Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Analáigh Heals is a multi-specialty health care organization. We approach treatment holistically by considering four areas of the “self”. These four areas include the mind (cognitions or thoughts), the physical body, relational and spiritual selves. By treating the whole person we believe people will have better outcomes and be more satisfied with their counseling experience.
An Effective & Preferred Treatment for Trauma
EMDR therapy allows for natural healing to occur. It does not require that the person talk in detail about distressing experiences and does not include homework. Standard EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (BLS) meaning two directions. This can be done by moving the eyes back and forth, tapping back and forth or listening to a tone alternatively in each ear with specialized equipment. EMDR 2.0 is a version of EMDR that utilizes additional stimuli or tasks to process distressing events. The assumption behind EMDR and EMDR 2.0 is that by focusing on the distressing memory and applying BLS the brain naturally resumes its natural process of healing.
EMDR 2.0 utilizes what we understand about working memory and long-term memory to enhance the healing process. When we talk about a memory, we are able to do this because we use our working memory. Our working memory has a limited capacity. Our brain has much more capacity or storage space for long term memories.
Anxiety
Depression
Phobias
Addictions
Sleep Disturbances
Psychosis
Grief & Loss
Chronic Illness
You can compare long term memory and working memory to a computer. A computer can store a great deal of information and retrieve this information as needed (long term memory). The amount of memory that is available in a computer’s working memory is limited. If you open too many applications or programs the computer starts to slow down or it can lock up and crash. This is because you over taxed the computer’s working memory. When we administer EMDR 2.0 we use methods to over tax the working memory. This prevents the memory from being restored in the same way that it was originally stored, we call this reprocessing. Standard EMDR will do this too, however the task in standard EMDR is much simpler therefore the working memory is not taxed as heavily. By using EMDR 2.0 the distressing memory stays in the working memory for a briefer period of time due to efforts by the clinician to over tax the working memory.
EMDR has many applications. EMDR is recognized as an effective and often preferred treatment for trauma. Trauma can result from many sources such as domestic violence, work place violence or accidents, natural disasters. EMDR has also been used effectively to treat anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, chronic illness and medical issues, depression and bipolar disorders, grief and loss, pain, personality disorders, addictions, sleep disturbances and psychosis.
EMDR can be administered in person or remotely with video. EMDR is not administer without video because it is important for the clinician to be able to see how the person is responding to the treatment.
