EMDR Therapy? What's That?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Eye Moveme-huh!? We know – the name is overwhelming, but not as overwhelming as disturbing past experiences. EMDR therapy is proven to help reprocess past life experiences that in turn will reduce the emotional and physiological charges you are experiencing in the present. EMDR directly adjusts the way your brain processes information. Yeah, seriously. It specifically addresses disturbing, emotional, and impactful experiences that get “hung” in your brain’s information processing system.

This stuck place does not allow you to heal from the pains of the past. So, enter EMDR! EMDR is an amazing and proven process for healing in ways our normal talk therapy can’t. EMDR utilizes “bilateral stimulation”, or in other words, a side-to-side pattern via sight, hearing, or touch. This bilateral stimulation allows the brain to recall the disturbing images, emotions, or thoughts from the past and reprocess them in the brain resulting in more peaceful, resolved feels. EMDR works well to combat symptoms related to addiction, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and trauma to name a few.

In the room with EMDR

EMDR is an 8 phase therapy:

  1. History: Let’s talk, plan, and map it out.
  2. Preparation: Establish a safe/calm space in your mind and discuss the deets of what’s to come in phases 3-7.
  3. Assessment: Answer some questions to set the scene and allow yourself to hitch a ride in the time machine.
  4. Desensitization: With bilateral stimulation, you’re now journeying on the boat, down Willy Wonka’s tunnel of disturbing material. This piece can be the most challenging, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel!
  5. Installation: Install and strengthen the positive belief about yourself, replacing the negative belief that has riddled you for some time.
  6. Body Scan: Close those eyes and with your mind’s eye, scan your body from head to toe, searching for any comfort or discomfort.
  7. Closure: Look at you, rock star! You did it!!!
  8. Reevaluation: Check back in and make sure you’re still good!

 

Always remember, your mental health directly impacts your physical too so pay attention! If you think EMDR may be helpful for you, contact us. We have a number of therapists who specialize in this approach.

 

About Brittney Tatum

Brittney Tatum, LPC, received her Bachelor's Degree from New Mexico State University and her Master's Degree from Dallas Baptist University. Obeying her calling, she works with black men’s issues, couples, emotional abuse recovery, first responders, race relations, self-esteem building, trauma, and childhood trauma recovery. Brittney is EMDR trained but plans to continuously expand her specialties and skill set, understanding the interconnectedness of so many of our challenges. Brittney's approach to mental wellness is anchored in honoring a client’s experiences while empowering their ability to chart a future of their choice. What you can expect from sessions with Brittney is a functional blend between textbook theory, real-life application, and the practical tools to help her clients thrive. Brittney understands that growth and progress can force one to feel all the feels, so one of her goals in session is making certain her clients leave the session with hope and a smile. She sees adults, couples, and families at Lifeologie Counseling Dallas.

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