EMDR Therapy
Offered by Heather Vanderkam, RSW
EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a therapeutic technique to treat distressing and/or traumatic memories. EMDR has been recognized by the WHO as one of the most effective and safest ways to treat trauma.
EMDR can be accessed for a variety of distressing memories. Whether they be significant childhood memories of recent life experiences. This could include, but is not limited to: birth trauma, miscarriage, unsuccessful fertility treatment, significant conflict with family or partner, parenting stressors, etc.
EMDR has been successful in treating memories which lead to current anxiety symptoms, depression, PTSD and more.
What to expect from EMDR Therapy
EMDR utilizes dual attention stimuli. This allows for clients to be physically present in the moment, while allowing the brain to access the distressing memory to re-process. Dual attention stimuli could include eye movement, however could also involve alternative tapping, sounds, movements, etc. Eye movement is not required to be able to successfully complete EMDR therapy. Clinicians prepare clients for reprocessing by taking a thorough history, and developing safety and stabilization tools prior to addressing the trauma. EMDR does not make traumatic memories disappear. It allows the brain to shift out of the fight or flight response associated with them, in order to heal the symptoms and emotional distress caused by the traumatic event.
EMDR does not require describing all the details of the event or homework.
For more information about EMDR therapy, check out: About EMDR Therapy - EMDR International Association (emdria.org)
How to access EMDR:
If you are interested in seeing whether EMDR is right for you, begin by booking an EMDR assessment appointment with Heather Vanderkam.
In this meeting, you will discuss the presenting concern and symptoms you are experiencing, begin a history-taking, and determine whether EMDR or traditional talk therapy approaches would be the best treatment options for you.
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