EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

EMDR is well-researched and powerful way to work with our inner world, and our unconscious. We may ask ourselves, “Why do I always pick the same kind of partner over and over?”, “Why is it so hard for me to set boundaries?”, “Why do I always feel set off whenever anyone brings up that topic?” or any number of questions stemming from the confusion, pain and frustration that comes when we are being ruled by unconscious thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

The key component of EMDR is “bilateral stimulation” (once only done through eye movements, hence the name, but now done with various methods including tones, visual movement, tapping, etc.) This bilateral attention is thought to access the unconscious parts of our psyche, much like the processing we do when dreaming in REM sleep at night. As such, I prefer Laurel Parnell’s Attachment Focused EMDR, which is thought to be a gentler form of processing (vs. the “Standard EMDR Protocol”). It is also thought to be more effective in “going around” our thinking brains in order to access the more symbolic, metaphorical, somatic and image-focused nature of the unconscious.

EMDR is often able to “untangle” the painful emotions, self-beliefs and unskillful behaviors that come with challenging experiences. It also offers a deep way to work with our internal landscapes; finding resources, strength and connections to our “Self” that we may have previously thought impossible. I often use EMDR in conjunction with inner parts work and other Depth Psychological techniques.

I do EMDR using an online platform, and I have found that this works just as well, if not better in some cases, than doing in-session EMDR. It can often be a comfort for clients to be in a familiar and comfortable environment, sometimes with beloved pets nearby :), when working on difficult and challenging issues.