EMDR

      EMDR is a specific therapeutic approach originally used for survivors of trauma.  Today it is used for trauma (large and small) as well as certain types of depression, anxiety, situational stress, and phobias.  This is one of the best researched therapeutic approaches.

      With respect to trauma, life is a traumatic process.  It starts traumatically – we a born, it was just fine where we were.  We learn to walk and we fall down and hit our head, we learn to ride a bicycle and we hit a tree.  Most of these things leave no lasting trauma, however as we age we tend to have things happen to us which are traumatic.  Trauma leaves unresolved emotions in our nervous system which are triggered by (generally) unrelated, but similar events.  These events may be as “simple” as dealing with the first death in our family, or as complicated as returning from a war front.

      EMDR’s approach has a number of distinct advantages over other trauma approaches.  First, the focus is relieving emotional stress disturbing the individual.  It does so in a significantly reduced number of sessions as compared with other approaches to trauma.  Second, it is minimally invasive – that is the client does not have to divulge significant details about the traumatic event, which reduces the likelihood of re-traumatizing the client.  EMDR will not erase the memory of the traumatic event, it does get rid of the emotional charge associated with it.  Third, it is a therapeutic approach in which the client’s brain does the healing and in which the client is in control.

      I have helped clients through the use of this approach for more than thirty years.  These clients have included multiple survivors of trawler sinkings; persons who were physically, sexually or emotionally assaulted; persons who have lost loved ones through accidents or terminal illnesses; survivors of fires, including the Station Nightclub fire; persons who have sustained major injuries, including loss of limbs; persons with certain types of depression, anxiety and phobias.

      EMDR and Mindfulness are often compatible and complementary treatments for many clients and I will often apply both to an individual’s therapy.

      For further information on EMDR, you may contact the EMDR Institute at www.EMDR.org