MYTHS OF EMDR

EMDR is not hypnosis. You are awake and alert during the entire session. You have complete control of the entire session. In the event you do want to stop, there are safeguards in place. The therapist can’t “make” the client do anything they don’t want to do.

EMDR DOES NOT RECOVER REPRESSED MEMORIES

The brain is simply doing what it is able and feels comfortable doing. The brain is an efficient protective tool. EMDR only assists the brain in reprocessing unstable processed memories. If the brain has locked away a memory, it has done so for a reason. EMDR therapy will not unlock something that you are not ready for. Only time will do that.

THE REPROCESSING PHASE DOES NOT START IN THE FIRST SESSION

Many individuals are fearful they will be forced to start reliving their trauma in the first session. This is in now way true. EMDR is a multi-step process. There is a foundation that sets up a safe place by doing a thorough history before moving on to the reprocessing itself. You will feel comfortable with the therapy before it begins.

EMDR IS NOT JUST FOR SEVERE TRAUMA

It can be used to work through anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and other maladaptive behaviors. These behaviors started somewhere and the belief is that if you return to where it started, the impact of the experience can be changed through that reprocessing. It does not have to be a PTSD situation.

EMDR DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THE ONLY FORM OF THERAPY USED IN A SESSION

Many clients jump back and forth from session to session. People’s lives go on. If something comes up between sessions that need to be addressed, EMDR therapy can be put on hold to process the immediate issues. There is no rule that applies to how often EMDR sessions have to be done.