What is EMDR?
You may have heard of EMDR before and wondered—what does that mean? And how could it help me? I’m here to unpack the basics for you!
What is EMDR?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. The name can be a bit misleading because, in practice, it may not always involve eye movement. In short, EMDR is a structured, evidence-based practice that supports the brain’s natural healing process for trauma and other distressing experiences. It involves a set of eight phases that a clinician guides a client through in sequence. These methods were originally developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, who discovered that shifting her focus left and right while thinking about a difficult memory decreased her distress.
Who Can Provide EMDR?
The regulatory body for EMDR practice is EMDRIA (EMDR International Association). Your EMDR provider should be trained through an EMDRIA-approved organization. Training typically involves 5–6 full days of learning and applied experience to ensure a provider fully understands how to use this practice effectively with clients.
If you’re seeking a highly experienced EMDR therapist, look for EMDR certification, which includes additional levels of training and consultation.
If you are searching for an EMDR therapist in Baltimore, Maryland, or Colorado, I am here to help.
What Does an EMDR Session Look Like?
An EMDR processing session may involve:
Bilateral Eye Movement
Tactile Stimulation
Auditory Stimulation
These forms of bilateral stimulation are used while you simultaneously think about a past memory. Before diving into this phase, your EMDR therapist will support you in building resources and coping skills that you can use during the processing if needed.
The goal of EMDR is to decrease distressing emotions associated with certain memories as you move through the session. EMDR therapy leverages the brain’s natural healing abilities, allowing your thoughts to go where they need to for healing and integration.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR?
According to EMDRIA, EMDR therapy is beneficial for a wide range of issues, including:
PTSD
Anxiety Disorders
Depression
Dissociative Disorders
Chronic Illness and Pain
Eating Disorders
Personality Disorders
EMDR can also be particularly helpful for individuals coping with medical trauma or those seeking relief from chronic stress and emotional overwhelm.
Explore how EMDR can be part of your healing journey. Whether you’re in Baltimore, Maryland, or Colorado, I’m here to support you every step of the way.
This is just a very brief summary: To learn more, you can explore https://www.emdria.org/!
If you’re looking to get started with an EMDR therapist today, you can schedule a free consult call here!
Elizabeth Allen, LCPAT, LGPC, ATR-BC
Creative Pathways Counseling LLC
