EMDR Therapy Calgary
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987. It is used to process traumatic memories and alleviate the distress associated with them. It is proven to be an effective and rapid treatment for all forms of trauma including:
- Serious accidents
- Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse
- Complex childhood abuse
- Military combat
- Natural disasters
- Medical experiences
- Violence or death
Traumatic memories may also be linked to:
- Betrayals
- Bereavement
- Bullying
- Neglect or abandonment
- Personal humiliations and major disappointments
Who else may benefit from EMDR?
Numerous controlled studies have recognised EMDR as also being a highly effective approach in the treatment of other emotional disorders, including:
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Excessive grief reaction
- Depression
- Physical pain
- Performance anxiety
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987. It is used to process traumatic memories and alleviate the distress associated with them. It is proven to be an effective and rapid treatment for all forms of trauma including:
- Serious accidents
- Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse
- Complex childhood abuse
- Military combat
- Natural disasters
- Medical experiences
- Violence or death
Traumatic memories may also be linked to:
- Betrayals
- Bereavement
- Bullying
- Neglect or abandonment
- Personal humiliations and major disappointments
Who else may benefit from EMDR?
Numerous controlled studies have recognised EMDR as also being a highly effective approach in the treatment of other emotional disorders, including:
- Panic attacks
- Phobias
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Excessive grief reaction
- Depression
- Physical pain
- Performance anxiety
How long does EMDR Therapy in Calgary take?
Processing of a specific memory generally takes one to three sessions with a session typically lasting 60-90 minutes. Sessions can be delivered one to two times per week and can be carried out on consecutive days. The total number of sessions can vary however, and it usually ranges between 6-12 sessions.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR helps the brain to process trauma in an accelerated safe way using a standardised procedure along with bilateral stimulation (BLS) in the form of alternating eye movements or tapping. Research has shown bilateral stimulation to reduce the vividness of negative images and emotional distress associated with them. Following successful processing, the original traumatic experience becomes transformed into a new, adaptive, and less emotionally charged memory that feels firmly in the past and the person no longer re-experiences the images, sounds, smells, and intense emotions when they recall it. So, whilst EMDR does not remove any memories or help you to forget, what it can do for you is remove/reduce the fear and bodily sensations that were associated with them, enabling you to let go and reclaim your life.
What to expect in an EMDR Therapy session
Your EMDR therapist at Clear Minds in Calgary follows the procedural steps developed by Francine Shapiro and will guide you through the 8 phases of treatment. The initial phases focus on history-taking, preparation, and assessment of the memories you want help with.
This is followed by the desensitisation and reprocessing phase in which the client focuses on the negative images, thoughts, feelings, and body sensations attached to the traumatic memory whilst simultaneously engaging in eye movements or tapping. New thoughts and insights will emerge as your therapist guides you through the process until the memory is no longer distressing and positive beliefs replace the old, negative ones. The new positive cognition is then strengthened and any residual somatic distress in the body is processed.
After successfully reprocessing negative experiences, the old emotions or sensations are no longer in the present, giving you a sense of control, empowerment, and emotional well-being.
How long does EMDR Therapy in Calgary take?
Processing of a specific memory generally takes one to three sessions with a session typically lasting 60-90 minutes. Sessions can be delivered one to two times per week and can be carried out on consecutive days. The total number of sessions can vary however, and it usually ranges between 6-12 sessions.
If you are interested in learning more about EMDR in Calgary or would like to book an appointment for a free brief consultation, please contact me or call 403 389 8771.
