Perhaps you have found yourself here

because you’ve experienced a significant trauma and are suffering tremendously, unable to participate in your life. It may be that you cannot remember what it was like to be in the world without constantly experiencing painful emotions, volatile or dulled reactions, intense fear and anxiety and/or images that seem to haunt you. Suffering in this way is a common response to experiencing a significant trauma, however it doesn’t need to be this way. You deserve the opportunity to fully integrate and heal from this trauma and to reclaim the aliveness and wholeness that is innately yours. EMDR may be the key.

What is EMDR therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for millions of people in the treatment of trauma. Discovered by Francine Shapiro, EMDR is world-renowned for its effectiveness in treating traumas such as PTSD and Complex PTSD resulting from combat, rape, childhood abuse, auto accidents, natural disasters, etc. EMDR can also help people to recover from disturbing life events and/or transitions such as a break up, divorce, empty nest syndrome, the loss of a loved one, chronic pain, etc.

What kind of problems can EMDR treat?

· Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

· Panic Attacks, Complicated Grief, Dissociative Disorders, Disturbing Memories

· Phobias, Pain Disorders, Performance Anxiety, Stress Reduction, Addictions

· Sexual and/or Physical Abuse, Body Dysmorphic Disorders, Personality Disorders

When people experience any of the above, they sometimes find it difficult to work through the event and find themselves stuck. If they have difficulty integrating the event into their life, the event becomes an unprocessed memory that gets stored in the brain in such a way that may cause the person to suffer with uncomfortable physical sensations, thoughts, emotions and images associated with the event. Without treatment, these symptoms remain unresolved and continue to cause deep suffering in the person’s life.

How long does EMDR take?

One or more sessions are required for the therapist to understand the nature of the problem and to decide whether EMDR is an appropriate treatment. Together we will discuss EMDR more fully and you will have the opportunity to ask more specific questions about the method. If we agree that EMDR is appropriate for the problem you are experiencing, we will begin EMDR therapy.

A typical EMDR session lasts from 60 to 90 minutes. The type of problem, life circumstances, and the amount of previous trauma will determine how many sessions are necessary. EMDR may be used as an adjunctive therapy with a separate therapist.