Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy technique that helps people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress caused by previous traumatic or disturbing life experiences.  EMDR therapy facilitates the processing of traumatic memories and other difficult life experiences to help transform them into an adaptive resolution. EMDR therapy involves attention to three time periods: the past, present, and future.  Focus is given to past upsetting memories and related events, current situations that cause distress, and developing the skills and attitudes needed for positive future behaviors. EMDR involves a multi-phase treatment approach, which includes history taking, resource development, and active reprocessing of identified traumas or stressors. During EMDR therapy, the client attends to emotionally disturbing material while also focusing on an external stimulus. These external stimuli might include clinician-directed lateral eye movements, hand-tapping/stimulation, or audio stimulation.

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It is believed that EMDR therapy facilitates access to the traumatic memory network, enhancing information processing by making new associations between traumatic memory and more adaptive information. After successful treatment with EMDR therapy, affective distress is relieved, negative beliefs are reformulated, and physiological arousal is reduced. Furthermore, the meaning of painful events is transformed on an emotional level.

At Paragon Therapy, we have clinicians who use EMDR to treat a number of problems, such as depression, anxiety, grief, loss, trauma, chronic illness, pain,  and sleep disturbances.

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