EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly effective psychotherapy approach that helps people heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has since become one of the most researched and validated treatments for PTSD and trauma.

EMDR works by stimulating both sides of the brain through bilateral stimulation—typically eye movements—while you briefly focus on traumatic memories. This process appears to unlock the brain's natural healing mechanisms, allowing memories to be processed and integrated in a way that reduces their emotional charge.

At Eden Vale, our EMDR-trained therapists integrate this powerful modality into comprehensive treatment programs. Whether you're addressing specific traumatic events, complex developmental trauma, or the distressing memories underlying addiction, EMDR can accelerate your healing journey.

When we experience trauma, the brain's normal information processing can become disrupted. Traumatic memories get stored in a "raw," unprocessed form, complete with the vivid images, sounds, thoughts, and emotions from the original event. When something triggers these memories, we can experience the past as if it's happening now—flashbacks, intense emotions, physical sensations. EMDR appears to tap into the brain's natural healing system. During REM sleep, our brains process the day's experiences through rapid eye movements. EMDR mimics this process while awake, focusing on specific memories. During EMDR, you'll briefly focus on a traumatic memory while following your therapist's fingers with your eyes (or receiving other bilateral stimulation). Sets of these movements are interspersed with conversation about what you're experiencing. Most people notice the memory becoming less vivid and less emotionally charged. The memory isn't erased—it's transformed. It becomes a normal memory you can recall without distress, filed in the past where it belongs rather than constantly intruding into the present.

EMDR follows a structured eight-phase protocol: Phase 1 - History Taking: Understanding your history, identifying target memories, and creating a treatment plan. Phase 2 - Preparation: Learning about EMDR, building rapport, and developing resources for managing distress. Phase 3 - Assessment: Identifying the specific memory to target, including images, negative beliefs, emotions, and body sensations. Phase 4 - Desensitization: The core processing phase using bilateral stimulation to reduce the memory's emotional charge. Phase 5 - Installation: Strengthening positive beliefs to replace the negative beliefs associated with the memory. Phase 6 - Body Scan: Checking for and processing any remaining physical tension related to the memory. Phase 7 - Closure: Ensuring you're stable and calm before ending the session, with techniques for managing any lingering effects. Phase 8 - Reevaluation: At the next session, reviewing progress and determining next targets. This structured approach ensures thorough processing while maintaining your safety and stability.