What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for treating trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from different treatment approaches.
Your EMDR Journey: What to Expect
Starting EMDR can feel like a big step, but at Inner Peace Therapeutic Services, we guide you through a structured, 8-phase process designed for your safety and success. Here is what the experience actually looks like:
Phase 1: Preparation & Safety First
Before we begin any reprocessing, we focus on Resourcing. You will work with your therapist to develop “grounding” tools—like the Safe State or Container exercises. These ensure that you feel in control and have a “mental exit ramp” if emotions become intense.
Phase 2: The Reprocessing Session
When you are ready to process a memory, we use Bilateral Stimulation (BLS). This might involve following a light with your eyes, holding tappers that gently pulse in your hands, or listening to alternating tones.
- The Experience: It is often described as watching a movie from a train window. You are aware of the “scenery” (the memory), but you are safely moving past it in the present moment.
- The Goal: We stay with the memory just long enough for your brain to begin “digesting” the trauma, moving it from a stuck, emotional state to a calm, historical one.
Phase 3: Strengthening the Positive
Once the distress of a memory has faded, we work to “install” a new, healthy belief. Instead of the old thought (“I am in danger”), we strengthen a positive one (“I am safe now” or “I did the best I could”). We ensure your body feels clear and relaxed when you think of the event.
Phase 4: Closure & Integration
We end every session with grounding to ensure you feel “back in the room” and ready for your day. Over time, many clients find that the memories which used to cause panic now feel distant and no longer carry an emotional “sting.”
Ready to see if EMDR is right for you? Dr. Grantland is a Certified EMDR Therapist and we have several EMDR trained clinicians on staff here to help.
The following link provides information about how EMDR therapy works, what it is like, and how widely it is recognized. Courtesy of EMDR International Association.
