Regulus Trauma Counseling (EMDR)

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy technique which helps with trauma, universally considered as one of the best treatments for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). EMDR is also effective in helping with conditions including panic attacks, complicated grief, disturbing memories, as well as stress reduction and other somatic symptoms. Rather than requiring clients to discuss their distressing memories in detail, EMDR focuses on the brain’s natural healing ability, using guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help reprocess and integrate painful memories.

Our clinicians are trained in EMDR specifically to help our clients who have experienced trauma to help alleviate their trauma symptoms, with the goal to return them to their pre-event functioning, where many clients report noticeable improvement in their symptoms after just a few sessions. EMDR has been extensively researched and recognized as an effective treatment for:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other Traumas
• Anxiety Disorders
• Panic Attacks
• Depression linked to trauma
• Grief and Loss
• Attachment injuries
• Phobias
• Chronic feelings of shame or guilt

How does EMDR work?

When a traumatic or overwhelming event occurs, the brain can struggle to process and store that memory in a healthy way, leading to distressing symptoms, including flashbacks, nightmares, or anxiety. In the case of PTSD, one moment can be frozen in time— remembering that trauma may feel as if he or she is experiencing it in that moment, with the images, sounds, smells, and feelings just as vivid. These memories have a lasting impact which interferes with the way the individual sees the world, and the way he or she relates to other people. 

The eye movements help to reduce the intensity of the disturbing thoughts associated with the distressing event, removing the emotional response to the event, allowing the brain to reprocess the memories in a way which they no longer carry the intense emotional charge they once did. Simply, the once powerful emotion is removed from the upsetting memory. Through a series of carefully guided steps, clients shift the emotional response, decrease symptoms, and build healthier, adaptive beliefs about themselves and the world. 

What to expect in EMDR Therapy?

EMDR typically follows an eight-phase, structured process:

History-taking and treatment planning: we work with you to identify specific memories to target

Preparation: we provide education about the EMDR process and teach healthy coping skills for managing emotional distress

Assessment: we help identify specific images, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations associated with the target memory

Desensitization: using bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements), we support your brain’s natural healing process

Installation: we work to strengthen positive, adaptive beliefs

Body scan: we help ensure there are no lingering physical distress remaining

Closure: every session ends with ground techniques to ensure you leave feeling safe

Reevaluation: we monitor progress and address any additional needs in subsequent sessions

What is the end result of EMDR?

EMDR has yielded significant success rates in helping clients with PTSD and other trauma-related issues. Our founder and clinical director’s training in EMDR and success rate have significantly served individuals with trauma, including law enforcement and military Veterans (because of the nature of their work), as well as front line workers (professionals within the medical field, or roles in care giving). 

The general sentiment among clients who have participated in EMDR is that they no longer relive or feel the intense emotion associated with the traumatic event; rather, the client feels as if he or she was watching the event from a third-person perspective, similar to someone watching a scene in a movie. That traumatic event becomes a neutral scene, devoid of any emotional association, as the individual becomes desensitized to that event. EMDR can help clients move beyond the painful memories and reduce the anxiety, while building resilience and confidence, empowering you to regain control in your life. 

EMDR is a mental health intervention, only to be offered and facilitated by properly-trained and licensed mental health clinicians. EMDR has been an emerging technique—not all mental health professionals are trained in EMDR. 

We, nor EMDRIA, the premier organization in the training and certification of EMDR, condone or support indiscriminate uses of EMDR therapy. Please do your research. We encourage you to ask your clinician questions about his or her training in EMDR and address any additional concerns.