What can I expect in a session?

EMDR is different for everyone, because the healing process is guided from within. Sometimes past issues or memories come up, which are related to the current concern. Sometimes a painful memory brings up unpleasant emotions or body sensations. This is normal and generally passes within a few minutes, as long as the EMDR is not stopped. The upsetting emotion or memory often seems to fade into the past. EMDR does not erase the memory from your mind, it simply loses its power and impact on your life.

I will help you activate your brain’s information processing system by either giving you a device to hold, by following my fingers as I move them back and forth, or any other strategy that will work for you. You will then be guided to bring up the painful memory so that it can processed. Little talking will actually be done during this process.  

Before we start processing your painful memories, we will have several sessions beforehand to discuss what you will be working on and to address any concerns that you have. When we start the processing sessions, these sessions usually last 90 minutes long. If it is not possible for you to attend a 90-minute session, accommodations will be made.

Why bring up a painful memory?

When painful memories are avoided, they keep their disturbing power. Just because you don’t think of the memory, this does not mean that it does not impact your life. In therapy, and with EMDR, you can face the memory in a safe setting, so that you do not feel overwhelmed. Then you can get through it and move on.

Will I be in control?

It is hard to predict the thoughts, feelings, or memories that might come up during EMDR. However, you are always in charge of whether to continue or stop. You can also decide how much to tell the therapist about the experience. What is important is that you are willing to experience upsetting emotions and thoughts, knowing that this process has an end and afterwards the memory and everything that comes along with it will no longer be so upsetting.

How long does EMDR therapy take?

This depends on several factors including the nature of the problem being treated, the client's history, and the client's ability and willingness to tolerate high levels of disturbance. Depending on your circumstance, EMDR can last a few months to at least a year. When EMDR therapy is used appropriately, it can significantly shorten the overall length of time in therapy.

I am interested to see if EMDR is appropriate for me, what do I do?

I am happy to discuss if EMDR would be an appropriate treatment for your current struggles. Please email me or contact ClearMinds Center for Emotional Health using the information below to set up an appointment.

What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. It is considered a comprehensive psychotherapy approach that combines techniques from psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and somatic-focused approaches. Therefore, a person is being treated from “all angles”. It is not a form of hypnotherapy.

It is a well-studied, effective therapy for treating trauma, including any difficult life experiences one has had that has a continuing impact on them.

EMDR is also effective for issues such as:

  • Anxiety (including panic, phobias, performance anxiety)

  • Depression

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Addictions

  • Recurring relationship problems

  • Guilt and anger

How does EMDR work?

Our brain has a natural mechanism for processing events in our lives. It receives information from the event, records it as a memory, and then stores it in a “memory filing cabinet”. As we continuously experience and learn new things, our brain combines similar information/memories so that we can build knowledge.

When we experience something difficult or traumatizing, our brain is not able to process, record, and store the information as it typically does. Specifically, the brain forgets to put a date on the painful memory. So, even after the event has passed, and then the memory of that event gets triggered, your brain acts like you are still in that situation. And so, the way you act in the present is impacted by these unprocessed, painful memories.

These painful memories are also stored in a completely different memory filing cabinet from your other memories which are in the “main” filing cabinet. And so, these memories do not get the chance to learn from new experiences. For example, if you were bitten by a spider in the past and have become afraid of spiders, even new experiences with spiders don’t seem to help you see that not all spiders are harmful.

EMDR activates this natural information processing system in your brain to help link your isolated painful memories with the other memories, so that they can all be in the same filing cabinet. Your brain, all on its own, starts to use the information from the main memory cabinet, that it has accumulated over your lifetime, to help process your painful memories so that they are less disturbing.

 After successful EMDR therapy, you often find that you can respond to what is happening in the present time without being so impacted by your past. For example, if you see a spider, you do not immediately think it will hurt you, which helps you not be so anxious around them.