The long and short of it is EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a specialized type of therapy. EMDR was initially developed to help treat PTSD starting in the late 1980s. Since that time EMDR has been studied and researched extensively and has shown to be helpful in treating not only PTSD, but also concerns such as depression, anxiety and other related conditions.

You don’t necessarily have to have PTSD, Depression or Anxiety to benefit. Concerns such as negative self-talk, negative beliefs about yourself or the world around you or doubts about your skills and abilities can be treated with EMDR.

The most fascinating part is, we don’t quite know how or why EMDR works! There are a variety of theories about what is happening (and I tend to think it is a combination of all of them).

EMDR can be thought of as a way to “rewire” your brain and how you think about yourself and the world around you. In fact, studies have shown that after EMDR treatment, a person’s grey matter (the part of your brain in charge of your conscious thoughts, knowledge, memories, that sort of thing) actually increases in density. It can quite literally change the structure of your brain and how it works!

EMDR is different than “regular” “talk” therapy. After some preparation and background work (which are helpful in and of themselves), the healing comes from within the client’s own self.

Through the process, the therapist serves as a skilled, trained navigator and facilitator. We’re working together with the “feeling” part of your brain, which is usually the underlying cause of negative beliefs about yourself and many other mental health symptoms.

The most important part is, that in the end, as we identify and resolve whatever it is that is holding you back, the changes you are seeking tend to start happening organically! I don’t have to “talk you into it.”