What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a form of therapy that helps people heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. EMDR has been extensively researched and has demonstrated effectiveness for trauma.

Therapists use EMDR with a wide range of challenges including anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, chronic illness and medical issues, depression and bipolar disorders, eating disorders, grief and loss, pain, PTSD and stress related issues, sexual assault, sleep disturbance, substance abuse and addiction, violence and abuse.

EMDR therapy is different from other therapies in that it does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue, or homework between sessions. EMDR, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. Part of the therapy includes alternating eye movements, sounds, or taps. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.

How can EMDR therapy help with the healing process?

Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, they may not be processed without help. Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distressing from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create feelings of overwhelm, of being back in that moment, or of being “frozen in time.” EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.

Experiencing EMDR therapy

After the therapist and client agree that EMDR therapy is a good fit, and begin to work together, the client will be asked to focus on a specific event. Attention will be given to a negative image, belief, and body feeling welded to this event, and then to a positive belief that would indicate the issue was resolved. While the client focuses on the upsetting event, the therapist will begin sets of side to side eye movements, sounds, or taps. The client will be guided to notice what comes to mind after each set. They may experience shifts in insight or changes in images, feelings, or beliefs regarding the event. The client has full control to stop the therapist at any point, if needed. The sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps are repeated until the event becomes less disturbing.

Adapted from emdria.org

How much does EMDR cost?

Both Jackie and Kari accept insurance through Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, UMR, and Cigna. They also accept private pay and can negotiate a rate upon contact

Please note:

Jackie is trained in EMDR and has completed the mandatory 10 hours of consultation. Jackie is currently working towards becoming an EMDR certified therapist. Jackie is also trained and experienced in using the DeTur Protocol for addictions/compulsive behaviors.

Kari has completed EMDRIA approved basic training and is currently working towards completing her 10 hours of consultation.