EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Trauma Therapy
EMDR therapy for trauma, abuse, stress, religious trauma, and negative beliefs in Knoxville, TN
What is EMDR?
EMDR is one of the most evidenced-based treatments for PTSD, traumatic experiences, and childhood trauma.
Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR is a therapeutic approach used to help individuals process and cope with distressing memories, traumatic experiences, and stuck beliefs. EMDR works to help the brain reprocess these memories by using a set of procedures that includes bilateral stimulation, such as rapid eye movements or alternating tapping. The goal is to help your brain reprocess these memories in a way that allows you to integrate them more healthily.
Almost anyone can benefit from EMDR. You don’t have to have a big trauma or PTSD. If you’re feeling stuck, can’t get over something that happened to you, or struggle with the same negative beliefs about yourself, EMDR can help.
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Trauma
Heal from childhood trauma, PTSD, sexual abuse, childbirth trauma, and traumatic experiences
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Negative Beliefs
Get past stuck beliefs about yourself, like “I’m never good enough” or “I’m unwanted”
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Upsetting Memories
Find freedom from grief, loss, a divorce or break-up, bullying, and other hurtful experiences
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Religious Trauma
Let go of toxic, entrenched religious beliefs and heal from religious trauma and purity culture
FAQs about EMDR
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EMDR was developed to treat PTSD, traumatic experiences, and childhood traumas. In my practice, I use it to treat any “stuck” negative beliefs, such as “I am a failure” or “I am worthless.” I also use EMDR to treat religious trauma and entrenched, toxic religious beliefs. EMDR can help you get unstuck from any situations, events, or beliefs you can’t get over.
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When a person goes through a traumatic event, the brain may not process the information properly, and the memories can become "stuck" in a way that causes emotional distress. EMDR uses eye movements or alternating tapping in order to provide bilateral stimulation to your brain. Stimulating both hemispheres of your brain helps your brain reprocess traumatic memories or stuck beliefs so you can finally get over them.
The goal is to help your brain reprocess these memories in a way that allows you to integrate them more healthily. This may involve changing negative beliefs and emotions associated with the memories, helping you see the events in a new light, and reducing the emotional charge they carry. EMDR doesn’t erase the memories, but it works with the mind-body connection to reduce the emotional and physical distress you feel from the memories.
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No, EMDR is not hypnosis. You are fully awake and alert the whole time. You are in charge of the process and can stop at any time if you are uncomfortable.
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Yes, there is nothing sinful or unbiblical about EMDR. EMDR uses our brain’s God-given capacity to heal. Through reprocessing stuck memories, we can find freedom from lies we believe about ourselves and discover God’s truth. If you find it helpful, we can integrate your faith into the healing process by using spiritual imagery, prayer, Scripture, and other spiritual practices.
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EMDR is unique from other forms of trauma treatment in that it is not “talk therapy.” You do not have to share the details of your traumatic experiences in order for them to be processed.
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Yes, if your current therapist does not offer EMDR but you would like to stay with them, you can see me for EMDR, then return to your original therapist. You could also see me in a Therapy Intensive while continuing with your current therapist.
Therapy Intensives
An accelerated form of EMDR Therapy for those who want to make significant progress in a short amount of time.