EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an empowerment therapy as it provides space for you to realize and regain your personal power. In EMDR Therapy, you are the agent of change (not the therapist).

EMDR is a psychotherapy that enables healing from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences.

In EMDR Therapy, “processing" does not mean talking about the trauma and distressing material. EMDR therapy is different from other therapies because it does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue. In EMDR Therapy, ”processing" means creating a learning state that will allow these stuck experiences causing problems to be "digested" by your brain and nervous system. EMDR therapy allows the brain to resume its natural healing process.  Once these experiences have been “digested” (or “metabolized”) by the system you may no longer experience the irrational beliefs, negative emotions, blocked energy, and/or physical symptoms, such as anxiety, phobias, flashbacks, nightmares and/or fears which were associated with the trauma.

To learn more about EMDR, visit the EMDRIA website: https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/

EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. EMDR activates the brain's natural healing mechanism. Once the block is removed, healing resumes (from EMDR Institute).

EMDR therapy can help children and adults of all ages. Therapists use EMDR therapy to address a wide range of challenges including:

• Anxiety, panic attacks and phobias

• Chronic Illness and medical issues

• Depression and bipolar disorders

• Dissociative disorders

• Eating disorders

• Grief and loss

• Chronic Pain

• Performance anxiety

• Personality disorders

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex Trauma (CPTSD) and other trauma and stress-related issues

• Sexual assault

• Sleep disturbance

• Substance use/abuse and addiction

• Violence and abuse

  (From https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/)

EMDR is so much more than just eye movements! (And fun fact, some folks don't even use eye movements but instead tap or listen to auditory beats or use pulsers).

EMDR therapy has a specific protocol and consists of 8 Phases:

• Phase 1: History Taking and Treatment Planning: Obtain general history and identify treatment goals. We also assess for readiness for EMDR Therapy including readiness for change and motivation.

• Phase 2: Preparation - Preparation for EMDR Therapy, including assessing stability, strengthening sense of calm, grounding and safety, and learning/practicing healthy coping skills. One of the primary goals of the preparation phase is to establish a relationship of trust between the client and the therapist. 

• Phase 3: Assessment - Access, activate and assess target memory/experience to be desensitized and reprocessed.

• Phase 4: Desensitization - Reprocess selected targets toward adaptive resolution (SUD = 0) utilizing BLS (Bilateral Stimulation).

• Phase 5: Installation - Recheck appropriateness and validity of Positive Cognition (PC), utilize BLS to integrate positive effects when linked to original target (VOC = 7).

• Phase 6: Body Scan - Check body for any residual elements associated with traumatic memories, utilize BLS to clear any remaining physical disturbance.

• Phase 7: Closure - Closing a session, can do this with grounding, debriefing, creating a self-care plan between sessions and/or engaging in an EMDR resource.

• Phase 8: Reevaluation - Follow-up and checking in on EMDR therapy done in previous session.

Great news! EMDR with Blue Sky Therapy is available both in-person and virtually (and also can be offered as a hybrid).

EMDR Therapy can be done in-person at my office in Joshua Tree OR in the comfort of your own home. Some folks prefer being in-person and some choose to meet virtually.

Per EMDRIA:
What Does the Research Say? Research is beginning to support what EMDR therapists are seeing in their practice: good clinical outcomes. Initial studies suggest that yes, EMDR therapy is not only a viable option for in-person therapy but has resulted in substantial mental health improvements.

You can also view this study here:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10990439/

EMDR therapy is listed as a treatment for PTSD and/or other trauma and stressor disorders by the following organizations:

• Department of Veterans Affairs

• International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies

• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

• American Psychological Association

• World Health Organization

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services America

• American Psychiatric Association

• Department of Defense

• United National High Commissioner for Refugees

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. 

Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes, showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences (Maxfield, 2019).

EMDR Therapy is a recognized effective treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). EMDR therapy is widely considered one of the best treatments for PTSD and it has been endorsed as an effective therapy by many organizations (via EMDR International Association).