Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a comprehensive treatment approach that supports you in being able to think and feel differently about upsetting events in your life. EMDR is an evidence based practice that has been highly researched to show its effectiveness in symptom reduction. While originally developed as a treatment for post traumatic stress disorder, EMDR research has shown positive clinical outcomes for a variety of symptoms. I consider EMDR an effective approach for any life event that has created distress and disruption to your nervous system.

EMDR therapy is done in 8 phases with the first two phases focusing on stabilization and preparation. I will be teaching you skills to increase your ability to self regulate as well as build adaptive information. We will review psychoeducation on how the brain/body responds to distress that may lead you to think/feel “I make sense” which can be a very powerful moment in your healing journey.

When we both determine readiness to address the specific distressing event (in EMDR lingo, called a target) we begin the desensitization and reprocessing phase of treatment. This often involves asking a client to gently think about some components of the stressful event while simultaneously pairing a form of bilateral stimulation (BLS). This phase of treatment does not require you to talk in detail about the event which can make the process more tolerable for some clients.

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Bilateral stimulation (BLS) in EMDR refers to any type of left-right, left-right stimuli. Traditional BLS was done in the form of eye movements. BLS has been expanded to use of audio tones and tactile BLS. With tactile BLS, you hold small tappers that buzz like a cell phone back and forth. For clients opting for telehealth, we can mimic the tactile BLS through having you do a butterfly hug — crossing your arms with your hands on your shoulders to facilitate the tactile tapping.

As EMDR research has emerged, there have been varied theories on how the BLS functions. The latest theory that has been explored through at least 5 peer reviewed research studies explores the notion that as a species when we are walking forward in our environment, our eyes naturally move left to right, scanning what is in front of us. When we walk forward and scan, our brain suppress the activity in our amygdala, aka the “smoke detector/fire alarm” of the brain. When this happens, there is a dopamine (feel good neurotransmitter) release which acts as a reinforcement reward for “walking forward”. EMDR mimics this phenomenon. Having you think about a stressful event, scanning your eyes and thus mimicking this “moving forward” in your environment appears to have the same impact in your brain— there is suppression of the amygdala and a release of dopamine. This appears to create a neurotransmitter reward for addressing the stressful situation. This experience may help with the process of being able to think and feel differently about the target that is being addressed. EMDR doesn’t erase the stressful life events you have survived but it may help you resolve the uncomfortable symptoms you carry as a result.

Egostate therapy is founded on the theory that we all have states of consciousness that represent different parts of ourselves. We may have states or parts responsible for everyday life, parts that help us function, parts that struggle or parts that hold onto past experiences. Our individual personalities are the sum of all these parts. I use egostate therapy with many of my clients as it helps us to conceptualize ourselves in a non judgmental way. This allows for you to approach yourself with more curiosity and compassion. We will work together to identify and explore all parts of your self. We will support you in strengthening your more grounded parts through resource development techniques.

We all have parts of us that struggle or may need to be seen, heard and helped.  These struggling parts may hold the challenging past experiences you have gone through or their related symptoms.  As we work with these parts— identifying and understanding them— our goal is to offer opportunities for healing. All parts of you are deserving of being unburdened from pain they’ve held, often by themselves for too long. EMDR therapy and egostate therapy are often integrated to support parts’ healing.

EMDR therapy and Egostate therapy are highly adaptable to a variety of presenting problems. I have used both therapies with anxiety, depression, phobias, post traumatic stress disorder, dissociative identity disorder, perinatal mood disorders.