Of all therapeutic modalities I have trained in and  utilized over the past thirty years, one of the most profound is EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Discovered and thoroughly researched by Francine Shapiro, PhD. over 25 years ago, EMDR was originally used for treating PTSD in Vietnam Veterans. Over the years, this therapeutic modality has been adapted beyond PTSD of all origins and used successfully for clients who are unable to shift old, distorted thinking patterns, beliefs, perceptions, and emotions which have caused them to feel stuck, triggered, frustrated, depressed, anxious.. and more. EMDR allows deep healing from past memories and experiences that are influencing ones present emotions, perceptions, even body responses. Themes are identified that run along a neuro-network where the same meaning, beliefs, emotions, negative self-perception, and physical responses are present. EMDR allows people to deeply and powerfully heal from the deepest places in their past, their present, and to work towards a future that is free from these past impediments. One is able to shift from what is considered mal-adaptive to adaptive behaviors, beliefs, feelings, sensations, and responses.. EMDR incorporates stress management, self care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools and techniques. 

 

When we experience traumatic events, we store the experience in terms of the what it looked like (our visual memory), what we came to believe about ourself (often times a negative belief/perception), our emotional experience of the memory, and the physical sensations of the memory (the muscle memory of the experience.. often times reactive discomfort in various parts of the body.) EMDR allows us to work through all parts of the memory to bring peace and resolve through the reprocessing. Clients will notice a greater sense of well being, a diminished sense of distress when reflecting back on the memory, no longer feeling "triggered" or "flooded" by current life situations that were previously connected to the unresolved, mal-adaptively stored memory.