What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing uses bilateral stimulation (BLS) to activate the brain and allow reprocessing of past memories and experiences. EMDR therapy is an integrative approach that is based on the Adaptive Information Processing system model, and treats problems of daily living based on disturbing life experiences that continue to have a negative impact on a person throughout the lifespan.

three pronged approach

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Memories of past adverse life experiences that underlie present problems
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Present-day situations that elicit disturbance and maladaptive responses
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Anticipatory future scenarios that require adaptive responses

FAQs

How does EMDR work?

In 2013, Pagani found evidence of distinct neurobiological patterns of brain activations during bilateral stimulation (BLS) associated with significant relief from negative emotional experiences. The EEG imaging shows a significant shift from limbic regions with high emotional valence to cortical regions with higher cognitive and associative valence, producing a normalization of emotional hyperarousal and cortical activation.

What is AIP?

In an Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) system, present-day experiences are informed by past experiences for better and worse. When the experience is a positive one, the learning we derive from it helps us respond well to future situations that are similar.

When the experience is hurtful and disturbing, without help, our system gets overwhelmed, and the memory is inadequately processed. These memories are stored with images, thoughts, emotions, sensations, and perceptions that remain painful and confusing. When similar situations to these past experiences happen gain in the present, we often overreact because we are triggered, and our brain gets hijacked into the past. The past becomes present.

AIP theory states that symptoms can be reduced or eliminated altogether when these memories are processed to resolution using dual attention bilateral stimulation.

What is reprocessing?

EMDR memory reprocessing diffuses the triggers by helping our system do now what it could not do at the time, which is to process the memory and help bring it to resolution so it is no longer painful and confusing. When reprocessing is successful, the previously disturbing memories are neutralized and affectively integrated with other similar experiences.

What are the benefits?

Desensitization of distress.
Negative images, thoughts, emotions, and sensations are resolved.
Emotional confusions are rectified.
Appropriate emotions and thoughts become more available.
Spontaneous emerging of insight and adult understanding.
Trait change (i.e., the changes to the memory and the person are permanent).
New learning about self, others, and the experience.
New meaning assigned to the experience, altering the narrative.
Generates personal growth and strengthens resilience long after resolution of a Target Memory and similar experiences.

Does EMDR work with children?

Sometimes, when kids experience something upsetting, those memories can get stuck in their brains, making them feel scared, sad, or worried even after the event is over. EMDR helps the brain 'unstick' those memories so that they don't affect how the child feels or behaves anymore.

In EMDR, I will guide your child through a process where they focus on a memory or feeling while also using their eyes to follow my hand movements or dot on the screen, holding tappers, or listen to a set of sounds. This helps the brain process the memory in a new way, making it less painful and easier to cope with.

It’s a safe and gentle method that doesn’t require a lot of talking about the event, so your child can feel comfortable during the session. Over time, EMDR can help reduce the emotional charge from the difficult memories, allowing your child to feel more relaxed and confident.

EMDR