Jackie Dotson, LCSW, Sacramento Therapist

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a powerful method of therapy that helps relieve the pain and anxiety associated with past traumas and problems.


During an EMDR session, I work with you to identify a specific problem or incident to focus on during that session. You will then be asked to call to mind this problem or incident, what was seen, felt, heard, and thought as well as what thoughts and beliefs you currently have about the event. I will then have you either move your eyes back and forth or alternate tapping on your hands or legs while you focus on this upsetting material, which will play sort of like a movie before your eyes. You wil simply notice whatever comes to mind without making any effort to control the direction or content, much like watching the scenery go by while riding on a train or a bus. We will continue these sets until thte memory becomes less disturbing and becomes associated with positive thoughts and beliefs.

During EMDR you may experience intense emotions, but as the processing completes, most people report a great reduction in their anxiety, fear and emotions when thinking about the problem or incident.


Although no one knows for sure how any type of therapy actually influences brain processes, it is believed that when a person is very upset, the brain does not process information in it's usual manner. Instead of processing completely, memories seem to get "stuck" in the present tense. As a result, the memory seems frozen in time and when it is brought up, the memory feels as real and as bad as going through it the first time. Additionally, because the memory is stuck, the images, sounds and smells associated with it are very strong. EMDR seems to have a direct effect on how the brain processes information and in a session the EMDR is used to "reprocess" these past painful memories so that they are not so vivid and upsetting. After an EMDR session, you will not forget what happened to you. However, the event will seem much less intense, your emotions will not be as strong and it will not feel as if you are reliving it over and over.


If you are interested in EMDR, I would require one or more sessions to assess the nature of your problem along with your current functioning and decide whether EMDR would be the right treatment for you. A typical EMDR session last from 50 - 90 minutes.


EMDR processing is very efficient. Many people with "single event" traumas, such as a car accident, can find relief very quickly, in 1-3 sessions for example. However, the type of problem, your life circumstances, as well as the amount of previous trauma all factor in determining how many sessions are necessary. Generally, the greater, more frequent or more longstanding the trauma, the longer the treatment. Everyone's situation is different.


EMDR is highly effective for anxiety disorders, and is a treatment of choice for post-traumatic stress disorder. It is also used to treat: panic attacks, phobias, performance anxiety, complicated grief, pain disorders, stress reduction and more.

How can I learn more about EMDR?

http://www.emdr.com
http://www.emdria.org
http://www.emdr-europe.org/