Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma therapy that involves recalling a stressful past event and reprogramming the memory in the light of a positive, self-chosen belief, while using rapid eye movements to facilitate the process.

At the time of a traumatic event, strong emotions interfere with our ability to completely process the experience and one moment becomes frozen in time. Recalling the traumatic event may feel as though the person is reliving the event all over again because the images, smells, sounds, and feelings are still there and can be triggered in the present. When activated, these memories cause a negative impact on our daily functioning and interfere with the way we see ourselves, and our world, and how we relate to others.

EMDR incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy with bilateral eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation. One of the key elements of EMDR is dual stimulation. In a typical EMDR therapy session, you focus on traumatic memories and associated negative emotions and beliefs while tracking your therapist’s moving finger with your eyes as it moves back and forth across your field of vision.

The benefits of EMDR include: feeling less troubled by trauma memories and reminders while awake and in their dreams; feeling able to cope with trauma memories and reminders without simply trying to avoid troubling thoughts, conversations, people, activities, or places; feeling more able to enjoy pleasurable activities and to be emotionally involved in relationships, as well as feeling that there is a future to look forward to; feeling less tense, stressed, irritable or angry, easily startled, and on-guard, and more able to sleep restfully, concentrate on activities, and deal with pressure and conflict; feeling less anxious, worried, fearful or phobic, and prone to panic attacks; feeling less depressed and experiencing an increased sense of self-esteem and self-confidence.

At Sure Haven, our clients seeking trauma treatment are provided with EMDR as part of their intensive inpatient therapy program. It is important our clients know that they have landed in a safe place where they can confront the very issues that are preventing them from fulfilling their potential.