About EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders. EMDR therapy is an empirically validated treatment used by clinicians who adhere to a well-established methodology and can be used to address a wide range of challenges.
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework between sessions. EMDR therapy, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process.
EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies and EMDR therapy can help children, youth, and adults of all ages.
In the late 1980s, Francine Shapiro discovered a connection between eye movement and persistent upsetting memories. With this personal insight, she began what became a lifelong study and development of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. There are eight phases to EMDR therapy: initial history discovery and treatment planning, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and then re-evaluation.
Helen completed an expanded option of the EMDR basic training which involved over 140 hours of learning through instructional material, 20 hours supervised practicum experience, and 10 hours of consultation with an EMDRIA Consultant in February 2022.
After completing the requirements to achieve her EMDR therapy basic training, Helen chose to pursue certification as an EMDR therapist with the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). This process required that Helen complete 20 hours of consultation focused on becoming certified as an EMDR therapist. She completed 10 hours of individual consultation, including the submission of 2 video tapes of her work with clients to demonstrate that she was familiar with and able to apply the basic protocol of EMDR therapy with EMDR clients on her caseload. This certification process also included 10 hours of group consultation where Helen could learn from her consultant and other therapists in her group, as well as provide suggestions to other therapists in the group.
To maintain this credential, EMDRIA Certified Therapists must complete twelve hours of continuing education in EMDR every two years. Helen has completed a number of advanced workshops including Integrating Creative Art Therapies and EMDR, EMDR Therapy for Personality Disorders, and Adapting EMDR for Indigenous Populations.
Links
Trauma and the Nervous System: A Polyvagal Perspective -
Short video
What is the Polyvagal Theory? -
Short video
Brain Therapy and PTSD with Jim Knipe PhD: 2015 IDA Brain IDEAS Symposium -
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EMDR Canada -
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EMDR Therapy with Robert Tinker PhD - 2016 Brain IDEAS Symposium -
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EMDRIA -
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Iain McGilchrist 'The Divided Brain' Interview by Iain McNay -
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Intergenerational Trauma Animation -
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Introduction to EMDR -
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Introduction to EMDR Therapy -
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How EMDR works? Animation -
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Overview of EMDR by Francine Shapiro -
Part 1
Overview of EMDR by Francine Shapiro -
Part 2
Overview of EMDR by Francine Shapiro -
Part 3
What is EMDR? -
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Why does EMDR Work? -
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Information Formatted for Printing
About EMDR -
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FAQ -
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Definition of EMDR -
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Explanation of EMDR -
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