Dr. Olga Vera Therapy and Wellness

    Trauma Therapy - EMDR

    EMDR is the most effective and rapid method for healing trauma and PTSD

    If you are facing any of the challenges above or are feeling “stuck” on your healing journey, EMDR is an effective treatment that can transform your recovery.
    Woman undergoing EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy.

    Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

    People who have experienced trauma or have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often feel hopeless and helpless as they face what seems like a long, exhausting treatment plan. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way. By including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) into their treatment plan, my clients often experience rapid healing and transformation.

     

    Research shows EMDR can effectively treat:

    • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
    • Sexual, Physical and Emotional Abuse or Assault
    • Medical Trauma
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Performance Enhancement (Test Taking, Public Speaking, Sports)
    • Grief
    • Childhood Trauma
    • Phobias and Panic
    • Spiritual Crisis
    • Relationships
    • Other Conditions
    If you are facing any of the challenges above or are feeling “stuck” on your healing journey, EMDR is an effective treatment that can transform your recovery. Keep reading to learn more about what EMDR is, how it works, treatment duration, what to expect in an EMDR session, and more. Or book a consultation here.

    Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was discovered in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro.

    EMDR is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma, allowing people to heal efficiently from emotional wounds, blocks, and limitations.

    EMDR is a remarkable treatment method. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation of either left or right eye movement, sound, or tactile stimulation, which repeatedly activates the opposite sides of the brain. This helps the Neuro-Physiological System, which is the basis of the mind-body connection, free itself of blockages.

    EMDR was given the highest level of recommendation in the treatment of trauma by the American Psychiatric Association (2004). The current treatment guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies designate EMDR as an effective treatment for post traumatic stress.

    EMDR has also been approved as an effective treatment for PTSD by the respected American Psychological Association, The Department of Defense, and the Veterans Administration.

    Research has shown that hundreds of therapists across the USA have used EMDR with successful results in patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, panic attacks, and other conditions.

    For further references, a bibliography of research may be found through EMDR International Association’s website: www.emdria.org.

    When a person is emotionally and cognitively overwhelmed, their brain cannot process information as it does ordinarily. One moment becomes “frozen in time,” and remembering a trauma may feel as bad as going through it the first time because the associated sensations (images, sounds, smells, and feelings) have not changed.

    Such feelings have a negative effect that interferes with the way a person sees the world and the way they relate to other people. EMDR seems to have a potent effect on the way the brain processes information. It can help the brain resume normal information processing such that after a successful EMDR session, a person no longer relives the images, sounds and feelings when the memory is recalled. They still remember what happened but find the memory less upsetting and triggering.

    During EMDR, the client and I work together to choose a specific problem as the focus of the treatment session. The client recalls the disturbing issue or event and related sensations and notes what thoughts and beliefs are currently held about that event. I facilitate the directional movement of the eyes or other dual attention stimulation of the brain, while the client just notices whatever comes to mind without working to control the direction or content. Each person will respond to the process uniquely based on individual experiences and values. We continue sets of eye movements as long as it takes until the memory becomes less disturbing and is associated with positive thoughts and beliefs about oneself; for example, “I was doing my best with what I had then.” During EMDR, the client may experience intense emotions, however most people report a great reduction in their level of disturbance after an EMDR session. In short, they quickly feel better about a memory that previously caused them great distress.
    I will recommend one or more sessions to understand the nature of the problem and decide whether EMDR is an appropriate treatment. We will thoroughly discuss EMDR and I will provide an opportunity to answer your questions about the method. Once we have agreed that EMDR is appropriate for a specific problem, the actual EMDR therapy may begin. A typical EMDR session lasts from 60 to 90 minutes. The type of problem, life circumstances and the amount of previous trauma will determine how many treatment sessions are necessary. EMDR may be used within a standard “talk” therapy, may be used in addition to therapy with a separate therapist, or as a treatment by itself.
    The current treatment guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies denote EMDR as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress. EMDR was also found effective by the U.S. Department of Defense, the United Kingdom Department of Health and the Israeli National Council for Mental Health, and many other international health and governmental agencies. The World Health Organization has sanctioned EMDR as one of the only psychotherapies recommended for children, adolescents, and adults with PTSD. Studies have consistently found that EMDR effectively decreases/eliminates the symptoms of PTSD for most clients. Clients often report improvement in other associated symptoms such as anxiety and depression.
    • Relief of PTSD symptoms is achieved through the processing of disturbing past events, as well as the emotions, body sensations, images, and negative beliefs associated with them.
    • The EMDR technique involves a combination of free association and some form of bilateral stimulation, which seeks to unlock the mind’s own capacity to heal.
    • EMDR therapy facilitates a process in which the mind/brain can access helpful content that successfully integrates trauma.
    • EMDR helps people to tap into their inner resources and resilience.
    • EMDR therapy can enable clients to process content without having to talk about the details of the event.

    EMDR Trauma Therapy at OM Vera

    I have nearly 20 years of EMDR experience. Due to my expertise, the majority of my clients are referred to me for this treatment. I even treat other EMDR therapists. Many of my referrals are EMDR therapists seeking to experience and understand EMDR Therapy as clients. I also consult with therapists to become EMDR-certified therapists and consultants. I have found EMDR to be highly effective in the course of helping my clients heal from lasting emotional reactions to trauma. If you have experienced acute, chronic, or multiple traumas or if you feel debilitated by past events or fear, book a consultation with me to discuss how EMDR may help facilitate your healing. If I find EMDR is the right fit for you, massive positive momentum and breakthroughs may be in your future. Or book a consultation here.