EMDR Trauma Therapy
Online Therapy in North Carolina
& in-person in Cornelius.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
A powerful therapeutic approach used to address the lasting and adverse effects of distressing experiences.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, EMDR, has been extensively researched and proven effective for a variety of issues and diverse populations.
You might benefit from EMDR if…
You’ve gone through a traumatic event, whether recent or from the past, that still lingers vividly in your mind, bringing pain or a sense of being stuck.
You might find yourself quickly affected by sights, sounds, smells, or situations that remind you of past experiences.
You avoid places, people, or feelings that cause distress.
You experience persistent anxiety, panic attacks, or a constant feeling of being “on edge.”
You know something from your past is affecting your present—but you can’t seem to get past it.
You feel like you’ve tried talking about it, but it no longer helps.
You have nightmares, flashbacks, or strong emotional reactions that seem difficult to manage.
You hold negative self-beliefs such as "I’m not safe,” “I’m not good enough,” “It was my fault.”
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, often referred to by its acronym- EMDR, is a powerful therapeutic approach to treat the lasting and negative impacts of distressing experiences.EMDR was first discovered and developed by Francine Shapiro, Ph.D.
EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. The AIP is informed by how the brain processes and links memories, which, in turn, are the basis for pathology and health.
Simply put, a successful reprocessed experience will be integrated, and you’ll remember it just as an experience.
If, on the other hand, the experience was not processed adequately, your brain will probably continue to send alarms as if the event/situation was still happening. If it feels like you are unable to get away from the experience(s), then your brain continues to send alarms even when unnecessary. This is where most people find themselves feeling stuck and unable to differentiate between true and false alarms.
According to the EMDR International Association, EMDRIA, “Many of the current problems that people come to therapy for such as anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, etc., are rooted in memories of traumatic or adverse life experiences.”
In other words, the past is present. However, EMDR is a comprehensive approach that integrates past, present, and future.
One of the central components of EMDR is bilateral stimulation, which can happen in the form of eye movements, tones, or tactile sensations, to help engage both sides of the brain and facilitate integration. In our work, my clients are encouraged to try out what type of bilateral stimulation works best for them.
Curious about how EMDR works?
Check out this video to learn more about how trauma and unprocessed painful experiences impact the brain, and how EMDR can help.
Courtesy of EMDR International Association
EMDR trauma therapy: a powerful route to healing!
Because EMDR sees memories as the basis for pathology and health, EMDR can help by reprocessing memories that were stored in an excitatory form. For example, if you must leave your house due to an emergency, chances are, you are not taking time to tidy up or make sure everything is neatly put away.
Similarly, when responding to stress, the brain activates the emergency signals and prioritizes safety over tidying up. Makes sense, right? However, this is where the memories are not integrated appropriately, making you feel as if the past was never left in the past.
In reprocessing, we help you return to the house. We first assess the situation, make sure it’s safe, and then move to put the pieces together. We help your brain determine what it needs, reorganize, and reprocess the memories.
Through the trauma lens, traumatic events can include those that are a threat to our lives and/or someone else’s life. Those events that directly impacted us, or we have seen the potential impact on someone else. Trauma can be a single incident or a combination of incidents.
Some traumatic events are explicitly available to our perception as being traumatic, for example, “I was in a car accident and now I am afraid of getting into a car.” Others, we might not even have the words or the knowledge about, for example: “I don’t even know what I am feeling other than I just want to run.” These are normal responses to abnormal circumstances.
With that, I am trying to say that EMDR can help with a variety of situations/stressors.
What can EMDR help with?
The Eight Phases of EMDR
One of EMDR’s strengths is that it provides a map for our work. Of course, our pace and work are ultimately decided by you. As a therapist, I am always bringing attention to the process and making recommendations, but you get to decide where we go. And, the EMDR map informs our decisions. That map usually consists of eight phases:
History
We learn about you, what’s bringing you here, and what has worked or not.
Preparation
We work towards taking steps to get you ready for reprocessing. We help you gain awareness of yourself and how you process. We help you understand and experience your window of tolerance and coping strategies.
Assessment
We assess the memories needing to be reprocessed. We develop a list of “targets” for us to address.
Desensitization
We work on one target to reprocess with the use of bilateral stimulation, somatic and emotional manifestations, and negative beliefs.
Installation
Let’s work to install new insight and awareness!
Closure
We help you bring the memory to a close, or a pause if still needing to continue working on it.
Body Scan
Let’s check in with the body. What is it holding? Any residual material?
Reevaluation
This is a follow-up to review any other material that might be showing up.
When considering EMDR trauma therapy, the preparation and experience of the therapist matter.
I’m an EMDRIA-certified therapist offering EMDR online therapy in NC, as well as in-person sessions at our Cornelius office.
Are we ready to process?
EMDR enables us to work through trauma without becoming trapped in the narrative — and many clients experience significant progress after only a few sessions.
It creates change by tapping into the brain’s natural ability for healing. The change occurs in the areas of the brain where memories, sensations, and emotions are stored.
Oftentimes, talk therapy is unable to reach these areas. This is why you “know” what happened but continue to “feel” trapped/stuck/distressed.
Intellectual knowledge can be helpful, but profound change requires a different approach.