Meg F. Schneider, MA, LCSW-R

EMDR- Trauma treatment that really helps.

EMDR:  TRAUMA TREATMENT THAT REALLY HELPS

 

Most of us have had some sort of trauma.  There are all kinds; everything from a sudden death in the family, to an accident, to being in a war zone, to finding out your child is an addict, to discovering you are seriously ill, to your wife  having an affair.  And more.  Much more.

The worst thing about a trauma seems to be that it lives WAY after the event.  This is what  is called POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.  It gets in our way no matter where we are or what we are doing.  It haunts us through flashbacks, seeming over reactions to every day events,  and more.    It’s as if whatever has happened is sticking to us like glue and effecting many of the decisions we make.  This is because while we can talk about what’s happened over and over we don’t seem to be able to reach the core of the pain.   The core is the deep and abiding feelings of betrayal, abandonment, anger,  hurt or fear.  We cannot get at these emotions because they are being protected by our unconscious.   It’s as if we fear if we go there it will “kill” us.

But the thing is, it won’t.  What happens during a trauma is that our emotions are so intense the natural way in which our brain functions shifts.  The chemicals change, and the pathway through which information travels is somewhat shutdown.  The amygdala in our brain stem which acts as a kind of doorman for what comes in,  feels the rush of emotion and just goes into lockdown.  So there you are stuck with a knot you can’t unravel.

EMDR is a process that allows you to safely loosen that knot of emotions and  allow the experience to come front and center.  Bilateral stimulation of the brain (I use little vibrators which I place in your hands) allows memories to come forward and through a process of free association the feelings emerge in a controlled  but deep way.

It’s a safe, painless,  process that most people report allows them to relieve themselves of what feels like the ton of bricks they keep dragging with them everywhere.

It’s one of the most powerful tools I use when working with a clients who have PTSD.

 

 

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