), we use in EMDR seem to unlock the nervous system and allow your brain to process the stuck experience. While this may sound odd, we have done a lot of research on the effects of BLS and we believe there is a similar process to REM sleep, or dream sleep, involved in producing the effects of EMDR. You may know, REM sleep is believed to be a vital part of our sleep that allows us to process through our day. The eye movements that occur in REM sleep are believed to be a side effect of your brain processing in your sleep. Unlike REM sleep however, you will be fully conscious and awake in EMDR. You are always the one in control and it is your body and nervous system that allow the healing to happen. You can stop at any time.
Want to learn more?
If you think EMDR might be a type of therapy that would be helpful for you, I encourage you to reach out to me for a free 15 minute consultation call to discuss EMDR, your needs, and my approach. You can reach me at haley@haleyscottcounseling.com or by phone at 978-923-9391.