Now Offering EMDR Therapy On James Island, South Carolina!
You may have first heard of EMDR through Whitney Rose (RHOSLC) when she spoke recently of her experience with it in therapy, or soccer superstar David Beckham using EMDR to treat fear and anxiety. EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is finally entering the zeitgeist as a profoundly healing therapy modality used to treat anything from insomnia to combat trauma, and everything in between.
So, What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Disensitation & Reprossessiong (EMDR) is a therapy technique used to preprocess unresolved or unprocessed negative experiences. This reprocessing is different than typical talk therapy, as it’s paired with bi-lateral stimulation through eye movement.
Does It Actually Work?
The jury is in. EMDR is one of the most effective forms of treatment for trauma. One study showed it was not only more effective than Prozac, but once treatment was complete, clients continued to be asymptomatic, unlike those who’d taken Prozac!
Who is EMDR for?
EMDR can help with a whole host of concerns including anxiety, depression, headaches, anger triggers, grief/loss, addiction, performance anxiety, chronic pain, trauma, panic attacks, OCD, insomnia, personality disorders, PTSD, illness, attachment wounds, and more! EMDR addresses past memories, current triggers, and future goals.
How does EMDR work?
While there have been countless studies done on how and why EMDR works since is development in the 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro, scientists still do not fully understand all the intricacies of how EMDR works, despite its undeniable results! Researchers do know that the bi-lateral stimulation helps re-encode memories (similar to eye movement in REM sleep), helps the two hemispheres of the brain work in tandem, assists in regulating the nervous system, among other things.
How Long Does EMDR Take?
A typical EMDR session lasts from 50-90 minutes, and usually takes several weekly sessions to address a particular concern. EMDR can also be done as an “intensive”, with 90min sessions done on consecutive days.
What happens in and EMDR session?
There are eight phases in EMDR that a client will cycle through during their sessions. These 8 phases are: 1) History taking and treatment planning 2) Preparation and establishing coping skills 3) Assessment and choosing target memories 4) Desensitization during eye movement 5) Installation and strengthening positive beliefs 6) Body scan 7) Closure 8) Reevaluation, review, and choosing of next target memory, if appropriate.
Can EMDR Be Done Virtually Through Telehealth?
Yes! While we suggest doing therapy in person whenever possible, EMDR can be just as effective done virtually.
I Think I Want To Give EMDR A Try!
Great! We believe in the power of EMDR and are excited to offer EMDR to clients living in South Carolina & Tennessee (and Arkansas beginning mid 2024). EMDR is not a magic pill or cure all, but it is a wonderful tool, and worth trying!
To learn more about EMDR or regular talk therapy, follow the link below to schedule a FREE 20min consultation to ensure we are the best fit for you!
Reference List:
Emdria. www.emdria.org. Accessed 12 February 2024.
van der Kolk BA, Spinazzola J, Blaustein ME, Hopper JW, Hopper EK, Korn DL, Simpson WB. A randomized clinical trial of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), fluoxetine, and pill placebo in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: treatment effects and long-term maintenance. J Clin Psychiatry. 2007 Jan;68(1):37-46. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v68n0105. PMID: 17284128.
