What is trauma and how does EMDR help?

The topic of Trauma in the human experience has become an incredibly popular discussion among fellow clinicians and the amount of content available to learn about the topic can seem overwhelming. A few months ago I attended the weekend trainings at JFK University in Berkeley to get trained in a technique (and now also considered a therapy) to treat trauma called Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, aka EMDR. I found the training incredibly profound, enlightening, and exciting. Here is a link to the website of the founder of the technique, Francine Shapiro, Ph. D: http://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/

Her website can provide you with more detailed information and perhaps answer questions you may have about trauma and EMDR. She also has an excellent book with the same title: EMDR: The Breakthrough "Eye Movement" Therapy for Overcoming Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma.

The brain science that has come out to describe trauma and it's effect on memory, stress, our perceptions, our attachment style, and our ability to navigate in the world as a successful adult shows that many who suffer from trauma may be able to process that trauma with the help of EMDR. In many cases, EMDR can help clients gain an adult perspective in a relatively short amount of sessions about topics and issues that they may struggle with for years. To know that this form of therapy is available and not give it a try seems tragic. I encourage folks from all walks of life to find out if this form of therapy is something that might help you. Whether you do EMDR with me or with another clinician, don't wait any longer to give it a try.

Do you live far from Oakland? Feel free to call with requests for EMDR clinicians in your area. I may be able to recommend someone near you.