EMDR has been used with a wide variety of emotional and psychological problems including PTSD, anxiety, phobias, depression, attachment disorders, etc. I have had years of success helping clients work through traumatic and/or disturbing events which regular talk therapy has not been able to resolve.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy treatment developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro to help people heal from trauma. EMDR is based on the concept of an Adaptive Information Processing model (AIP). The AIP model hypothesizes that there is an inherent information processing system in the brain that gets blocked when traumatic events occur, causing these events to get locked in the brain with the original picture, sounds, thoughts, feelings and body sensations. Whenever a reminder of the traumatic event comes up, those pictures, thoughts, feelings, and sensations can be triggered.
It is believed that many emotional problems and disorders are manifestations of these unprocessed traumatic memories that are stored in the brain. EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess these traumatic memories, there by alleviating the emotional and psychological stress. The effectiveness of EMDR is supported by numerous controlled studies and is the most researched psychotherapeutic treatment for PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
"Thank you, Sheryl, for introducing me to EMDR. As you know, following my mother's death I was haunted by the sensory aspects of being one of her caregivers. I did not want the smells, sights, and sounds of her final weeks to be how I remembered her. What an amazing thing to have these painful memories resolved released within several EMDR sessions. It still seems like a miracle to me. I am truly grateful!"
K.B.
"A lot can happen in three months! I certainly hope this finds you well. You are with me often throughout my days as it is primarily because of you that I am where I am and that I recognize, learn, and grow as I go............I am definitely stronger and clearer with each passing day and so many wonderful things have availed themselves to me. It truly is a blessing and very incredible to be a part of...a part of my very own wonderful life. Because of you I am in a support group for women who have suffered through abusive relationships. I have had A LOT of "AHA" moments for sure. It is a wonderful thing to be a part of and I believe once the 10 week program is over I will be much stronger because of it all. So thank you thank you thank you
thank you for saving my life"
S.C.
For more information on EMDR, visit EMDR Institute, EMDR International Association or EMDR-Humanitarian Assistance Programs.