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EMDR Information

 

What is EMDR?

EMDR Therapy is a powerful psychotherapy that can help make a difference in your clients’ lives.  It is an evidenced-based therapy that is recognized worldwide.  Since there are numerous research studies completed to prove its effectiveness, EMDR Therapy is used to treat clients with a variety of issues.  By becoming trained in EMDR Therapy, it will provide an entire new skill set and strengthen your therapeutic skills and expand your clinical knowledge.   

How does EMDR work?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy utilizes several psychological approaches that provide rapid relief from PTSD and many other psychological disorders. It is a powerful psychotherapy that, to date, has helped an estimated two million people of all ages.  When a client is experiencing disturbance, their brain cannot process information as it ordinarily does.  Remembering a trauma may feel as bad as going through it the first time.  In fact, the images, sounds, smells and feelings haven’t changed.  These memories have an on-going, negative effect on how a person functions. 
 
During EMDR Therapy the client focuses on emotionally disturbing material in brief sequential doses while simultaneously focusing on an external stimulus. The therapist directs lateral eye movements, which are the most commonly used external stimulus.  Francine Shapiro, the originator of EMDR, believed that EMDR facilitates the accessing of the traumatic memory network so that information processing enhances with new associations between the traumatic memory and more adaptive information. These new associations are thought to result in complete information processing, new learning, eliminating emotional distress and the development of cognitive insights and beliefs.
 

The Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model explains that EMDR Therapy facilitates the accessing and processing of traumatic memories to bring these to an adaptive resolution.  Thus, EMDR Therapy has a direct effect on the way the brain processes information.  Following a successful EMDR session, normal information processing is resumed; and a client no longer relives the images, sounds and feelings when the memory is brought to mind.  The client still remembers the event, but it is less disturbing. 

During EMDR Therapy the client focuses on emotionally disturbing material in brief sequential doses while simultaneously focusing on an external stimulus.  The therapist directs lateral eye movements, which are the most commonly used external stimulus.  Francine Shapiro believed that EMDR facilitates the accessing of the traumatic memory network so that information processing enhances with new associations between the traumatic memory and more adaptive information.  These new associations are thought to result in complete information processing, new learning, eliminating emotional distress and the development of cognitive insights and beliefs.       

 
The History of EMDR 

EMDR Therapy was discovered and invented by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987.  She made the chance observation the eye movements can reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts.  Dr. Shapiro studied this observation scientifically; and in a 1989 Journal of Traumatic Stress, she reported success using EMDR Therapy to treat victims of trauma.  Since then, EMDR Therapy has developed through therapists and researchers all over the world.  

 
How can I Benefit from Being Trained in EMDR Therapy? 

Becoming an EMDR therapist provides you with an entire new skillset to bring healing to many clients.  Since EMDR Therapy includes principles, procedures and protocols, it requires a strong therapeutic background and specific training in EMDR Therapy.  EMDR is based on research, theory and science that allows a client to experience life in a new way.  By becoming trained in EMDR Therapy, you will be able to make a difference in your client’s lives. 

 

More about Basic EMDR Training

The training provided is an EMDRIA Approved Training.  It is an intensive training that involves two parts, Part 1 & Part 2.  Each part requires three days of training or a total of six days.  After Part 1, the goal is for each attendee to begin to integrate EMDR Therapy with their clients.  EMDR Therapy Basic Training covers not only learning the theory and science of EMDR Therapy, but practicing it as a “client and therapist” in supervised practicums in both Part 1 and 2.  These supervised practicums are overseen by facilitators or coaches.  Our goal is for the participants to build their clinical skills in providing EMDR Therapy with their clients with understanding and solid training.  Attendees will learn via lecture, videos, demonstrations, small group exercises, supervised practice sessions and Q & A sessions. 

 

In addition, since EMDRIA requires 10 hours of group consultation, these groups are provided after the training.  They are provided virtually, and it is an opportunity to discuss any questions participants may have regarding EMDR Therapy and specifically applying EMDR Therapy with your clients or case consultation.