Frequently asked questions
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) is a type of psychotherapy that works to help individuals decrease stress related to trauma or upsetting life experiences. EMDR can also be used to increase positive resources including building confidence, and increasing positive concept of self.
What can EMDR help with?
EMDR is an integrative psychotherapy approach widely researched and proven to be effective for various issues such as panic disorders, sexual and physical abuse, performance anxiety, disturbing memories, phobias, pain disorders, stress reduction, addictions and much more. Maura has experienced its success in reducing PTSD symptoms in formerly treatment-resistant clients, overcoming addictive triggers, healing traumas caused by disturbing life experiences, increasing emotional resilience and confidence, building healthy relationships, and helping clients resume productive lives.
What can I expect from an EMDR session?
When you first come in for EMDR therapy we will work to establish the goals for your treatment. Do you wish to get rid of panic attacks? No longer experience PTSD symptoms? Feel less depressed? Whatever your goals are for treatment we will tailor the therapeutic plan to best fit your strengths and have a clear plan of action to meet your objectives. EMDR is an eight phase treatment.
Phase One: You will work with your therapist so they can learn about your background and formative life experiences including strengths and upsetting memories or trauma that will be reprocessed using EMDR.
Phase Two: This stage is designed to increase internal resources and coping skills so that you feel ready and prepared to start reprocessing.
Phase Three: The issues or memories that you will want to address will be set up for reprocessing this includes identifying negative beliefs about self, emotions, images, and body sensations all related to the memory or target.
Phase Four: The target will be reprocessed using light movement, tones, or tapping until there is no longer any disturbance associated with it.
Phase Five: Installing the positive belief about self and adaptive perspective of the targeted memory
Phase Six: Checking in with somatic experience to make sure there is no residual disturbance related to the memory being held in the body
Phase Seven: Closure of the targeted memory and thx support in integrating new perspective into everyday life
Phase Eight: Re-assessing past EMDR work to make sure progress is sustained or if further work needs to be done