What is EMDR Therapy?
By: Amber Cherrette
EMDR Therapy is a therapeutic modality that is used to help clients heal from traumatic events. EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. This modality was originally created by Dr. Francine Shapiro and found effective for clients impacted by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dr. Shapiro discovered this modality by chance, after observing for herself that spontaneous repeated eye moments had a desensitizing effect on previously distressing thoughts. Since it was developed in 1987 however, it is effective at treating a wide variety of additional presenting issues and life disturbances including depression, anxiety, panic, divorce, and life transitions to name a few.
How Does EMDR Therapy work?
After a traumatic or distressing event, sometimes a person can find that they are having difficulty integrating the information from that event. That event, due to how our body and brain respond during stress, stays and is stored unprocessed The pictures, thoughts, sounds, scents, and feelings may become stuck and cause distressing symptoms day to day. EMDR therapy at our Colorado-based therapy practice helps individuals identify stuck pieces, and use the brain’s inherent system to process and re-integrate those stuck pieces. This modality will not erase any memories, instead, these memories will no longer be tied to and activate the same distress that is present prior to treatment.
How does eye movement fit into this?
EMDR therapists in Colorado use eye movement as a way to stimulate both hemispheres of the brain and activate the brain’s inherent information-processing system. Other methods of activating both hemispheres of the brain, or bi-lateral dual attention stimulation, have been developed. Sometimes alternating hand taps or auditory tones can be used as well. This bilateral dual attention stimulation, or is what helps process and integrate stuck, distressing information.
How can I begin EMDR therapy in Broomfield, Denver, or Throughout Colorado?
Discover a path to healing and transformation with the experts at our Denver-based therapy practice or our Broomfield-based therapy practice. If you're facing challenges like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, panic, divorce, or life transitions, EMDR therapy could be the key to unlocking a brighter future. Our EMDR therapists specialize in helping individuals identify and process stuck pieces, using the brain's natural system to reintegrate memories without activating distress. Take the first step towards a more empowered and resilient you.
Schedule a consultation with our compassionate therapists at WellMinded Counseling
Start exploring the possibilities of EMDR therapy with support
Unlock a brighter future without negative memories
OTHER COUNSELING SERVICES AT WELLMINDED COUNSELING in Colorado & Florida
Therapy for depression isn’t the only service we offer. WellMinded Counseling offers the following counseling services: