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What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is
a powerful new psychotherapy technique which has been very successful
in helping people who suffer from trauma, anxiety, panic, disturbing
memories, post traumatic stress and many other emotional problems.
Until recently, these conditions were difficult and time-consuming
to treat. EMDR is considered a breakthrough therapy because of
its simplicity and the fact that it can bring quick and lasting
relief for most types of emotional distress.
EMDR is the most effective and rapid method for healing PTSD
(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) as shown by extensive scientific
research studies.
The EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation, right/left eye
movement, or tactile stimulation, which repeatly activates the
opposite sides of the brain, releasing emotional experiences
that are "trapped" in the nervous system. This assists
the neurophysiological system, the basis of the mind/body connection,
to free itself of blockages and reconnect itself.
As troubling images and feelings are processed by the brain
via the eye-movement patterns of EMDR, resolution of the issues
and a more peaceful state are achieved.
How Does It Work?
The therapist works gently with the client and asks him/her
to revisit the traumatic moment or incident, recalling feelings
surrounding the experience, as well as any negative thoughts,
feelings and memories. The therapist then holds her fingers about
eighteen inches from the clients face and begins to move them
back and forth like a windshield wiper. The client tracks the
movements as if watching ping pong. The more intensely the client
focuses on the memory, the easier it becomes for the memory to
come to life. As quick and vibrant images arise during the therapy
session, they are processed by the eye movements, resulting in
painful feelings being exchanged for more peaceful, loving and
resolved feelings.
What are the Symptoms that can be helped by EMDR?
* High anxiety and lack of motivation
* Depression
* Memories of a traumatic experience
* Fear of being alone
* Unrealistic feelings of guilt and shame
* Fear of being alone
* Difficulty in trusting others
* Relationship problems
What is the History of EMDR?
Since the initial medical study in 1989 positive therapeutic
results with EMDR have been reported with the following populations:
* People who have witnessed or been a victim to a disaster
(rape, accidents, earth quakes, fires, murder, gang related violence)
* Clients suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)
* Suffers of panic disorders and anxiety attacks
* Suffers of phobias
* Chemically dependent clients
* Persons exposed to excess loss ( loss by death, divorce,
loss of a house by fire)
* Crime victims and police officers who were once overcome
with violent memories
* Accident or burn victims
Although a fairly new therapeutic technique, EMDR is meeting
with much success all across the county. EMDR is a natural process.
The client and the therapist become partners on a journey to
help move traumatic and blocked energy. Together they work to
transcend and free up the energy, so the client can return to
their natural grounded state of being. The goal of this work
is to help the client heal, so they can return to their life
in peace.
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EMDR is an acronym for a new psychotherapeutic technique
called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. When people
suffer from trauma, it often ties into REM (rapid eye movement)
sleep, which is the time when we process our daily emotions.
Some trauma may be so painful, that the REM process rejects it.
EMDR is an intensified version of REM, developed to handle trauma
in its most serious form. EMDR allows a client to process an
emotional experience that he/she cannot yet talk about, yet following
a EMDR session find an ability to talk about it freely. Most
importantly, it can eliminate stress surrounding the traumatic
event, with the purpose of allowing new life in the once traumatized
and emotionally difficult memory.
How Does It Work?
The therapist works gently with the client and asks him/her
to revisit the traumatic moment or incident, recalling feelings
surrounding the experience, as well as any negative thoughts,
feelings and memories. The therapist then holds her fingers about
eighteen inches from the clients face and begins to move them
back and forth like a windshield wiper. The client tracks the
movements as if watching ping pong. The more intensely the client
focuses on the memory, the easier it becomes for the memory to
come to life. As quick and vibrant images arise during the therapy
session, they are processed by the eye movements, resulting in
painful feelings being exchanged for more peaceful, loving and
resolved feelings.
What are the Symptoms that can be helped by EMDR?
* High anxiety and lack of motivation
* Depression
* Memories of a traumatic experience
* Fear of being alone
* Unrealistic feelings of guilt and shame
* Fear of being alone
* Difficulty in trusting others
* Relationship problems
What is the History of EMDR?
Since the initial medical study in 1989 positive therapeutic
results with EMDR have been reported with the following populations:
* People who have witnessed or been a victim to a disaster(rape,
accidents, earth quakes, fires, murder, gang related violence)
* Clients suffering from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)
* Suffers of panic disorders and anxiety attacks
* Suffers of phobias
* Chemically dependent clients
* Persons exposed to excess loss ( loss by death, divorce,
loss of a house by fire)
* Crime victims and police officers who were once overcome
with violent memories
* Accident or burn victims
Although a fairly new therapeutic technique, EMDR is meeting
with much success all across the county. EMDR is a natural process.
The client and the therapist become partners on a journey to
help move traumatic and blocked energy. Together they work to
transcend and free up the energy, so the client can return to
their natural grounded state of being. The goal of this work
is to help the client heal, so they can return to their life
in peace.
Ask yourself the following questions to determine if EMDR
would be helpful for you:
Do you have any of the
following symptoms?
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* Do you find it
difficult to trust others?
* Are you attracted to people who just aren't
good for you?
* Do you feel guilty without knowing why?
* Are you in a painful relationship and can't
leave?
* Were
you physically or emotionally abused as a child? |
* Self-blame, self-consciousness,
shame or guilt
* Chronic or excessive anger, sadness
* Indecisiveness, confusion, hard to think
* Worry, anxiety, obsessive thinking
* Unpleasant
feeling, mood swings
* Negativity,
pessimism, irritability |
| If you can answer "Yes
" to any of these questions, then stress, anxiety,
fear could be affecting your life and indicates you may benefit
from EMDR Therapy. |
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Offices in Los Angeles / Santa
Monica/ Redondo Beach
CALL (310) 395-3351
Day & Evening/Weekend Appointments
If you have a question
or want to make an appointment
CLICK
HERE FIRST
Carol Boulware, Ph.D.
Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist-#MFCT11632
Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress
ABS Certified Sex Therapist
EMDR Certified Therapist - Level II -94'
3130 Wilshire Blvd.,
Suite 550
Los Angeles, California 90403
(310) 395-3351
Additional offices in Santa Monica & Redondo Beach
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