EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)
The World Health Organization describes EMDR as "therapy based on idea that negative thoughts, feelings & behaviors are the result of unprocessed memories.
EMDR is an powerful tool for people who've experienced (or are experiencing) trauma, low self-esteem, anger, abuse, pain, guilt, PTSD, anxiety, phobias & fears.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a revolutionary therapy, which has helped millions release painful experiences, memories, or beliefs. By utilizing the brain’s natural healing processes, EMDR therapy quickly heals many emotional problems and conditions which have been difficult and time consuming to treat in the past. It does not involve a trance-state (such as hypnotherapy), and allows clients to 'connect the dots' as to causes of emotions their feeling, release those emotions and move forward.
What does 'EMDR' mean?
EMDR is an acronym for ‘Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing’, discovered and patented by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1989. While walking through Central Park, Dr. Shapiro noted a healing effect from moving her eyes back and forth while simultaneously recalling a disturbing event. Since that time, thousands of therapists have trained in this highly effective treatment. It has become the chosen treatment for persons suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It is frequently used with the military and first-responders.
How long does EMDR take?
Sometimes a 2-hour session of EMDR is sufficient to provide immediate relief from emotional distress. However, the length of treatment depends on multiple factors, and some patients benefit from additional sessions to reinforce or to address other issues as they occur or as a client identifies triggers related to other memories or events.
Can EMDR be done during a pandemic in a virtual session?
Comment from Clifton Fuller: “EMDR is a very effective tool to address many painful feelings and I have used EMDR in my office practice for over 25 years. Due to the 2020 Covid pandemic, and the need to keep my clients safe from potential exposure to Covid, I moved to online telehealth counseling (HIPAA-secure video counseling). My clients, my staff and I all had to adapt, due to the safety and health issues that would have presented themselves with continued in-office face-to-face counseling.
Because EMDR is based on bilateral (left-right) stimulation of the brain, and visual imagery, the therapy can also be utilized during a video session. I obtained additional training and certification to provide EMDR in a virtual session environment. I guide my clients on the most effective online processes to pat themselves, left and right, on either side of the midline of their body, while holding a mental picture. EMDR-online may slow down the process slightly, for some, but I’ve found the results remain as effective as face-to-face EMDR therapy.
This has allowed my clients to continue to receive effective relief from symptoms of anxiety, depression, panic, pain management, and PTSD while continuing online video sessions while being conveniently at home. During the stressful times of CV-19, EMDR has helped many of my clients continue to remain mentally healthy, even as they address issues during this time.”
How does EMDR it work?
In spite of medical advances, some mechanisms of the brain remain a mystery. However, several theories have emerged to explain the amazing outcomes of EMDR treatment. During EMDR, bilateral stimulation (created by eye movements or alternating tapping on the hands) activates the opposite sides of the brain allowing the brain to release emotional experiences that are "trapped" in the nervous system.
This type of stimulation resembles REM sleep as our eyes move from one side to the other. It is during REM sleep that the brain naturally sorts out our experiences from the day, discarding useless information and transferring memories to the appropriate part of the memory. However, sometimes extremely negative experiences can get “trapped” or “frozen” in the brain, unable to resolve naturally, resulting in nightmares, depression, anger, anxiety, or emotional disturbance.
EMDR is like ‘connecting the dots’ to allow a person to release difficult memories, physical pain, or trauma.
What does EMDR do?
EMDR assists to unlock these painful memories or beliefs as the eye movement or tapping stimulates the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate with each other, arriving at new conclusions, so that the original trauma no longer contains the negative emotional charge originally associated with it!
Who benefits from EMDR?
EMDR has been utilized primarily in the treatment of trauma experiences such as physical or sexual abuse, car accidents, and victims of crime, natural disasters, and severe loss or grief or war veterans. However, positive results have also been observed with panic and anxiety disorders, sexual dysfunction, chemical dependency, peak performance and chronic pain. Extensive research has shown EMDR as the most effective and rapid method for healing PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). In addition, EMDR can result in increased self-esteem, decreased feelings of depression, and a renewed spirituality. EMDR has been utilized all over the world and proven effective with adults, children, and adolescents.
Clifton Fuller
LCSW, LPC, LMFT
Certified EMDR (Level I & II)
“One of the goals I have when I see clients is to help them address their issues as quickly as possible. EMDR has been a powerful therapeutic tool to accomplish that goal, as it allow clients to address trauma, pain, or emotions more quickly than traditional ‘talk-therapy’. Of course, every client is unique and a therapist must make an assessment if EMDR is appropriate for a specific client’s needs.
I work with therapists and physicians (such as pain management physicians) who refer their clients to my offices for sessions of EMDR. Once completed, the clients return to their therapist or physician for continued care.
I work with ‘first responders’, military service members and officers who have experienced traumatic events. Those experiences create painful memories that are like ‘tape recordings’ that just keep playing in their minds (whether awake or asleep), forcing them to ‘re-live’ those experiences. With EMDR, they’ve been able to stop those repetitive memories from controlling their lives. It doesn’t mean that they forget the experiences; it means the painful feelings attached to their memories can be released.
I also work with students or professionals experiencing panic attacks, difficulty focusing, anxiety, or school issues, those addressing depression or painful childhood memories, as well as anger, guilt and forgiveness issues.”
-Clifton Fuller, LCSW, LPC, LMFT
Clifton Fuller is a Certified Level I and Level II EMDR Therapist,
as well as certified to provide EMDR online.
San Antonio, TX 78248 Phone 210.970.1511
HIPAA-Compliant tele-counseling video sessions available. Easily schedule sessions 24/7 online.
New Clients: Click HERE to register Current Clients: Click HERE & schedule
NOTE: Clifton Fuller is licensed in Texas and provides counseling services for Texas residents.
Clifton Fuller authored the book, “Marriage Vampire: Living with a Narcissist,” now available on Amazon.
Permission to reprint and share his information is permitted if shared in its entirety, (without editing or revision) for personal, educational or mental health information. Contact our offices for permission regarding the use of sections in the article. Information contained in this article and any other resources on this website are for educational and informational purposes only and are not intended as health, mental health or medical advice. Always consult a physician, mental health other qualified health providers health provider regarding any questions you have about medical, mental health or health objectives. Copyright 2020.
