Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic technique originally used to treat trauma memories.  It is also used to treat grief, anxiety, and a variety of other issues.  Used in conjunction with ongoing psychotherapy, it can help resolve or remove issues that may be blocking or hindering treatment progress. Traumatic memory is not processed in the same way as normal memory.  Instead of entering long or short term memory banks in the brain, traumatic material is sort of "flash-frozen" in its original form.  Images, emotions, and sensory impressions are all captured in vivid detail, so that any event resembling the trauma can cause the original trauma memory to emerge with intensity.  When it does so, it can feel as if the traumatic event is happening all over again. EMDR helps to "thaw" the traumatic memory and move it into normal memory banks, so that it no longer holds such intensity and emotional power.  EMDR works by stimulating both sides of the brain, using signals that alternate from right to left.  These signals can be auditory (tones) that alternate between right and left ears; light tapping with right and left  hands; and eye movement from right to left. E.M.D.R. therapy is recommended as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in the practice guidelines of a wide range of organizations, like the American Psychiatric Association (in 2004), the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense (in 2010), the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (in 2009), and other organizations worldwide, including in Britain, France, the Netherlands and Israel. The effectiveness of E.M.D.R. therapy has been well established as the result of about 20 randomized controlled studies. EMDR treatment usually involves one or two 90 minute sessions, followed by one or more 60 minute sessions to completely resolve the memories.  These sessions typically occur once or twice per week.  Dr. Evelo is available to provide EMDR to clients in collaboration with their individual therapists. If you have questions about EMDR, please contact Dr. Evelo using the "Ask Dr. Evelo" page of this website.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic technique originally used to treat trauma memories.  It is also used to treat grief, anxiety, and a variety of other issues.  Used in conjunction with ongoing psychotherapy, it can help resolve or remove issues that may be blocking or hindering treatment progress.

Traumatic memory is not processed in the same way as normal memory.  Instead of entering long or short term memory banks in the brain, traumatic material is sort of “flash-frozen” in its original form.  Images, emotions, and sensory impressions are all captured in vivid detail, so that any event resembling the trauma can cause the original trauma memory to emerge with intensity.  When it does so, it can feel as if the traumatic event is happening all over again.

EMDR helps to “thaw” the traumatic memory and move it into normal memory banks, so that it no longer holds such intensity and emotional power.  EMDR works by stimulating both sides of the brain, using signals that alternate from right to left.  These signals can be auditory (tones) that alternate between right and left ears; light tapping with right and left  hands; and eye movement from right to left.

E.M.D.R. therapy is recommended as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in the practice guidelines of a wide range of organizations, like the American Psychiatric Association (in 2004), the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense (in 2010), the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (in 2009), and other organizations worldwide, including in Britain, France, the Netherlands and Israel. The effectiveness of E.M.D.R. therapy has been well established as the result of about 20 randomized controlled studies.

EMDR treatment usually involves one or two 90 minute sessions, followed by one or more 60 minute sessions to completely resolve the memories.  These sessions typically occur once or twice per week.  Dr. Evelo is available to provide EMDR to clients in collaboration with their individual therapists.

If you have questions about EMDR, please contact Dr. Evelo using the “Ask Dr. Evelo” page of this website.