EMDR Therapy in Portland, Oregon

Why this resource is helpful:

"MDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a highly effective and well-researched therapy approach used to address the painful effects of trauma and a variety of other psychological issues.

"EMDR is the most revolutionary, important method to emerge in psychotherapy in decades."
- Herbert Fensterheim, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Part of what makes EMDR such a valuable therapy approach is its effectiveness at processing information, especially traumatic material.

When a disturbing or traumatic event occurs, the brain is often unable to process the experience as it normally would. Instead, the traumatic event can get stuck in the brain in the form that it was originally experienced. Current symptoms (e.g., anxiety, panic, low self-esteem, sadness, and fear) are often manifestations of unprocessed traumatic experiences. EMDR utilizes bilateral stimulation - either through eye movements or other forms of gentle, rhythmic stimulation - which activates both sides of the brain, to process past trauma.

"The speed at which change occurs during EMDR contradicts the traditional notion of time as essential for psychological healing."
- Bessel A. van der Kolk, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine
EMDR uses a comprehensive 8 phase treatment model that is effective at preparing a person for trauma work, as well as identifying and accessing traumatic memories that are at the root of one"s symptoms. When a relevant traumatic memory is identified, bilateral stimulation is used to activate the brain"s inherent information processing system to facilitate the "digestion" of unresolved trauma and promote healing. As information processes, it"s common for new learning to take place, cognitive insights to emerge, emotional distress to resolve, and healthy behavior changes to occur. Once past trauma is resolved, the focus of EMDR shifts to processing present disturbing situations and triggers. Next, skills that are necessary to meet future goals are developed.

"We believe that EMDR induces a fundamental change in brain circuitry similar to what happens in REM sleep that allows the person undergoing treatment to more effectively process and incorporate traumatic memories into general association networks in the brain. This helps the individual integrate and understand the memories within the larger context of his or her life experience."
- Robert Stickgold, Ph.D.
Harvard Medical School
When the phrase "trauma" is used, it often brings to mind major events, such as a car accident, physical or sexual abuse, a violent attack, or a natural disaster. EMDR is very effective with these types of major traumas. Interestingly though, EMDR is also effective with more common events that have an enduring negative impact. For example, childhood humiliation or shaming; rejection or abandonment by a parent; family conflict; verbal or emotional abuse; or peer or school trauma."

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