Derek Wise, MA
Licensed Professional Counselor

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based and highly researched psychotherapy approach designed to work with distressing or traumatic memories. Many psychological difficulties are the result of distressing life experiences which are not stored in your memory properly. These experiences are said to be unprocessed or blocked and need some help to become processed. EMDR is one way to accomplish that.

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Negative emotions, feelings, and behaviors are generally caused by unprocessed or unresolved earlier experiences. The goal of EMDR therapy is to leave you with the emotions, understanding, and perspectives that will lead to healthy and useful behaviors and interactions. EMDR therapy helps your brain to process completely the experiences that are causing problems, and to include new ones that are needed for full health.

Whether you are repairing the damage of trauma, developing relationship skills, or enhancing work or sports performance, brain changes must occur.  EMDR combines the best of what we know about making deep changes in the brain, with the quality connection of a compassionate, non-judgmental therapist.

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WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM EMDR?

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• EMDR is an interactive therapeutic technique that helps alleviate psychological distress.

• In a controlled environment, you work through traumatic experiences in brief intervals.

• Simultaneously a therapist directs your eye movements or administers bilateral tapping, diverting your attention to ensure you are not emotionally overwhelmed or overstimulated.

• Doing so allows you to work through difficult experiences without a harmful response.

• Over time this technique minimizes the impact that traumatic memories have on your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

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WHAT DOES AN EMDR INTENSIVE LOOK LIKE?

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EMDR Intensives are extended EMDR sessions that allow for highly concentrated, focused work.  While traditional therapy is offered in a weekly hour-long format for months or years on end, EMDR Intensives allow you to find faster relief and long-lasting improvement, while focusing solely on your specific treatment goals.  Ongoing intensive EMDR therapy is available if you’d like to address multiple goals.  If you already have a therapist for weekly support, intensive EMDR therapy can be an adjunct to your regular therapy experience.  EMDR Intensives typically occur in 4-7 hour blocks of time over the course of 1-3 days. During your initial assessment, I will make a recommendation for the layout of your intensive treatment. 

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Intensives may also be scheduled for individuals engaged in weekly counseling that could benefit from intensive treatment on a specific issue or symptom.  Your individual therapist can make this clinical recommendation if they determine it would help you.

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WHAT CAN EMDR TREAT?

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EMDR is a comprehensive approach and may be used to treat almost any symptom or disorder. Some of those include:

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• PTSD and Complex Trauma

• Panic Attacks

• Anxiety

• Attachment Trauma

• Phobias

• Obsessions and Compulsions

• Eating Disorders

• Grief

• Depression