EMDR is a counseling approach that is used to treat the symptoms of trauma, depression, anxiety, motivation, grief, pain management, phobias and more. It is not a typical 'talk therapy' as it focuses on reducing how upsetting a specific memory, thought or emotion can be when it is experienced. EMDR does this by having you think about a distressing moment and simultaneously activating your brain in the same way it is activated during REM sleep through the use of guided eye movements or physical tapping sensations. Following treatment with EMDR, people often comment that the amount of distress reduces, vivid images are harder to recall and that their brain doesn't become hyperfocused on recalling all aspects of the memory. Sometimes people will also share that they have new insight that further aid in reducing the discomfort associated with the memory. 

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Research has found that EMDR reduces the activation of the amygdala, allow the hippocampus to better distinguish between past and present distress, assist the prefrontal cortex in being able to incorporate more reason and logic with the experienced emotions, and assist in reducing the insula's activity related to body sensations and awareness of these sensations. 

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But what does all of that mean?

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For example, if you experienced an event, such as a natural disaster like a tornado hitting your home during the night, you may notice that following it that you have difficulty sleeping, constantly checking the weather, unable to relax when it is hot and humid with a gray green color in the sky, feel restless and get easily annoyed anytime sometime interrupts you or tries to engage you while you are checking the weather. Following EMDR you may notice that you are able to feel more relaxed in general, you may still be cautious when certain weather conditions occur, you may still check the weather once or twice and you are better able to sleep at night. 

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If you are experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, phobias, pain, grief or other concerns and would like to see about engaging in EMDR, please reach out to schedule an appointment. 

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