Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence based therapy widely used in the treatment of trauma and PTSD.  Extensive research is currently being conducted showing positive results in treating depression, anxiety, OCD, panic disorder, and many other disorders.  

​I use EMDR therapy with a wide variety of my clients and the results are real and exciting.  These are often times people who have tried unsuccessfully for years to manage their symptoms.  With EMDR therapy they are able to find peace and move forward in their lives, often for the first time.  This is how powerful EMDR can be!

Please contact me to set up your initial phone consultation to learn more about EMDR and how it can help you or your teen feel better.  

What is EMDR anyway? 
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​EMDR is an extensively researched form of psychotherapy created by psychologist Francine Shapiro in 1987.  After walking through the woods and thinking about a traumatic event, Shapiro realized that she felt better. She linked her relief to her eye movements darting between the trees during her walk. Now, there is a multitude of research to back up Shapiro’s theory of EMDR and it is used successfully to treat a wide variety of psychological stressors (Emdria.org, 2012).

​Watch this video to learn more:
"Healing Trauma" Public Awareness Film for EMDR Therapy


"Something changed the first time I had EMDR and if I could put one word to it ... it would be hope."
See Francine Shapiro, EMDR founder, discuss using EMDR to access and reprocess traumatic memories in this interview. 
How does emdr work?
No one knows how any form of psychotherapy works neurobiologically or in the brain. However, we do know that when a person is very upset, 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 images, sounds, smells, and feelings haven’t changed. Such memories have a lasting 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 direct effect on the way that the brain processes information. Normal information processing is resumed, so following a successful EMDR session, a person no longer relives the images, sounds, and feelings when the event is brought to mind. You still remember what happened, but it is less upsetting. Many types of therapy have similar goals. However, EMDR appears to be similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Therefore, EMDR can be thought of as a physiologically based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new and less distressing way.
WHAT KIND OF PROBLEMS CAN EMDR THERAPY TREAT?​
Scientific research has established EMDR as effective for post traumatic stress.  However, clinicians also have reported success using EMDR in treatment of the following conditions:
  • Panic attacks
  • Complicated grief
  • Dissociative disorders
  • Disturbing memories
  • Phobias
  • Pain disorders
  • Performance anxiety
  • Stress reduction
  • Sexual and/or Physical abuse
  • Body dysmorphic disorders
  • Personality Disorders
​What EMDR clients are saying...
I was a member of the Canadian Army for over 20 years. I suffered from OSI (operational stress injury), depression, and the loss of my daughter and wife killed by a drunk driver. For over a year of treatment and work on my part I have finally found some peace of mind, My anger and depression had lowered to a managable level. Today, I see the light at the end of the tunnel.... I know that this treatment EMDR is by far the best I ever recieved in the mental health field, and the great thing is no meds.
Thank you, G.C.

This is just a note to let you know about how EMDR has changed my little girl. We started therapy in November 2005, and we have had 8 sessions so far. She is 6 years old and has had severe symptoms of PTSD from being abused. Although regular therapy had been a little successful, her progress was slow and ardous. Now, through EMDR my daughter seems happier, and her "fits" (aggressive rages) have been sigificantly reduced. Even though we are still in EMDR therapy, I could not wait to tell you how much we think this therapy has helped our precious daughter. Nothing we have tried was this successful.
Warmest Regards,
R. A. Colorado

A few years ago I underwent EMDR. I was skeptical, of course. At this point in time, however, I see that it saved my marriage, my sanity and my relationship with my children. I was suffering from PTSD after experiencing much loss and never even realized that's what stood in the way of a healthy life. It's a wonderful treatment and more people should be informed about it. I was lucky to run across it by accident.
Thank you,
J.M.
Does EMDR really work?
​Approximately 20 controlled studies have investigated the effects of EMDR. These studies have consistently found that EMDR effectively decreases/eliminates the symptoms of post traumatic stress for the majority of clients. Clients often report improvement in other associated symptoms such as anxiety. 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 was also found effective by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, the United Kingdom Department of Health, the Israeli National Council for Mental Health, and many other international health and governmental agencies. Research has also shown that EMDR can be an efficient and rapid treatment.
More information and recent research studies about EMDR can be found at The Francine Shapiro Library.