EMDR

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a treatment for trauma that uses knowledge from neuroscience to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories, stress patterns, negative beliefs, and cognitive distortions.

Sometimes memories can get “stuck” in the nervous system. The individual continues to react with high levels of anxiety, fear, distress, and maladaptive thought and behavioral patterns when the memory is triggered. Trauma related symptoms could include: anxiety, insomnia, flashbacks, intrusive recollections of the event, mistrust, irritability or rage, depression, detachment from loved ones, relationship and social issues, to name a few. 

“Big T” trauma can be singular events such as a car accident, assault, death of a loved one, etc. or multiple events over time. “Little t” trauma is something that many more people may experience over time. This could include bullying, neglect of emotional needs, etc . What occurs is a dysregulaton of the nervous system. 

EMDR helps remove those stuck memories and blocks and have little or no effective any longer in day to day life through a process called bilateral stimulation. EMDR is even effective for people not diagnosed with PTSD whom are still impacted by painful memories.

  • Some studies show that 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have post-traumatic stress disorder after only three sessions.

  • Another study, funded by the HMO Kaiser Permanente, found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims no longer were diagnosed with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) after only six sessions.

  • EMDR is now recognized as an effective form of treatment for trauma and other disturbing experiences by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization and the Department of Defense.

My Training

I have completed EMDR Levels I and II training as well as over 30 hours of individual/group consultations, continued education, and 10+ years of practice. 

I specialized in trauma treatment as I completed my Master’s of Clinical Social Work and continue to focus on trainings and education of trauma-related, holistic approaches to healing.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me and set up a time for a phone consultation. 732-630-9642 or sara@heartmindwellnesscenter.com.