Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
EMDR at Long Beach Therapy
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis
At Long Beach Therapy, we utilize a variety of tools and techniques to help our clients reach their goals. In addition to regular talk therapy we also offer researched-based methods of helping clients through their issues. One of those research-based methods is called EMDR.
Although EMDR Therapy was first used to treat complex PTSD and “simple” traumas, EMDR isn’t just for PTSD. EMDR can be very effective with depression, anxiety, phobias, self-esteem issues, anger issues, and grief and loss, as well as PTSD and trauma. Many people choose EMDR their extensive time in traditional talk therapy has not yet resulted in substantial progress. EMDR tends to be a quicker treatment compared to other types of therapy styles.
**Amie Lowery-Luyties is recognized & certified by the EMDR International Association as a “certified EMDR therapist”.
EMDR stands for: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
It uses similar eye movements that you have during REM sleep to help you process information in a way that that helps your Cerebral Cortex (logical brain), Limbic (emotional brain) and Brainstem (primitive brain) work together to heal past wounds. These wounds can be from trauma, or simply from adverse experiences (e.g. when you were 8 years old and struck out at baseball and you glanced at your parent who looked upset, which in turn caused you to doubt yourself and and eventually led to self-esteem troubles).
Does EMDR Hurt?
No, EMDR does not hurt in any way and does NOT use any sort of shock treatment. In EMDR, the client has a few options. (1) They can hold little buzzers that feel like your cell phone when it is on vibrate mode. It doesn’t hurt or feel weird. (2) You can listen to an audio where you wear a headset and sounds alternate at a certain level (which is controlled by your therapist)). (3) You can watch a “light bar” which basically consists of a long light where you follow the light with your eyes. (4) You can watch your therapists fingers (about a foot in front of you) as they go back and forth with their hand (they don’t touch you at all).
So What Does That Mean in Non-Scientist Language?
EMDR Explanation
Targeting Wounds
EMDR works to target the specific wounds in your memory bank that cause you problems and then helps you to take the “charge” (the intense feelings) associated with those memories so that you are in less pain.
iPad Analogy
Imagine losing your iPad (representing a troubling memory). You search everywhere, unsure if it’s lost or stolen, and can’t remember where you last used it. Frustrated, you give up until a friend suggests the “find my iPad” app. The app shows it’s at home, and by sending an alert, you locate it under a towel on the counter. The iPad was always within reach, but you lacked the tool to find it. EMDR works like that app—it helps you locate and address what you couldn’t find on your own.
Evidence-Based
Although there is no guarantee with any type of therapy, EMDR has helped many people and is considered an "evidence based treatment" according to the World Health Organization.
Structured Approach
In EMDR, there is a structured process to find the specific wounds in your life that cause you to struggle and gives you a method (bi-lateral stimulation) to process them. The amazing thing about EMDR is that it is often times a specific memory that you don’t even associate with your problems, but it could very well have been the spark that started those problems. With EMDR, if you take out the “core/base” memory, then the problems don’t have a “charged” memory to support them and therefore the problems start disappearing.
With EMDR vs. Without EMDR
How this might play out for someone with trauma: WITHOUT EMDR: A person lives their life not knowing when they will be triggered and be thrown back into the feeling of the moment the trauma happened at any given time. They experience it with their mind and body in a very scary way. They are brought back to that moment like a time machine they can’t control. WITH EMDR: The trauma feels like it is in the past. It is a memory, but it isn’t a “charged” memory (meaning it doesn’t elicit strong feelings or a strong reaction anymore).
Importance of Picking the Right Therapist
The first step in therapy is building a trusting and confidential relationship between you and your therapist. This is crucial because a strong therapeutic alliance can significantly impact the effectiveness (and speed) of the therapy.
If you feel that the therapist is providing you a safe and non-judgmental place to share your thoughts and experiences, you will be more likely to achieve your goals.
We Help with These Issues
At Long Beach Therapy, our goal is to provide a safe and non-judgmental place where we can help our client’s reach their full potential by processing feelings (past and present issues), improving communication, and exploring family issues that may be a barrier to success. We have worked with adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families with various issues including:
Depression, Anxiety, Relationship Issues, Increasing Intimacy, Coming Out Issues, Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity, Self Esteem, Trauma & PTSD, Sexual Assault, Bereavement, and more.
Other Services
We use variety of techniques and approaches, depending on our client’s goals.
Holistic Therapy
Holistic therapy, which is an approach to mental health that considers the whole person, including their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing, rather than focusing solely on symptoms to to bring about comprehensive wellness and balance....
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which involves the therapist guiding you to recalling distressing memories while simultaneously directing your eye movements...
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. This is an evidence-based approach which has been shown in extensive research to be an effective therapy approach...
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT)
TFCBT is a therapy model based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that specifically addresses trauma. It’s designed to help you process and heal from traumatic experiences and PTSD symptoms in a safe and supportive environment.
FLASH Therapy
FLASH Therapy, which is a less intense therapy that uses similar concepts of EMDR in healing distressing memories that are causing issues in your life. FLASH therapy involves the therapist having you recall fragments of distressing memories so that issues that are too scary to focus in on for long periods of time can be addressed....
Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a therapy technique that helps identify and heal where your specific issue is stored within your neurobiology to help you get “unstuck” from the issue and move forward in your life....
Sooo What's Next?
Getting Started
With Therapy At Long Beach Therapy
If you are ready to start, please call/text us or CLICK HERE to schedule your first appointment. If you have questions about starting therapy in Long Beach (or online therapy), please call/text us at 562-310-9741.