EMDR Therapy in San Francisco
Mark Hirschfield MFT (415) 922 4444
999 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. email: mark@markhirschfield.com
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a revolutionary therapy proven by
research to be effective in the treatment and relief of a wide range of
disorders. It is a simple,
non-invasive patient-therapist collaboration in which healing can happen rapidly
and does not involve the use of drugs or hypnosis
The acronym stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and
Reprocessing. We simply refer to it as EMDR.
What
problems are helped by EMDR?
Studies to date show a high degree of effectiveness with the following
conditions:
* trauma
* fears
* anxiety
* childhood trauma
* phobias
* physical abuse
* sexual abuse
* rape
* victims of violent crimes
* post traumatic stress
* depression
* overwhelming fears
* panic attacks
* low self-esteem
* performance and test anxiety
The EMDR technique is most effective when used in conjunction with other traditional methods of therapy. EMDR therapy can help clients replace
their anxiety and fear with positive images, emotions and thoughts.
The
core of the procedure involves the client focusing on a pre-selected specific
image or
remembered sensations while the therapist guides the client's eye movements to
move back and forth. Each set of eye movements may be several seconds long to
several minutes. After each set of eye movements, the client is instructed
to just notice whatever changes occur in the mind and body without controlling
the experience in any way. The therapist considers this information in the light of his or her training and then instructs the client
to focus on a modified image and once again performs a set of eye movements. Eye
movements are not the only option available. Certain tactile and auditory
stimuli have also been demonstrated to be effective
What Happens during the procedure?
When disturbing experiences happen, they are stored in the
brain with all the sights, sounds, thoughts and feelings that accompany them.
When a person is very upset, the brain seems to be unable to process the
experience as it would normally. Therefore, the negative thoughts and feelings
of the traumatic event get "trapped" in the nervous system. Since the
brain cannot process these emotions, the experience and/or their accompanying
feelings, are often suppressed from consciousness. However, the distress lives
on in the nervous system where it causes disturbances in the normal emotional
functioning of the person.
The EMDR technique does two very important things. First, it "unlocks"
the negative memories and emotions stored in the nervous system, and second, it
helps the brain successfully process the experience.
The therapist works gently with the client, guiding him or her to revisit the
traumatic incident. As images and feelings arise, the client's eye movements are
"matched" with the remembered events and then re-directed into
particular movements that cause the release of the memories.
When the memory is brought to mind, the feelings are re-experienced in a new
way. EMDR makes it possible to gain the self-knowledge and perspective that will
enable the client to choose their actions, rather than feeling powerless over
their re-actions.
How does it work?
Well...we don‘t know. Several theories by those promoting EMDR have
been advanced to explain why and how such a seemingly simple method can have
such dramatic and rapid results. EMDR might act as a form of accelerated
information processing that unblocks the brain’s information processing
system. EMDR may tap into the
same mechanisms used in learning and memory now identified with REM sleep.
Another possibility is that blocked processing is manifested as phase
discrepancies between equivalent areas in the brain’s hemispheres and that the
EMDR rhythmic intervention results in improved hemispheric communication with
the result that the blocked material is finally processed.
What
are the advantages of EMDR therapy?
Research studies show that EMDR is very effective in helping people process
emotionally painful and traumatic experiences. When used in conjunction with
other therapy modalities, EMDR helps move the client quickly from emotional
distress to peaceful resolution of the issues or events involved.
Traditional therapies often focus on memories from the unconscious mind,
and then analyzing their meaning to gain insight into the problem. EMDR clients
also acquire valuable insights during therapy, but EMDR can short-cut the
process and go right to the releasing stage.
Studies consistently show that treatments with EMDR result in elimination of the
targeted emotion or memory. The memory remains, but the negative response is
neutralized.
Is
there research that supports these claims?
Fourteen controlled studies of EMDR make it the most thoroughly researched
method ever used in the treatment of trauma! A recent study of individuals who
experienced rape, military combat, loss of loved ones, disasters and serious
accidents, found that 84-90% had relief of their emotional distress after only
three EMDR sessions. Another study showed that EMDR was twice as effective in
half the amount of time of standard traditional psychotherapeutic care. Another
study of subjects with post traumatic stress revealed that the significant
improvement they gained with the EMDR treatments were maintained for at least 15
months.
Although some people have dramatic responses in a short period of time, others
will progress more slowly. However, the results will be equally effective and
long-lasting.
Since the initial medical study in 1989, world-wide research has helped develop
and evolve EMDR. To date, more than half a million people have benefited from
EMDR therapy.
What it is not
EMDR is not hypnosis. You will not go
into a trance or lose conscious control. Although EMDR is a simple procedure, it
cannot be casually applied. Due to its powerful nature, it is essential for EMDR
to be administered by a licensed mental health practitioner in the context of
psychological treatment. EMDR is not a magic pill.
Like hypnosis, EMDR seems to work with
the unconscious mind, bringing into consciousness the repressed thoughts and
feelings that must be experienced again in order to release their energetic hold
on the person.
What type of training does a therapist need to use EMDR?
Only practicing, licensed psychotherapists, psychiatrists, social workers and
counselors may receive EMDR training. These are the only mental health
professionals qualified to use EMDR therapy with clients. A clinical background
is necessary for proper application of the EMDR technique. This is a highly
specialized method that requires supervised training for therapeutic
effectiveness and client safety.
I am a skilled, experienced Level 2 EMDR clinician. If you have any unanswered questions or would like to set up an initial consultation, please call me,
thanks,
Mark Hirschfield MFT (415) 922 4444
(Some of the above info is culled from the websites of Charles A. Jennings, M.C., CPC, and Carol Boulware, Ph.D. Thanks)