EMDR
Sometimes you understand rationally that something is over, while your feeling or your body keeps reacting. An image pushes in, a situation immediately brings tension, or you keep believing something negative about yourself. EMDR can help reduce the emotional charge of such an experience.
EMDR is one of the methods I use, not the starting point. Whether it fits becomes clear during the intake. Below I explain what EMDR is, when it can help and how a treatment works.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. During the treatment you briefly think about the most charged part of a memory while at the same time carrying out a task that asks for your attention. The memory can then become less sharp and less emotional. You do not forget what happened, but it often finds a different place.
EMDR is useful when there is an identifiable experience underneath your symptom. That does not have to be a severe trauma.
Not every symptom comes from an unprocessed memory. When you mainly doubt the direction of your life, struggle with limits, or are stuck in a long standing pattern, another approach may fit better. That is why I look at what is going on before we choose EMDR.
EMDR can take place at my practice on Sarphatistraat in Amsterdam city centre and, when the situation allows, online. We discuss the format during the intake.
How it works
We discuss your symptom, your capacity and the experiences that may play a part. I explain what we are going to do and we decide together where to start.
During the session you stay in contact with the memory and follow the distracting task. After short sets I ask what you notice. You do not have to describe everything in detail and you can always say you want to pause.
We look at what has changed and whether the situation feels different in daily life. Sometimes one memory is enough. Sometimes several experiences turn out to be connected.
Read on
The themes people most often come to me with, from perfectionism to doubt about the direction of your life.
How the support runs, from intro call and intake to a clear explanation and working on it.
Fear of flying, social anxiety, fear of heights and exam anxiety, and when EMDR can play a part.
Online is a form of contact, not a separate treatment. VR can help with controlled practice.
Frequently asked questions
No. For EMDR it is enough that you call up the most charged part of the memory for yourself. What you say out loud is up to you.
No. You stay awake and conscious, your eyes are open, and you can say at any moment that you want to pause or stop.
The time that has passed says little about the charge still attached now. Whether EMDR fits depends on what is going on, not on how old the memory is.
EMDR can temporarily intensify symptoms: restlessness, tiredness or vivid dreams. That is why we discuss beforehand how stable you are at the moment, and why we do not start with it when something else is needed first.
Sometimes. That depends on your symptom and your situation. We discuss during the intake whether that is sensible in your case.
No. I work with adults with mild to moderate symptoms. With complex PTSD or difficulties requiring specialist care, I help you think about where you can go.
In a free fifteen minute call we look at whether your symptom may be connected to an earlier experience, and what a sensible first step would be.
