EMDR as a Mind/Body Therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is known as a trauma therapy, a therapy for PTSD. It is a powerful modality used to help people process stored emotions, feelings, and memories that are maladaptive. These stored memories may be the reason for a person’s anxiety, depression, feelings of worthlessness, panic, nightmares, flashbacks, phobias, and more.

Because the mind and body are connected, the body may also have symptoms related to unprocessed memories. Aches, pains, headaches and other somatic symptoms can be related to emotions that are stuck in the body. Just think how the body reacts if a person is in a constant state of trauma, in other words, fight, flight, or freeze.

During EMDR therapy, the client focuses on not only the thoughts and feelings but the sensations in the body. Often a person has memory gaps of the actual memories but can feel it in the body. Just focusing on the body sensations helps process the stored memories.

EMDR also uses imagery for emotion regulation. Imagine thinking of a place where you feel very calm and at peace. Imagine it with all of your senses. Notice how your body feels in response to the feeling of relaxation. As you practice this feeling of calm, your brain is creating new neural pathways to remind your body and mind to go into the relaxation response.

If you want to know more about how EMDR can help you, contact me for a free phone consultation.