EMDR

EMDR and Art Therapy: Radio show with Health Coach Dr. Nick Bianchi

What is it?

EMDR is a research-based therapy.  It was developed in the late eighties in the US and was initially used for war veterans with PTSD ( Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). It has quickly come to be useful in eliminating all the symptoms associated with stress and trauma, like flashbacks, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, phobias on to depression, over-reactive anger, worrying, and disturbed sleep and so on. It has been studied and validated all around the world. In 2013 the World Health Organization approved EMDR as a top tier therapy.

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing though it does not have much to do with the eyes. We use bi-lateral movement stimulation. Sometimes I might wave my hand in front of your eyes back and forth, or we can get the same effects with bi-lateral body movement, like tapping and headsets using alternating beeps.

You likely have bad memories that you are at peace with, that is an example of how the brain is working as it should. Sometimes memories get stuck in the information processing system of the brain, along with pictures, sounds, smells, tastes, emotions and body sensations, which were all part of the original experience. When memories are stuck, this is where EMDR, “desensitizes and reprocesses” the memory, helping your brain reprocess the memory, to a point of remembering the event that it no longer bothers you and you have peace with it.

Science does not know exactly what happens in the brain during EMDR, we think it might be similar to the dream stage of sleep, your REM state. EMDR may be a kind of accelerated, conscious version of REM sleep.

During an EMDR session, you think of an issue or traumatic memory and we do a number of bi-lateral sets. Like a metaphor of watching a movie or sitting in a train watching the scene go by. All you have to do is notice and let it go by. Your brain is going to take you where you need to go. You need to know that you might experience intense emotions, both during EMDR sessions and perhaps between sessions. This can be difficult and tiring emotional work. You may need to really take extra gentle care of yourself in this work.

PRIVACY

Elke Scholz,  MA, RP, REACE, Certified EMDR Therapist – in Canada and USA, respects and understands people’s right to privacy and confidentiality. Information can not be given out without informed consent. Please feel free to discuss our confidentiality process and procedures. We have a legal and professional obligation to report to the appropriate authorities only in cases where individuals are at risk to themselves or others, where there is a suspicion of child abuse, or as requested by court order.