EMDR

EMDR is a comprehensive approach to psychotherapy, originally developed by Francine Shapiro, a Senior Research Fellow at the Mental Research Institute in Palto Alto, California in 1987.  EMDR has been clinically proven to accelerate the treatment of a wide range of problems and self-esteem issues related both to disturbing past traumatic events and present life conditions.

How does EMDR work?

Although we do not know how any form of psychotherapy works neurobiologically or in the brain, we do know that when a person is very upset, their brain cannot process information as it does ordinarily.  One moment becomes “frozen in time”, and the memory can feel as bad as going through it the first time because of images, sounds, smells and the feelings associated with it have not changed.  These types of memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way a person sees the world and relates to others.

EMDR appears to have a direct effect on the way the brain processes information.  Normal processing is resumed, and following a successful EMDR session, the client no longer relives the images, sounds, and feelings when the negative event is brought to mind. You still remember the event, but it is less upsetting.  EMDR appears to be similar to REM (rapid eye movement) during sleep.  Therefore, EMDR can be seen as a physiologically based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new and less distressing way.

This interactive approach has been empirically tested with clients who have experienced a broad range of disturbing life experiences, including accidents, loss of a job or a loved one, rape, sexual molestation, exposure to combat and natural disasters.  EMDR offers a reprocessing of disturbing life experiences resulting in a significant reduction or elimination of symptoms as emotional distress, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks and nightmares.  EMDR is also used to treat relational problems and self-esteem issues as well as anxiety, depression, complicated grief reactions and phobias.  It can also alleviate performance anxiety at work, on the playing field and in the performing arts.

If you are interested in finding out more information on EMDR Therapy and Jeanne’s approach to see if you might be a good fit for working together, please click here and complete the contact form. 

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