You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy that prompts a client to focus briefly on an emotional memory or trigger while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements). The results are two-fold: a decrease in the intensity of emotion associated with the memory/trigger and an increase in adaptive beliefs associated with the memory/trigger. EMDR is an extensively researched, evidence-based therapy proven to help people recover from symptoms associated with trauma, anxiety and depression.

A multitude of leading national and international organizations in mental health treatment recommend EMDR as an effective therapy.

EMDR therapy does not require some of steps common in other therapeutic approaches. It does not require talking or writing in detail about the distressing issue. Clients receiving EMDR therapy also do not have "homework" or have to practice skills in between sessions. Rather than focusing on changing the pattern of
emotions, thoughts, and behaviors related to the distressing issue, EMDR allows the brain to
resume its natural healing process. 

Our brains have a natural way to process and recover from distressing experiences. This process involves communication between three different parts of the brain (amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex), each which play a role in helping us make sense of the experience and connecting emotions to the memory of the experience. While many times this process completes naturally on its own, sometimes it does not. In those cases a person will notice that a memory or trigger causes an overwhelming amount of emotion and maladaptive beliefs (I am helpless, I am worthless) feel very true. EMDR therapy prompts the brain to reprocess these memories, which allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the emotions connected to it are no longer overwhelming and healthier beliefs (I did the best I could, I am good enough as I am) begin to feel true.

EMDR therapy can help children and adults of all ages. Therapists use EMDR therapy to address a broad range of issues. At Blossom Behavioral Health of Michigan, EMDR is used to treat symptoms associated with trauma, anxiety or depression which may stem from:

• Childhood experiences
• Relationship problems
• Grief and loss
• Chronic illness or medical issues
• Pain
• Performance anxiety
• Sexual assault
• Sleep disturbance
• Substance abuse
• Violence or abuse
• Accidents
• Disasters
• Vicarious trauma experienced through work as a helping professional