TRAUMA AND EMDR THERAPY

trauma

Trauma is commonly defined by an event that overwhelms a person’s coping resources. Psychological trauma is associated with changes in one’s nervous system. Traumatic events include natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, floods, fires, or hurricanes, man-made violence such as sexual trauma, war, torture, and other forms of violence as well as developmental trauma including emotional or physical abuse or neglect. Racial trauma and effects of discrimination and oppression are considered culture based traumas and the effects of these types of traumas are similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. Other forms of trauma include medical trauma, trauma resulting from domestic violence, vicarious trauma.

EMDR Therapy

Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy is an empirically validated treatment of trauma and is recognized by the World Health Organization, American Psychiatric Organization, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and the International Society for the Traumatic Stress.

Multiple studies have demonstrated that EMDR has lasting effects for treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

EMDR has been shown to help with different types of clinical issues. EMDR can be helpful with identifying and targeting underlying sources of your symptoms of depression, relational issues, anxiety, or low self-esteem.

 

Connection and belonging are core human needs. Trauma threatens the individual’s basic assumptions about the world, destroying meaning, sense of control, and connection (Herman, 1997). Developing self-compassion, restoration of meaning and human connectedness are at the core of healing from the wounds caused by traumatic events.

EMDR targets past memories, current disturbance and future actions.

EMDR therapy has 8 phases: history taking, treatment planning, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan and closure.

Experiencing EMDR therapy

what does emdr look like?

“EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework between sessions. EMDR therapy, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process.

EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.” EMDRIA.ORG