Understanding EMDR Therapy

What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing therapy helps individuals deal with traumatic experiences or intense emotional issues. The basic idea is to use eye movements (or other bilateral stimulation) to help your brain process and reprocess tough memories. It allows your brain to utilize it's natural healing process to heal the difficult memories and emotions, and ultimately reduce their impact on your present life.

EMDR was initially used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and now is used to treat other issues such as anxiety, depression, grief, low self-esteem and even helps with performance improvement (academics, athletics, career). By identifying and reprocessing any negative beliefs, self-doubt, or past failures that may be holding someone back, EMDR bay help them overcome those barriers to unlock full potential.

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How is EMDR therapy different from other therapies?

EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework between sessions.
EMDR is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories and allows the brain to resume its natural healing process and for many, can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.

How many sessions do I need and what is the cost?

The $150 service fee is the same for EMDR therapy and is covered by Aetna insurance.
Sessions are the same 55 minute length of time unless we decide on an extended session.
The number of session varies from person to person and depending on the complexity of the issue and the impact on a person's functioning. Overall, EMDR has been shown to be more efficient in fewer sessions in comparison with other forms of talk therapy.