Dr. Ruth is now offering:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) for PTSD
Frequently Asked Questions about EMDR
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapeutic method for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions. EMDR is based on the premise that traumatic experiences can become "stuck" in the brain's information processing system. EMDR aims to help the brain reprocess these traumatic memories by combining recall of the traumatic event with bilateral stimulation, typically through guided eye movements, tapping or auditory stimuli.
Does EMDR work?
EMDR has research backing, particularly for PTSD symptoms. EMDR is endorsed by professional organizations including the American Psychological Association (APA). Of note, EMDR is considered a second line PTSD treatment by the APA with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) as first line treatments. In other words, EMDR is a valid treatment choice, but it may not be the first offering we would consider when creating a treatment plan for PTSD.
Is EMDR a controversial therapy?
Discussions about EMDR elicit strong feelings from clients and psychologists (including me!). While EMDR has been found to help some people with PTSD, we don’t really know why it works. The eye movement component (also known as bilateral stimulation) may not be a meaningful active ingredient of the treatment. It’s possible EMDR works for some people because of therapeutic techniques borrowed from Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure. Despite these criticisms, EMDR can be the best treatment choice for some trauma survivors.
Why is Dr. Ruth offering EMDR if it isn’t the gold standard for PTSD treatment?
EMDR is a commonly requested therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I believe that when clients are fully informed and empowered during treatment planning they are much more succesful in therapy. This is especially true for trauma survivors who have had choices and freedom taken away from them. Each person I work with is unique, and having a wider treatment menu gives clients more options to shape their healing journey.
What do EMDR sessions look like?
EMDR sessions are 75 minutes long. Treatment includes eight phases: history gathering, preparation, trauma memory assessment, desensitization/bilateral processing, installation of positive beliefs, body scan, closure, and re-evaluation. There is no set amount of EMDR sessions in the treatment protocol, we are flexible to navigate each phase of the process together.