What is EMDR …?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy utilizing Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) – usually in the form of eye movements following visual cues, tapping, or auditory tones – in order to accelerate the brain’s own capacity to process information and enable healing from past experiences. Memories that the EMDR protocol addresses, ranging from troubling to deeply distressing, can become “stuck” in the brain along with the thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations that were originally experienced. The experience and its associated traumas remain activated, leading the nervous system to respond as though the events are still happening in the present.

BLS stimulates the same eye movements which occur during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) or ‘dream’ sleep and allows the thinking and feeling parts of the brain to work in conjunction with one another to reintegrate stuck events. This reintegration allows new meaning to be taken from the experience and enables successful transfer of the events into long-term memory. Some clients experience relief or positive effects in just a few sessions.

EMDR is effective in alleviating symptoms related to adverse or troubling life events, thoughts, or feelings, whether the event or concern is current, more recent, or occurred many years ago. EMDR often yields desired results with little talking and without homework in between sessions. In some cases, it can reduce or limit the need for medications that treat symptoms such as anxiety or depression.

So What …?

Sometimes the symptoms we experience as a result of adverse or traumatic experiences have the effect of disconnecting us from ourselves, our most valued relationships, and the world around us. This can happen when the meaning taken from a stressful experience – when our nervous system was activated – remains along with the associated distressing thoughts, images, and sensory information. It is as though the past continues to occur in the present, shaping how we show up in relationships and connect with ourselves and with the world.

Now What …?

If you are interested in learning more about EMDR and how it might align with your therapy goals, please reach out and schedule a free 15-minute consult with Tracy Pryce, RP. Tracy takes a client-centered approach that emphasizes empathy, compassion, and collaboration to help her clients build skills and strategies specific to their mental, emotional, and behavioural health needs. She applies EMDR in a safe and informative way that considers the unique experiences and readiness of each of her clients, incorporating a variety of modalities best suited to their needs.

EMDR can be used to treat a wide range of challenges, including:

Trauma and PTSD
Anxiety and Depression
Phobias
Substance use
Grief
Performance anxiety
Occupational stress injuries and pain
Childhood adversity
Developmental trauma
Chronic pain when there is an underlying adverse experience