Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma therapy developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro. Dr. Shapiro made the chance observation that eye movements can reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts. While she walked through a park one day, she noted her own stress reactions diminished as her eyes swept back and forth.

At Well & Being for Women, Dr. Lisa Petrongelli, an EMDRIA and Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, offers EMDR Therapy to women client's once it has been determined a women is ready for the process and experience. There are many types of trauma leading to why clients seek EMDR Therapy. EMDR Therapy is not a one size fits all process and varies client by client depending on history and goals. Some may come seeking support for anxiety, depression and a range of other symptoms while others it is in a response to life changing events both expected and unexpected. Regardless of the circumstances, EMDR Therapy offers pursue personal exploration, growth and healing.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy is a form of Trauma-focused therapy. The therapeutic approach involves recalling a stressful past event and “reprogramming” the memory in the light of a new, positive belief, using rapid eye movements to facilitate the process.
EMDR incorporates elements of CBT, with bilateral eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation. One of the key elements of EMDR is dual stimulation. During EMDR treatment, women are guided to recall to think or talk about memories, triggers, and painful emotions related to your trauma or other condition. At the same time, a women focuses on a therapist’s finger with their eyes as it moves back and forth across the field of vision. At Well & Being for Women we offer other forms of external stimuli that are also used in EMDR therapy. These include tactile sensations, such as alternating hand taps, or sounds, such as a chime that moves back and forth from ear to ear.
Recalling traumatic events may feel as though a women is reliving the event all over again because the images, smells, sounds, and feelings are still so close to the surface, they can easily be triggered in the present.
When triggered, these memories can interfere with daily functioning, change the way a client sees themselves and the world around them, and impact how they relate to others. EMDR therapy appears to work by directly affecting the brain and “unfreezing” the traumatic memories, allowing a client to resolve them.
Over time, women gain the ability to work through the disturbing memories and associated feelings, until a client is able to think about the event without reliving it. The memory is still there, but it is less upsetting.
Using rapid eye movements relieves the anxiety associated with the trauma so that the original event can be viewed from a more detached perspective, like watching a movie of what happened. This enables women to access positive ways of reframing the original trauma (reprocessing), and to release the body’s stored negative emotional charges around it (desensitization).

WATCH VIDEO HERE - EMDR THERAPY

EMDR helps "defrost" frozen memories, providing healing to the core of the painful memories.

EMDR Readiness Checklist

I have a trusting relationship with my therapist.
I am willing to tell my therapist the truth about what I am experiencing.
I am committed/dedicated to both my own safety and treatment.
I have skills to handle high levels of emotion.
I did the resourcing development and installation.
I have resources to calm and comfort myself.
I have a support system that includes, but is not limited to, my therapist.
I am not taking medications in the Benzodiazepine class.
Either my medication is effective, or I am stable without medication.
My health and safety are not in jeopardy from substance use/abuse.
I am not in active addiction.
Self-harming behaviors are not my primary method of coping with my feelings or relationship troubles. If this was an issue for me, I have adequately addressed it in therapy.
I do not feel suicidal.
I have not been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder.
I have been given the screening, Dissociative Experience Scale II (DES II) for dissociative disorder and I have discussed the results with my therapist.
I am not involved in an active legal case OR if I am involved in a legal case, I understand that by reprocessing the material in question, my legal testimony may be impaired.
I do not have a history of a seizure disorder.

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing

EMDR THERAPY appointments are scheduled only as follow-up PSYCHOTHERAPY appointments.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR helps "defrost" frozen memories, providing healing to the core of the painful memories.

EMDR helps "defrost" frozen memories, providing healing to the core of the painful memories.

EMDR helps "defrost" frozen memories, providing healing to the core of the painful memories.

EMDR helps "defrost" frozen memories, providing healing to the core of the painful memories.

EMDR helps "defrost" frozen memories, providing healing to the core of the painful memories.

EMDR helps "defrost" frozen memories, providing healing to the core of the painful memories.

Stages of the EMDR Process

EMDR Readiness Checklist

EMDRIA Certified Therapist

EMDR Sessions

CREDITENTALS & AFFILIATES

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing

EMDR THERAPY appointments are scheduled only as follow-up PSYCHOTHERAPY appointments.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR helps "defrost" frozen memories, providing healing to the core of the painful memories.

Stages of the EMDR Process

EMDR Readiness Checklist

EMDRIA Certified Therapist

EMDR Sessions

CREDITENTALS & AFFILIATES

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