Is EMDR for you? Amazing Facts you need to know

When my client Jennifer came to me for the first time, she was morbidly obese. She saw me lose weight with hypnosis, but as I listened to her, I knew we needed to work on something more profound than shredding the excess pounds.

I sensed that an underlying issue was causing her overeating, and it turned out she was using food to hide from a traumatic event from her past.

After a few hypnosis sessions, we were able to unlock the root cause of her overeating, allowing Jennifer to come to terms with what had happened and move forward in her life.

I wasn’t surprised when she pointed at a scar on her neck during our advanced sessions and asked me: “Did you see that?”

Of course, I saw it; the scar ran across her throat. I saw it immediately when she walked into my office, but I was waiting for her to bring it up.

I was sure it had to do with the reason why she overate.

We talked about Jennifer’s past, and she told me that her stepfather tried to kill her by using a knife when she was a child. She forgot why he attacked her; it was because of something he blamed her she had done, but she couldn’t remember what it was.

This traumatic event made her feel unwanted, helpless, and alone. As time passed, all those feelings turned into anger, and she began to push people away and gain weight.

From then on, our sessions were focused on helping her process the trauma and teaching her new coping skills for dealing with emotions.

We used a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy, talk therapy, hypnosis, and a relaxation technique called “Havening,” invented by the internist Dr. Ruden in New York, to help Jennifer let go of the pain and fear associated with the childhood event.

But it wasn’t before I could convince her that EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, would be the most effective method to get to the root causes of her deep-buried drama that her therapy was genuinely practical.

What Is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people process traumatic events. Dr. Francine Shapiro developed it in the late 1980s to treat individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or sound stimulation, to help people process deeply held emotional memories stored in the brain. It is believed to stimulate communication between both hemispheres of the brain so that traumatic memories can be processed and integrated into a person’s life story.

During EMDR therapy, I ask my clients to recall a traumatic memory while focusing on different forms of bilateral stimulation. This helps to desensitize the client from the trauma and reprocess it more adaptively. Combining this with other therapeutic modalities, EMDR therapy can help people process memories, reduce symptoms related to PTSD, and improve overall functioning. It is considered an effective treatment for PTSD.

But EMDR doesn’t stop there. It is often used to treat other psychological disorders, like anxiety, addictions, and agoraphobia. EMDR therapy has been extensively researched, and clinical studies support its efficacy. It can be a powerful tool for healing from trauma and improving overall well-being.

Through EMDR, Jennifer could let go of her pain and anger over what had happened while also gaining insight into why her stepfather had acted the way he did.

It was a long journey for Jennifer, but she emerged from it with renewed confidence and self-esteem, feeling empowered to make positive changes. With the help of hypnosis, we could get beyond the surface issues and uncover what was really going on inside. With EMDR, we could free Jennifer of former traumatic memories and beliefs.

Thanks to the combination of hypnosis, cognitive-behavioral therapy, talk therapy, and EMDR, Jennifer was able to heal her mind and body and regain control of her life. She lost over 50 pounds in six months, but more importantly, she retrieved a sense of peace that had been missing from her life for so long.

7 Benefits of EMDR

1. Aids in Processing Traumatic Memories:

EMDR utilizes bilateral brain stimulation to help rewire the nervous system and allow individuals to process traumatic memories. The goal is not to forget these memories, but rather to come to terms with them so they no longer cause distress.

2. Treats a Variety of Conditions:

EMDR has been used to treat a range of psychological issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, depression, and phobias. It can also be useful in addressing physical health concerns such as chronic pain and migraines.

3. Reduces Anxiety:

EMDR helps reduce anxiety by allowing individuals to process their experiences in a safe and controlled environment. The technique helps to decrease the intensity of anxiety-causing memories or triggers, providing relief from symptoms.

4. Reduces Stress:

EMDR has been shown to reduce stress levels by helping individuals gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors surrounding stressful situations. This can lead to an improved ability to handle difficult emotions and manage stress more effectively.

5. Improves Coping Skills:

By helping individuals process their experiences, EMDR can improve an individual’s coping skills. This includes developing new strategies for handling stressful situations and improving communication with others.

6. Fast-Acting:

Unlike many other forms of therapy, EMDR is a fast-acting technique that can provide relief from psychological issues quickly. This makes it an advantageous treatment for individuals looking for quick relief from their symptoms.

7. Non-Invasive:

EMDR does not require the use of medication or invasive procedures, making it a safe and non-invasive way to address psychological issues.

If you are interested in learning how to unlock the power of your subconscious mind and free yourself from the effects of old wounds, the aftermath of accidents, traumatic episodes, or physical and psychological attacks, give EMDR a chance to help you achieve lasting and meaningful healing.

If you have questions about the effectiveness of the combination of hypnosis and EMDR for trauma relief, please do not hesitate to book a free consultation with me to discuss how I can help you.

Nobody should have to live with the painful reminders of past experiences. There is help for you to be free from your traumas and move forward in life with renewed confidence and joy.