When trauma occurs, frozen sensory information remains intact and held neurologically in its original disturbing state. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) creates a link to traumatic memory or painful life events and the maladaptively stored related information, then moves this unprocessed information along the appropriate neurological pathways at an accelerated rate.
Disturbing material is linked to adaptive positive memory networks, which results in the complete reprocessing of memory, eliminating all related disturbance, thus repairing any dysfunctional linkage to memory networks.
A positive shift in self worth, self perception, and previously reactive behavioral patterns and triggers is developed.
EMDR enables the brain to re-process memories that have been "frozen" and creates new neurological pathways so you no longer relive the images, sounds, and feelings when the event is brought to mind. EMDR appears to be similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Therefore, EMDR can be thought of as a physiologically based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new and less distressing way.
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. We can essentially say that there are 3 rules of neuroplasticity: (1). What fires together wires together (2). If you don’t use it you lose it (3). When you make them you break them and when you break them you make them. Repetition is the key to changing the brain and therefore unfortunately, sometimes neuroplasticity works to our disadvantage as in cases where we see chronic pain and addiction. Chronic Wellness & Counseling utilizes specific EMDR protocols to treat such things as acute and chronic pain, phobias, trigger and urge reduction, panic and anxiety. To learn more about any of these protocols or EMDR in general please contact us. We are happy to have a free consultation with you.