(954) 225-2324 12555 Orange Drive Davie, FL 33330 *Not accepting new clients.*
kperez@divinemercyhealingcounseling.com
wHAT IS EMDR?
EMDR
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. EMDR therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.
This treatment modality is endorsed by the United States Department of Defense and Veteran Affairs, the World Health Organization, American Psychiatric Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the American Psychological Association.
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue. EMDR therapy, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process.
How does it work?
EMDR employs a body-based technique called bilateral simulation during which a therapist will guide a client through eye movements, tones, or taps in order to move a memory that has been incorrectly stored to a more functional part of the brain.
When we experience a traumatic event, our brain processes and stores memories incorrectly. This incorrect storage can lead to past memories feeling very present (i.e. flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, etc). Related or unrelated stimuli in the present can lead to clients reacting as they did at the time of trauma. The brain feels if the past disturbing event is happening currently. EMDR therapy corrects this mis-storage so that the painful memories associated with the trauma lose their emotional charge and thus eliminating/decreasing the post-traumatic symptoms. The client can react to stimuli in the present without the past interfering.
IMPORTANT
EMDR is not appropriate for individuals with a history of epilepsy, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or any form of psychosis.