What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach that helps people safely heal from the emotional distress that comes from past or recent traumatic experiences.  Trauma can have lasting impacts on our life and cause flashbacks, nightmares, fear, startle or reactive responses to everyday interactions, and false or negative beliefs and thoughts about oneself and the world.  According to Dr. Laurel Parnell, a leader in attachment-based EMDR treatment, it is “a quantum leap in the human ability to heal trauma and maladaptive beliefs.”
​The EMDR therapy process begins with relaxation and connecting to your own internal strengths and resources. Traumatic memories are stored in the brain differently from other negative experiences and can be re-activated by current reminders; as if the original trauma is occurring in the present moment. Through the use of bi-lateral stimulation (eye-movements, alternating tones or vibrations, or touching/tapping), EMDR therapy simulates your body and brains own capacity to integrate and alleviate distressing images and memories that have been previously unresolved.  The result is that overwhelming experiences from the past no longer intrude into the present.
  • Contact me to schedule a complimentary phone consultation so we can discuss EMDR and determine if it may be a good fit for you and learn how to get started.
  • Explore: www.emdria.com for general information about EMDR
  • Explore: www.parnellemdr.com for information about Attachment-Focused EMDR
Contact:
​Pam Warren
(310) 398-7156
Registered Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist LMFT #96167