About EMDR

WHAT IS EMDR AND CAN IT HELP ME? 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful psychotherapy approach.  

• Effective 
• Rapid Treatment 
• For Psychological Trauma ​ 

EMDR has provided relief to more than two million people… ​ 

Approximately 20 controlled studies have investigated the effects of EMDR.  These studies have consistently found that EMDR effectively decreases or eliminates the symptoms of post traumatic stress for the majority of clients.  Clients often report improvement in other associated symptoms such as anxiety and depression. ​ It is now recommended as a front line treatment for trauma by the: ​

• American Psychiatric Association 
• Department of Defense Department of Veterans Affairs ​ 

How does EMDR work? ​ 

EMDR seems to have a direct effect on the way that the brain processes information.  When a person is very upset their brain cannot always process information as it does normally. Moments and memories can become frozen in time when remembering a trauma or can be triggered by experiences in daily life. Remembering trauma may feel as bad as it was when it was initially experienced, including memories of images, sounds, smells, thoughts of self and feelings.  This can have a lasting negative impact that interferes with the way a person relates to others and operates in the world.  EMDR appears to be similar to what occurs naturally with trauma memories during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.  Therefore, EMDR can be described as a physiologically based therapy that helps a person process material in a less distressing way. ​ 

What kind of problems can EMDR treat? ​ 

Scientific research has established EMDR as effective for post traumatic stress. However, clinicians also have reported success using EMDR in treatment of the following conditions: ​ 

• Personality Disorders 
• Panic Attacks 
• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Complicated Grief 
• Dissociative Disorders
• Disturbing Memories 
• Phobias 
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder 
• Eating Disorders 
• Performance Anxiety 
• Stress Reduction 
• Adidctions 
• Sexual and/or Physical Abuse 
• Pain Disorders 
• Attachment Trauma
• Recent Incident Trauma 

EMDR Reduces and Often Eliminates Symptoms Such as: 

• Abrupt Mood Swings 
• Rage Reactions and Temper Tantrums 
• Feelings of Shame 
• Sleep Disturbances 
• Intrusive Thoughts 
• Flashbacks and Nightmares 
• Difficulty Forming Loving Relationships 
• Forgetfulness 
• Sadness and Crying 
• Difficulty Making Decisions 
• Diminished Interest in Activities 
• Feelings of Detachment or Isolation 
• Exaggerated Startle Response  

Call today to find out how EMDR therapy can help you…

As a Certified EMDR Therapist and Approved EMDRIA Consultant, I can help you find the relief that you have been looking for.   Please contact me at my confidential voicemail 805-390-8180

"Where you look affects how you feel" David Grand, Ph.D. ​ 

Brainspotting is a technique that was discovered in 2003 by David Grand, Ph.D. and it taps into the body's natural ability to heal.  The roots of Brainspotting are from EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), which is used to alleviate the symptoms of traumatic stress.   What is Brainspotting?  Brainspotting is a neurobiological treatment that accesses and treats a wide range of somatic and emotionally-based issues.  ​

How Does Brainspotting Work? ​ 

Brainspotting works directly with the subcortical brain and the autonomic and limbic systems, located within the central nervous system. Because of this, it can be considered a physiological treatment, and provides physical benefits as well as psychological and emotional relief. ​ Brainspotting works by assessing the core neurophysiological sources of emotional/body pain, trauma, and dissociation. Brainspotting can be used to treat all areas of trauma including past and current abuse, recent incident trauma, attachment trauma, and natural disaster.  It can also be used to decrease depression, anxiety, phobias and addictions.  To enhance the treatment, biolateral sound may be utilized. ​ Brainspotting uses a Dual Attunement between the client and the therapist both relationally and neurobiologically. Brainspotting not only accesses the neurophysiology, but it is also a mindful attunement with witnessing, and compassion, which enhances the healing. The attuned pesence of the therapist helps people feel that their pain is being understood. ​

What is a “Brainspot?” ​

The “Brainspot” is the eye position which is related to the subcortical activation of a traumatic/emotionally charged event stored in the emotional center of the brain.  The power of Brainspotting is that it is not necessary to relive the traumatic event at the same level of intensity as the original trauma.  This allows a more contained experience to process and resolve trauma. Stress and trauma can overwhelm the nervous sytem, with Brainspotting the client can dischage the trauma while calming the nervous system.  ​