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(C) 2023 Koren H. Bierfeldt, LLC
Holistic, Heart-Centered Counseling & Therapies
What Are the Benefits?
EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION & REPROCESSING (EMDR)
Like other alternative therapies, EMDR can be debatable because more conventional and psychiatric practitioners rely on approaches that are as strictly scientific as traditional medicine or drugs. I believe that every client’s treatment plan depends entirely on the individual, so I promote a well-rounded, holistic path to healing. I only suggest therapies for which I can offer at least anecdotal evidence of success based on both my own personal use and years of client experience.
EMDR is right for you if you’re receptive to supportive counseling adjunctive to talk therapy in a safe and trusting environment. There are no known negative side effects. The type of problem, life circumstances and degree of trauma would determine the number of EMDR sessions needed.
The American Psychiatric Association calls EMDR effective for acute and chronic PTSD, and the departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense strongly recommended it to soldiers and their families.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an integrative energy psychology effective for overcoming symptoms of traumatic events, abuse and other psychological stress. EMDR works by recalling a disturbing memory while receiving bilateral sensory input, such as rapidly moving your eyes side to side and rhythmic hand-tapping.
The therapist's fingers move back and forth in front of your face while you follow these motions with your eyes. Your awareness of negative emotions and body sensations during this experience are discussed after the sensory input. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing can be used together with psychotherapy and/or hypnotherapy in a 60- to 90-minute session.
EMDR helps guide you to gradually shift your thoughts to more pleasant ones and reduce the long-lasting effects of stressful events by developing more adaptive coping responses. More than 20,000 practitioners have used this technique since it was developed in 1989.
What Is It?
EMDR focuses on resolving problematic emotions from negatively-charged memories by diverting attention from them using systematic eye, hand and toe movements. The goal is to facilitate healing from past events and present situations that cause distress.
I recommend this therapy to willing clients who seek to decrease or eliminate disruptive or debilitating conditions resulting from post-traumatic stress, sexual, physical or emotional abuse and other mental health challenges. These symptoms can include panic attacks, pain disorders, addictions, personality disorders, body image issues, phobias, performance anxiety and more.
The effectiveness of EMDR has been proven in nearly 50 studies. In the last 30 years, literally millions of people of all ages have reported relief from many types of emotional stress. Another benefit is that you can imagine, but don’t have to discuss, your disturbing memories in vivid detail.
Is It Right for Me?