EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

What is EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach developed by Francine Shapiro, PhD to aid the distress connected to trauma. EMDR is an accelerated information processing therapy. It is recognized through research as an effective treatment of trauma towards the goal of trauma resolution and reintegration.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAHMSA) of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Registry of Evidence Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) has found EMDR to be an Evidence Based Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

EMDR helps to access and process traumatic memories including distressing thoughts and feelings from which the person feels stuck or blocked and aids in the resolution of the troubling issues.

Dr Shapiro developed a rigorous protocol for therapists to follow to determine if a client is an appropriate candidate for EMDR. This protocol involves a careful assessment of the clients’ history, current functioning, safety and ability to use self care strategies to stay safe as they may experience strong emotions during and after the EMDR sessions. The protocol requires preparation of the client in counseling before the EMDR session, careful monitoring of the clients’ reactions and feedback from the client during and after the EMDR session as well as therapist availability for support between sessions if necessary and follow up at future sessions.

The goal of EMDR therapy is help the client feel resolved regarding upsetting memories and current distressing situations such that the client no longer finds these to be problematic and can respond with new healthy responses in the future.

Back to top

What training do you have in EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing?

I have achieved Level 2 EMDR certification which is the advanced level of EMDR training.

Back to top

How do you use EMDR?

I find EMDR to be a useful psychotherapeutic tool to help clients who are struggling with unresolved trauma including PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) that is interfering with living life fully. I have found EMDR to be an effective, respectful trauma resolution method of working with clients on difficult issues.

EMDR is one of the tools that I use to provide safe, effective psychotherapy for clients who are feeling blocked by unresolved traumatic memories that interfere with their personal, social, occupational, sexual and other important areas of functioning.

EMDR can be a useful tool to help resolve issues such as:

I follow Dr. Shapiro’s protocol for assessment and utilization of EMDR. I intersperse EMDR sessions with usual “talk therapy” to integrate what the client experiences in EMDR into their overall growth.

Back to top

Where can I find out more about EMDR?

For a complete description of the EMDR process, explore the EMDR Institute at www.emdr.com

Visit Shari’s Blog for articles, news and selected informational videos on these subjects and related topics:

Back to top

How can I contact you for further information?

Here is my Contact Information and Office Information.

Back to top