Heal Traumatic Memories with EMDR Therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a powerful and evidence-based psychotherapy approach designed to help you heal from the emotional distress and symptoms resulting from traumatic or difficult life experiences.

It utilizes bilateral stimulation (alternating left-right stimulation of the brain) while you focus on specific memories, allowing your brain to process these experiences in a new and less distressing way.

While the precise neurological mechanisms are still being explored, EMDR therapy is thought to facilitate the brain's natural processing of information, similar to what happens during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.

The bilateral stimulation (often eye movements, but also tactile or auditory) appears to help "unstick" traumatic memories that may be unprocessed or maladaptively stored. This allows for the emotional charge of the memory to reduce, new insights to emerge, and more adaptive beliefs to develop.

EMDR therapy is a powerful and effective treatment for a wide range of challenges, including:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related disorders (single-incident, complex, childhood trauma)

• Grief and loss (including complicated grief, traumatic grief, and unresolved grief)

• Anxiety disorders (panic disorder, social anxiety, phobias, generalized anxiety)

• Depression and mood disorders

• Disturbing memories and intrusive thoughts

• Low self-esteem and negative self-beliefs

• Body image issues

• Performance anxiety

• Chronic pain (as an adjunct treatment)

Bilateral stimulation is a key component of EMDR therapy that involves alternating stimulation of the left and right sides of your brain.

This can be done a lot of different ways.

• Eye Movements: Following the therapist's finger, a video, or a light bar with your eyes.

• Tactile Stimulation: Holding small, vibrating pulsers (buzzies) in each hand that alternate vibrations.

• Auditory Stimulation: Listening to alternating tones or sounds through headphones.

In my practice, I offer all three forms of bilateral stimulation (visual, tactile, and auditory) to tailor the experience to your comfort and processing style. I offer in person EMDR therapy at my Steamboat Springs office, and virtual EMDR therapy to adults anywhere in Colorado, California, Virginia or Florida.

EMDR therapy typically follows an 8-phase protocol.

While the processing phase with BLS is central, the initial stages are crucial for safety and preparation:

1. History Taking: We'll discuss your history and the specific issues you want to address with EMDR.

2. Preparation: I'll explain the EMDR process in detail, answer your questions, and teach you coping mechanisms and grounding techniques to manage any potential distress.

3. Assessment: Together, we'll identify specific target memories, the negative beliefs associated with them, and the positive beliefs you'd like to embrace.

4. Desensitization (Processing): You'll focus on the target memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation. You'll simply notice any thoughts, feelings, images, or sensations that arise without judgment or trying to control them. We'll do several sets of BLS with brief check-ins.

5. Installation: Once the distress related to the memory significantly reduces, we'll work on strengthening and "installing" the positive belief you identified.

6. Body Scan: You'll bring the target memory and positive belief to mind and notice any remaining physical sensations. Further processing may occur if there's still disturbance.

7. Closure: Each session concludes with ensuring you feel grounded and stable. We'll discuss coping strategies for between sessions if needed.

8. Re-evaluation: In subsequent sessions, we'll review your progress and identify any new targets for processing.

The number of EMDR sessions varies depending on the complexity and chronicity of the issues, the intensity of past trauma, and your individual processing style.

Some single-incident traumas may see significant improvement in 3 or fewer sessions, while more complex or multiple traumas may require a more extended course of therapy.

We will collaboratively assess your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

While processing difficult memories can bring up uncomfortable emotions, the goal of EMDR therapy is to reduce the intensity of that distress.

I will work with you at a pace that feels safe and manageable, and we will utilize grounding techniques to help you stay present and regulate your emotions.

You are always in control and can stop the processing at any time. The aim is to desensitize the memory so it no longer evokes the same level of emotional pain.

Yes, I use EMDR therapy as part of my personal healing program.

EMDR therapy was very helpful for me through particularly challenging times of loss.

My training and ongoing consultation in EMDR therapy allows me to practice and ensure I am giving you the best EMDR therapy available.

Yes, EMDR therapy is recognized as an effective and evidence-based treatment for PTSD and other conditions by numerous national and international organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Extensive research has consistently demonstrated its efficacy, both in-person and online.