What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that utilizes the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, a model used to explain the pathology of trauma.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR therapy is an eight-phase integrative psychotherapy method that uses bilateral stimulation to repeatedly activate opposite sides of the brain to reprocess distressing events/memories. When the brain is bilaterally stimulated through eye movement, sound, or physical sensation, the brain can reprocess.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess distressing experiences/memories in such a way that normal information processing is resumed. EMDR helps clients to uncover and process beliefs that developed as the result of life stressors, relational traumas, or childhood abuse and/or neglect.
What does EMDR help?
Though initially created to treat posttraumatic stress symptoms in veterans, EMDR research demonstrates that it is an effective modality to use for many symptoms. It is not an effective form of treatment for psychosis or other cognitive impairments.
How long does EMDR work?
You will collaborate with your counselor to treatment plan and set goals and every timeline is different. However, EMDR efficiently allows for symptom reduction compared to traditional "talk therapy" because EMDR addresses the parts of the brain that "hold" traumatic memory.
Is EMDR covered by my insurance?
Yes, most insurance plans cover this treatment. The best way to guarantee is to call you insurance company and ask. To date, we have not encountered any insurance company that denies this service.