What is EMDR?

When facing emotional wounds or traumatic experiences, finding the right therapeutic modality can make all the difference in your journey towards healing.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a therapeutic approach gaining recognition for its effectiveness in treating traumatic memories.

EMDR therapy is rooted in the understanding that traumatic experiences can overwhelm the brain's natural coping mechanisms, leaving the memories of these experiences improperly processed.

This can lead to distressing symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, anxiety, and even physical discomfort. The goal of EMDR is to help the brain reprocess these memories in a way that reduces their lingering impact, thereby alleviating current distress.

So how does EMDR work? Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR incorporates bilateral stimulation, which can be achieved through eye movements, taps, or sounds. These bilateral stimulations engage both hemispheres of the brain, facilitating the processing of traumatic memories to completion.

During an EMDR session, I will guide you to briefly focus on distressing memories while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation. This process aims to lessen the emotional intensity associated with those memories, allowing for a more adaptive resolution.

One of the strengths of EMDR is its structured approach. Sessions typically involve several phases: history-taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation of positive cognition, and closure.

Throughout these phases, I will collaborate with you to identify specific memories or beliefs contributing to your distress and to develop adaptive coping mechanisms.

EMDR is not only used for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but has also been effective in addressing a wide range of issues such as phobias, anxiety disorders, depression, and even performance anxiety.

Research has shown that EMDR can produce significant improvements in symptoms and overall well-being, often in a shorter time frame compared to traditional therapy.

I have found EMDR highly effective with reprocessing developmental trauma as well.

It's important to note that while EMDR can be highly effective, it may not be suitable for everyone.

Like any therapeutic approach, its success depends on factors such as individual history, readiness, and the therapeutic relationship with the EMDR-trained therapist.

This is why I will typically work with clients for a period of time in talk therapy first to establish a relationship, and to assess whether and when EMDR might be suitable.

EMDR Therapy Stock photos by Vecteezy <"https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos/emdr-therapy">

How does an EMDR session go?

When you come in for an EMDR therapy session with me, we will approach the experience with curiosity and an attitude of openness to what needs to come up. We'll begin by discussing which memory or negative self-belief you’d like to address.

We’ll spend some time identifying the specific memory, getting a picture of the worst part of the experience, the negative belief you took with you from that experience, and how you feel in your body as you think about it.

Once we’re prepared, the reprocessing phase begins. I will have you hold the picture, belief, and body sensation in mind briefly, and then begin bilateral stimulation (usually either following my fingers back and forth with your eyes or holding vibrating paddles).

This process helps your brain reprocess these memories in a way that reduces their emotional impact over time. Throughout the reprocessing phase, I'll be there to guide and support you, ensuring you feel safe and empowered throughout the process.

People experience this phase very uniquely. Where one person reports staying primarily with the original memory and seeing it from different perspectives, another person may notice their mind bouncing from one related memory to the next.

And yet another person may experience various body sensations and very little mental imagery. This is the part where keeping an open, curious mind to whatever is coming up is key.

As our session unfolds, you’ll likely notice changes in how you perceive these memories.

It's natural to experience a range of emotions – from sadness to nervousness, from anger to powerlessness, from relief to clarity.

I'll help you navigate these feelings, providing tools to manage any discomfort that may arise. By the end of our session, many clients express feeling a sense of relief as the intensity of those memories begins to lessen.

Afterward, we'll discuss what came up for you and any insights you gained from our work together. EMDR typically involves several sessions tailored to your specific needs and progress.

Many of my clients have found that beyond healing past traumas, EMDR enhances their emotional resilience, empowering them to navigate life's challenges with greater strength and clarity.

My office is located at:

3120 Telegraph Ave. Suite 3A

Berkeley, CA  94705

How does EMDR work?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a transformative therapy designed to help you heal from traumatic experiences.

During EMDR sessions, you’ll recall distressing memories while also experiencing gentle bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, taps, or sounds.

This unique process helps your brain reprocess these memories, reducing their emotional grip on you. The aim is to integrate these experiences into your broader life story, allowing you to move forward with less emotional distress.

Imagine your mind as a library, with memories stored in books on the shelves.

Traumatic memories are like books scattered all over the floor, making it hard to move around.

EMDR is like having a skilled librarian by your side, helping you pick up those scattered books and place them back on the shelves where they belong.

By guiding your focus between the traumatic memory and the external stimuli, EMDR helps your brain organize these memories, making them easier to access without the same emotional turmoil.

This way, you can navigate your mental library with greater ease and find peace in your story.

Testimonials

“Doing EMDR therapy with Troy has been incredibly transformative for me. I had been carrying the weight of unresolved trauma for years, and it affected every aspect of my life. From the beginning, Troy helped me feel safe and guided me through the EMDR process with care. As we worked through my memories, I could feel the emotional intensity diminishing.

With each session, I felt lighter and more in control. The nightmares and flashbacks that once plagued me became less frequent and eventually stopped altogether! As my trust in people grew, my relationships rapidly improved, and I found myself engaging more fully with my life. Therapy, and EMDR specifically, have allowed me to heal in ways I truly never thought were possible, and I am deeply grateful for the positive changes it has brought to my life.”

- Benjamin G.

"I’ve been in and out of therapy for 20 years. EMDR has been an absolute game-changer for me! I had been dealing with depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem for years due to complex childhood trauma. Troy suggested we try EMDR, and honestly, it felt like magic. Because of the severity of my childhood experiences, it took some time, but eventually I started noticing I wasn't as triggered at social gatherings, especially by comments and interactions that used to send me spiraling into endless rumination. Other times, I could still feel the old trigger, but having reprocessed the memories helped me access that I was actually safe, even through the trigger. I became more able to ground myself in my body and remember who I am now, not just who I was as a powerless kid. As of the past year or so, I can interact with my family without feeling like I'm walking on eggshells, and I've started setting healthy boundaries with some of them. Going through the EMDR process with Troy helped me get my life back on track. I can't recommend him highly enough!"

- A.H.

Do you offer consultative EMDR if I’m already working with an individual therapist?

Yes. If you would like to consider this option, I typically recommend that we do at least a few initial sessions to get to know each other. I will assess your readiness and the suitability of EMDR to your concerns, and share my assessment transparently with you once I feel clear about whether I feel we can proceed.

Does EMDR work for everyone?

No, and the reasons are complicated. From my experience, EMDR works most consistently for people who 1) have a clear, unambiguous target memory to reprocess, 2) are relatively unconflicted within themselves about their desire to reprocess the memory, 3) are adequately able to ground themselves following distress, and 4) do not have a high degree of dissociation in their self-protection system.

Because the answer to whether EMDR will be effective is so complicated, I find it is important to adequately assess these factors before proceeding with EMDR.

If you would like to find out more about any of these factors to see if EMDR is right for you, please click the link below and send me a message by clicking here.

Interested but not sure you’re ready to take the leap yet?

Starting a new therapy can be daunting! I am invested in making sure you have all the information you need to decide if working together is right for you.

Give me a shout, I’d love to answer any of your questions about EMDR!