EMDR

I am excited to get trained in EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing - which was developed by Francine Shapiro.  Dr. Shapiro discovered during a walk in the park in 1987 that involuntary eye movements reduced the intensity of negative, disturbing thoughts.  EMDR is used to treat experientially based disorders and emotional difficiulties that are caused by disturbing life experiences, ranging from traumatic events such as combat stress, assaults, and natural disasters, to upsetting childhood events.  Specifically, EMDR aims to facilitate resolution of memories of earlier life experiences, desensitize stimuli that trigger present distress, and incorporate adaptive attitudes, skills, and behaviors.

I'm excited to be learning this techniques because I think that so many of my clients can benefit from it.  So many people have experienced trauma in their lives, and continue to suffer from the experience(s) for reasons they cannot always explain or understand.  EMDR can also help expedite the counseling process, making the time spent between counselor and clients more purposeful and productive, with better outcomes.