EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy created by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980’s and has been a primary method of treatment for veterans and first responders who are experiencing PTSD symptoms in response to trauma for many years. What we are learning is that this treatment is powerful for many different symptoms of trauma.  This trauma treatment enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of overwhelming life experiences. Therefore, abuse and neglect, anxiety, eating disorders, dissociation, substance abuse, and emotional dysregulation (to name a few) can all be treated with EMDR.

Unlike other psychotherapies, it is not necessary to deeply disclose the events of the distressing events or memories.  The brain’s desire for balance does the work for the individual, so this is a treatment where you are not talking about the events in detail but through dual attention stimulation (right brain, left brain exercises), the brain and the body start to heal.  Please know that Clarity is offering EMDR treatment at the Gainesville and Reston locations and can also offer virtual EMDR for those who prefer doing this important work in the safety of their home.  If you would like to learn more or make an appointment with our EMDR therapist, Kaitlin Westerman, LCSW, please feel free to contact us.