What is emdr and is it right for you?
EMDR (or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a form of therapy primarily used to treat trauma. We use eye movements and tapping, to guide your brain to store memories in a more adaptive way. In addition, I use this therapy for low self-esteem and troubling thoughts and feelings.
WHEN THE PAST IS PRESENT
If you think about a painful event in your life–for example, when your closest friend suddenly decided she hated you in the 6th grade–and turned the whole class against you; you probably had a hard time processing that at the time. You were young and not equipped to deal with the betrayal, social rejection, on top of everything else that was happening at home. Even worse, you had no support from your parents. They were occupied with their own marriage, their own problems. After it happened you tried to talk to your parents but they didn’t seem to get it, and they gave you some throw away advice–like, “don’t let it get to you, none of this will matter in ten years.”
Turns out your parents were wrong. You still think about it, and you also notice yourself not trusting people easily. Back then, you decided something must be wrong with you AND you definitely believe no one has your back. You’ve been walking around with these damaging beliefs ever since, and they have impacted your life. What this therapy does is allow you to make peace with your past, so that you can live more fully, and have the life that you want.
Your brain now understands that this event had nothing to do with you, and everything to do with your friend and what was happening with her parents divorce.
MOVING FORWARD
The beliefs, and ideas stored around a memory can often be negative and harmful to your life. EMDR helps you let go of old stuff which has kept you repeating patterns that you do not enjoy, and do not work for you.
I use EMDR in therapy for many life issues, including recent triggering events, early life traumas, and for when there is anything blocking you from moving forward. It works by creating new pathways in your brain. This is for you if you feel stuck and want to let go of events from the past.