How Does EMDR Work? Can It Help Me?

[@katiewilliams2877]

Thank you, Barbara! I'm a fellow therapist, and when I recommend EMDR to a client, yours is the video I direct them to for further explanation. Thanks for putting this video together!

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Thank you for letting me know!

[@crookedjaw1]

I still don't understand I was looking to figure out what the eye movement had to do with it

[@vittoriasecrets269]

I just had my first emdr session last week. I have complex grief after my dog died tragically. I could not stop thinking of the whole day it happened. After 1 session I now feel I can't focus on the day anymore. I test myself but I just cannot relive it, like before the session. Very Powerful therapy. I previously did 4 years of schema group therapy which was amazing. But I think EMDR is the way to go. Highly recommend it

[@pambrown8692o]

I’ve been going to therapy for the past two months(8wks). Towards the end of my last appointment this last Friday evening my therapist told me that in the next session we are going to start EMDR therapy. I am taking this coming week off to mentally prepare myself for my first EMDR therapy session. Thank You for this video. It helped me better understand what EMDR therapy is, how it works, and what it does. I am not as nervous for my upcoming appointment.

[@takeadeepbreathin]

Hey… I was just curious how it’s going for you? Do you like EMDR therapy and do you think it’s been working for you? I really hope that it has and that you are thriving and doing amazing!! My therapist wants to start EMDR but I’m really unsure. Sending you all of my best wishes and love!

[@pambrown8692o]

@@takeadeepbreathin therapy is the best thing I have ever done for me. I’ve been through a lot of trauma in the last 23+ years personally and things my family has gone through. My first EMDR appointment actually wasn’t as hard on me as I thought it was going to be. I think j had built it up so much in my head that when the appointment came around it wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be. Of course we did start with something that I had already been working on for a long time, and so when I had the EMDR appointment I think that it was easier on me. After that appointment we were going to wait a few weeks to do another EMDR appointment, and worked on other things in the meantime. However a lot of things happened that needed attention so my EMDR appointments have been put on the back burner for the moment. I would say that if you are dealing with something or there is anything you have PTSD/trauma over going to therapy will be so beneficial to you. My therapist told me that even she goes to therapy at least once a month to talk things out because everyone needs someone they can talk to. I am 42 years old. I wish that I had started therapy/counseling a looooong time ago. I think my mental health would be so much better, and I wouldn’t be working on the things I am working on now if I had. I would t have allowed the people in my life to walk all over me if I had already been going to therapy and learned how to set boundaries earlier in life.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Thank you everyone for watching this video! Please let me know if you found it helpful. If you are willing to share whether you've tried EMDR, and whether it has been helpful or not, I'd be interested, and it might help someone else! Let me know if you have questions.

[@ZebraDog7]

very calming, soothing, and well-paced. didn't talk too fast or too slow. am starting EMDR with a trained therapist and a bit anxious since I'm used to CBT only.

[@BrooklynHanna]

I've heard of this for anxiety, but never really knew what it was. Thank you!

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi Brooklyn: You are welcome! Your channel on mold illness and chronic fatique looks interesting. There are also EMDR protocols for chronic fatique and the trauma caused by a chronic illness, just FYI!

[@AdrianaGirdler]

Hi Barbara. Great breakdown of this. I love how you explained that it engages both parts of the brain. I've never done this but it sounds like many people could benefit greatly from it! Cheers!

[@eddie_bear666]

This was helpful, I have just had my initial assessment to see if EMDR is for me. And I am due to start properly in a few weeks. I am a little frightened but I am eager to start

[@CherryCola257]

I have had about 5 emdr therapy session now and I’m like a way different person. It’s a little unnerving because my nervous system has been stuck in hyper vigilance my entire life, I had know what living this calm feels like.

[@Difraser]

Helpful, thank you

[@judithstarr2319]

Hello, I started EMDR two weeks ago and am committed to giving this process 6 mo to see if this therapy works for me. Thank you for the great explanation.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

It is terrific to commit to giving it time! I wish you a lot of luck with it!

[@AlenaAlena777]

Very beneficial and enlightening! Thank you Dr. Heffernan.

[@fitGURL67]

Very good explanation. I will be using this video to show to my clients. I am an LCSW trained in EMDR.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Excellent! Thanks for the work you do :)

[@Hrieth-v3x]

you are a jewel, Barbara.. Thank you for your generous posts!

[@lays9957]

I have had fear of panic attacks, and when I fear i get panic attack ..I have been suffering for more then 7 years, i tried so many things to stop this but to no avail , then I came across emdr for the first time yesterday and i started to self administer my self yesterday and honestly this have changed my life I have never felt better...im still working on it ..I'll update you guys

[@iwacuinstituteoffamilycounsell]

This is very helpful.

[@healingjourney2652]

thank you this was very helpful! i'm 23 and start my first EMDR session in the next few weeks ! learning about it a little will help hopefully reduce my anxiety first session if i know what to expect

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hope the video was helpful! Wishing you luck with the therapy!

[@angelmorales3095]

Any updates?

[@nietzsche4342]

you have been to Italy and bought a book on the shells of garzanti. In addition to that I congratulate you because you are really good! Ciao dall'Italia.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Ciao :). Love visiting your country :)

[@inthevortex-de1rh]

She is the best teacher.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

awww... thanks! that means a lot to me!

[@HolisticKarine]

Thank-you for this great info. I too use EMDR in my practice and find it can heal trauma for some better than other therapist.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi Karine: I'm pleased you like the video. It looks like you do terrific work!

[@shannon9727]

As a licensed marriage family therapist, I use EMDR with my patients. I found your explanation to be excellent and will be using it in my practice when I explain EMDR to my clients. Thank you

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Thanks Shannon! I hope it is helpful for you and your clients!

[@enkeledavranoci5679]

Could I have lessons with you about the therapy? Love the way you explain! Thank U

[@davinarasmussen]

Thank you so much for simplifying the treatment explanation! This was suggested for me and everything I read was not exactly layman friendly 🤗

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

You are very welcome. I'm so pleased it was helpful!

[@janetbranch6130]

Helpful, my brother is about to start this, thank you!

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Wonderful! GLad it was helpful!

[@cindyschriekenberg134]

Thank you, very helpfull!

[@korsbar1978]

Very useful stuff, thank you.

[@rosemaryclark931]

Helpful. Thank you 😊

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JillTherese]

This is so interesting - I have a friend who was a therapist who was just talking about this- so cool!

[@rebekahcortez]

Helpful thank you

[@Lmstorey86]

Extremely beneficial

[@jalpatel6301]

Helpful ❤

[@skunkaroonie]

My therapist just recommended emdr and this was helpful to look into, thank you

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jessicabinkley-it6ob]

Very helpful!

[@Boondockmum]

Helpful! Thank you. ✨

[@tomfaranda]

Just found your channel; I plan on working through some of your vids. 🤗😇

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Welcome!! I hope they are helpful!

[@danelloosthuizen4602]

Helpful... I am nervous: my first EMDR session is coming up this Saturday and I was not sure what to expect. Still probably not, but hopefully all will go well. Thank you for the information

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

You are very welcome and it is great you are starting this journey! I hope all goes well as well!

[@audrachristine5044]

Thank you for the simple explanation, I have been seeing a therapist for six months because I specifically wanted to do EMDR. I saw another one before this and the technique was totally different just thinking about some thing for 15 minutes while holding tappers and having earphones on and then briefly describing what came up and then moving on. I was told that that’s all it takes but now I’m wondering if it was really doing anything. With the new one we have tried it a few times but not consistently, and the last time something, more of a feeling or sensation inside of me came up and it is a very difficult feeling. Basically a black hole. I didn’t know that things don’t get re-processed instantly and that very strong emotions can continue to come up after the session is over and I’ve been struggling since that last session So I’m just going to keep going back and hopefully it will work itself out. I’ve just really wanted a full understanding of this process and what to expect can happen. Some thing that I really don’t know if anyone would have an answer to is if you suffered trauma as a child and are working through it with EMDR but also are currently suffering ongoing similar trauma. I have been in denial for a long time about the fact that my parents have been emotionally abusive to each other and to me. And there is a lot of yelling every single day, and a lot of insulting and just negative comments. And it was like that all through my childhood I had always told myself that it wasn’t affecting me. I have to live with them right now because I’m suffering from a chronic illness and it’s currently impossible for me to leave. I just wonder if it is possible to become desensitized to something like that while it is still happening. They are good people and I love them and I know they love me but I’m realizing more and more how much that has been part of my issues. I just really wonder, because I’m basically in fight or flight mode all the time and that is due to many factors, if it is possible to heal while still being exposed to a trigger on a daily basis. I hope it is…

[@amyj.4992]

Super helpful

[@The_Crow-]

Helpful

[@joannatsitaki7040]

Very comprehensive and well explained video of how emdr works. Thank you again Barbara! Your videos are being valuable to me at this stage.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi Joanna: I'm so pleased the videos are helpful to you!

[@jacquelinebaures4226]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

So glad it was helpful!

[@zoeannmalott6407]

I am so messed up! I never feel safe unless I have control!

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi ZoeAnn: I'm sorry to hear you feel so messed up. Lots of us want to have control because we think it'll make us feel better! But it is an illusion, right? There really is no such thing! And so many things that are completely out of our control - it is very hard to relax with that, but very useful to start to try... I find the Serenity Prayer to be one of the best ways to begin to reduce anxiety (and it doesn't have to be a "prayer"): Grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

[@bethleas2770]

Awesome! Very helpful and informative. Looking forward to your next videos.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Thank you Beth!

[@zoewaldron2899]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@MrCesar90403]

thank you so much. very helpful video.

[@SaffyKaffy]

Helpful,,, thank you!

[@willsonthomas]

Great job. Very helpful.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robyndewhirstlcsw-bacs2846]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@IAmStillHere-ws4jc]

This was helpful

[@CA.MI.]

Incredibly helpful and soothing 🙏🏻

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

So glad it was helpful! And soothing too :)

[@NaturalmenteFrugal]

Thank you. Very helpful!😊

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

So glad!

[@mariamkinen8036]

Due to my congenital birth status , I clearly state a No! Enough trouble committed already. Trying hard to sweep out the curses set by MXN n NF. The proof is to win . I'm not allowed to sit cross-legged or go to hot saunas due to my birth status . Thank you. Maybe you do understand .

[@vanderglobe]

Fascinating!

[@sandrajeddeloh516]

Helpful!

[@nancysmail9074]

Very helpful

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

So glad to hear that!

[@gingerweiser7139]

Very helpful.. Thank you ..

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

You are welcome!

[@gingerweiser7139]

I am so grateful that you are willing to take time to provide help for those of us who are struggling. Your calm demeanor exudes comfort, and the sincerity in wanting to help.. Thank you..

[@amandadurnell7277]

very helpful thank you.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stanleyplock1181]

This looks like watching a hypnotist's pendulum. It also reminds me of Robert Monroe's Hemi-Sync. Especially with headphones. But they also use lights. (Alternating left and right.)

[@xMorrigan777]

Interesting! EMDR is very powerful. I can attest to that.

[@tylerpearson5454]

How many sessions did you do?

[@oliviaswann4686]

I tried it once but my EMDR therapist saw fit to ask me why I had tattoos and what a dream meant. Byeeee.

[@parthenon19]

July 25th 2023 17:50 EDT Barbara, can EMDR be successfully used in a Bipolar 2 with GAD patient?

[@cocorner6362]

Hi, this is by far the most helpful video about EMDR, which I've only recently taken into consideration. Would you recommend EMDR for depression and anxiety due to numerous traumatic experiences? I don't have one traumatic experience but many, and I don't really remember all of the details about them.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi: I'm so glad this was useful, though very sorry to hear about all the traumatic experiences. This is not an easy question to answer. I do have a video that considers EMDR for Complex PTSD: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKbbfqCJjsqUa7c.

[@cocorner6362]

@@BarbaraHeffernan hi, thanks for the response. The problem is I don't know if my traumas are "real traumas". I grew up with an overly protective mother and a distant father, this led to being extremely shy and feeling defenseless in the face of bullies. Are these what you call traumas?

[@joe-zp7ge]

does emdr work for general anxiety or anxiety in general? did not have a perfect life but cant recall any major traumas in my life.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Generalized Anxiety? EMDR does help! #emdr #generalized anxiety #helpforanxiety

[@alexysjessica9275]

My therapist sent me this video since she thinks I’m a good candidate for this therapy. I’m a little scared and unsure since I have cPTSD and will be unpacking over a decade of trauma. What do you think is the most helpful question you can ask your clients to make sure they’re ready for this therapy ?

[@anayetakanda887]

I would like to get your recommendation that explained psychophysiology of EMDR therapy . I mean how it does work.

[@KateMurray]

Super informative, thanks for sharing this! My daughter is afraid of the dark, would the same techniques work for her?

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi Kate: EMDR works super well with kids!

[@JessicaBurgo]

I need this for my anxietty!

[@tylerpearson5454]

I'm starting it Monday. I'm really hopeful.

[@jonniemaemiddletonlotte6747]

Nice.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Glad you found it useful!

[@michellezaylar]

HELPFUL

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Thank you Michelle!

[@itsmv111]

Can EMDR be done virtually through Telehealth? is it as effective as in person?

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Yes, it can be done virtually. I started working with it virtually about 5 years before the pandemic and found it equally effective, though I'm not sure everyone agrees with that. Many people are doing it virtually now. Wishing you the best!

[@williamkingman7451]

helpful

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Glad it helped!

[@deborahmckeown9148]

Helpful 💖🐾

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

So happy to hear that!

[@marykatherinenolan4274]

Very interesting and helpful! Years ago I had a bad kitesurf accident ( and a guardian angel for sure). I'm fine once I'm in the water, but have panic attacks raising my kite on the beach so I've pretty much given it up. I don't like feeling panicky, it's not me. Would this help??

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi MK: EMDR is perfect for this type of event! I would think it would be a fairly quick course of therapy. LMK if you have other questions :)

[@maxbelizaire9261]

My friend little brother was shot n killed I attend the funeral saw the bullet wounds he was 20 years old and that was my first time attending a young person funeral where there life’s were taken

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

I'm so sorry to hear this... How tragic. And traumatic. Wishing you and your friend healing...😥😥😥

[@maxbelizaire9261]

@@BarbaraHeffernan thank you I just don’t know what to do because sometimes my mind dwell on the thought of that happening to me even doe I don’t live that life style, I’ve been depressed and it makes me think about my own mortality literally everyday it’s like my brain hasn’t really processed what I seen, my eyes are always low and turned yellow ish, and I sometimes just lose my concentration, basically I’ve been traumatized from seeing that horrible experience and I’m thinking about doing EMDR therapy

[@hbb4384]

Helpful madam

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Glad to hear that!

[@sarofan]

I have cptsd and anorexia and i was suggested to start emdr. very unsure tbh. Ive done Prolonged exposure therapy in the past and helped very little, starting trauma therapy again sounds way too painful and im not sure i want to get through it again

[@Cherailove]

Definitely try it when you're ready. It works.

[@sarofan]

@@Cherailove sorry! for some reason i couldnt get my head around it but at the same time i couldnt trust the therapist. recently started TF-CBT! hope everyone is well.

[@sachinworlikar8020]

those mini series are not available on your site anymore?

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi Sachin: Unfortunately, they are not. (It was free yet the site was charging me per user...!). I plan to release the material on KZbin directly in the next few months. Stay tuned!!

[@ebbyhamrick7063]

My Np recommend you. I’m very excited to learn some tools for better mental health 🫶🏽

[@joannar.]

Thanks :)

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hope it was helpful!

[@joannar.]

@@BarbaraHeffernan Yes :) Thank you.

[@joannar.]

@@BarbaraHeffernan EMDR makes sense. Only processes are not simple with complex mechanisms. The process itself doesn't always work and I think you have to use inner dialogue. I mean insight into myself. Surely it helps to write primal fears on paper and to certain processes after many years a person matures or some things change. It definitely cleans itself of somatics and body codes. I do not know if it accelerates development - probably not, but it helps with elements in clearing old codes in the brain, eliminating, for example, intrusion or rumination and reprograms the mind with more up-to-date knowledge of how a person does it. Also good is subjective relaxation music or, for example, ZEN techniques. Sometimes elements of hypnosis. It depends on how susceptible the brain is to the suggestion. It is individualized. Thanks to video.

[@ginaderamo7110]

Hi Barbara... how often should one do EMDR session ?

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi Gina: That totally depends on what the person is working on and their history and life situation. EMDR is a complete therapy - it is not just the active processing piece with the light bar or tappers. It can be a shorter form of therapy than regular therapy if the target is very specific.

[@rutabaga387]

Do you recommend EMDR to be done in person if you experience seizure like panic attacks, i’m considering doing it because my therapist recommended it for me and it looks like it be really helpful but I’m also scared of injuring myself from having an attack alone because I have convulsions occasionally go on conscious things like that and I can’t really go in person where I live with Covid going on so should I wait till after Covid restrictions cool down or should I just have someone else in the room with me while I’m doing an online session I can’t really decide.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi: I can't possibly provide you advice on this. It may be useful to review with your therapist. Wishing you all the best,

[@astoewer06]

My therapist is having me tap my shoulders

[@chrissyschoger6074]

What if you cannot remember the trauma?

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Often not remembering trauma falls into Complex PTSD. EMDR Therapists experienced with dissociation can often help people even if the trauma is not remembered consciously.

[@franciscoguevara9727]

i dont see the link for free guided visualitzation

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

oh dear! Thank you for letting me know. Recently changed my notes... the free "mini-course" is now on KZbin. Start here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/emOniX-crb-Jodk

[@Eden-vb4qr]

does medication hinder progress with EMDR?

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi: Great question and the answer, of course, is not simple. I found benzodiazepines hinder EMDR and therapy, and there is research to back this. Most of the others, no -as long as the dose isn't so high the person feels numb.....

[@wilsmith6551]

Isnt the fundamental purpose of EMDR is to process/fee/release suppressed feelings?

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi Wil: EMDR can definitely help with suppressed feelings. I don't really use that language in my videos to date (maybe I will add that to the list!). EMDR was initially designed to help with PTSD, directly related to traumas that the person remembered, and the feelings were full blown, not repressed. However, it definitely deals with the triggering of prior traumas and triggering of "old emotions," repressed or not. Then EMDR began to be used with complex trauma, were a lot of memories are repressed, as well as the feelings that go with them. Does that make sense?

[@wilsmith6551]

@@BarbaraHeffernan Yes, and thanks for the answer. But what about abusive childhoods where the incidents were many but so very similar they blend together? How can one discern those memories if they all look alike? My angle is that the feelings dont lie, and they are still there "attached" to those past incidents and once the feeling has been felt or processed those memories have no more power or energy to keep driving them.....Just one opinion.....Thanks

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

@@wilsmith6551 Absolutely! I totally agree. I need to make this more clear in future videos. I address it a little bit in the video EMDR for Complex Trauma, although there I am focusing more on the controversy about whether EMDR can help in those situations or not. If you've watched that one, let me know what you think. I do need to move more into ongoing childhood trauma/abuse in these videos...

[@wilsmith6551]

@@BarbaraHeffernan Hi ,and again I love your videos,,,,I just watched your video on Complex Trauma. Let me tell you about my experiences. I have dealt with intense emotional issues for the past 35 years. I have done everything; from Tony Robbins, to various medications, multiple talk therapy sessions over the years,hypnosis, EFT, TAT, PSTEC sound therapy, Dianetics, The Work, The Emotion Code, and for the last 7 years mainly the Sedona Method with the a mix of the earlier. A friend out of the blue( 5 weeks ago) told me about EMDR. So I started my intense research. I could not believe what I found. I found a long stream of absolute success stories for some of the most horrible situations. ( I am a veteran and understand PTSD for the military-even though I have no service related PTSD)... I looked for an EMDR therapists and 1) no one would call me back or 2) they were not taking patients. So I looked at a lot of EMDR you tube videos and decided to give it a try based on what I saw. I had an incident from about 23 years ago, that I thought was gone- it came back about 3 years ago with raging anxiety and guilt. So I decided to make this my test case. I did a 3 minute EMDR video on my issue and then followed it up with a 9 minute EMDR video. While doing the EMDR video I focused on my feelings, and a few thoughts that were attached but mostly the feelings. I did not sleep well that night. and the next day I felt melancholy and my whole body physically ached as if I had been in terrible car crash. But I knew for sure that something was released surronding that issue. The 2nd day after I did the EMDR exercise, the incident had ZERO emotional charge nothing!. Gone! Something that had haunted me so intensley for the past 3 years was cured.

[@wilsmith6551]

To finish the story; I have never seen anything work like this. SO fast and so absolute. Complete healing....To say I am stunned is beyond an understatement. I see a true light at the end of the tunnel. I see freedom for EVERY issue that is holding me back. EMDR is it. I watched your video on Complex Trauma and I dont think its as tough as you might think. Again this is just my opinion and in no way would I think of usurping what you are doing...But those Childhood complex traumas come from survival based drive and survival based feelings. There are just more layers to the sandwich. I will have another comment on CT. Thanks for what you are doing!!!

[@siwrudolfsen3580]

Could 8V music and headphones be used for self administrated EMDR?

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

I’m not sure. The audio I use would alternate a tone in one ear and then the other. The separate bilateral stimulation is important

[@ryarya3291]

is it effective for OCD and GAD???

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

I believe EMDR is very effective for GAD. It can also help with OCD, though that is a bit more complicated.

[@paulasynjohnson]

Can EMDR work for CPTSD?

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi: I address this in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKbbfqCJjsqUa7c

[@paulasynjohnson]

@@BarbaraHeffernan Sorry for the late reply. Thanks for the link. I'm a little confused about whether I have CPTSD or something else that I'd rather not think about. What else can 20 years of bulling during school and college lead to?

[@ShareseVHatch]

Can this work if you are deaf in one ear?

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Yes. Bilateral stimulation does not need to incorporate hearing. I mainly used either the light bar or tappers.

[@ShareseVHatch]

@@BarbaraHeffernan Thank you so much 💖

[@johnscott7386]

What about brainspotting

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Yes, brainspotting is very interesting. It developed as an EMDR technique for when people get stuck and loop. Having them focus their eyes in different ways changes how upsetting something is. Very interesting stuff! Have you tried it?

[@johnscott7386]

Barbara Heffernan haven’t tried it but want to try due to fear and anxiety that I know it linked to trauma

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

@@johnscott7386 I highly recommend EMDR. If you live near someone who is trained in EMDR and brainspotting, that would be best!

[@johnscott7386]

Barbara Heffernan EMDR is for fear too? It’s more of the reactions I have to normal situations that I know has a trauma link

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

@@johnscott7386 EMDR works very well for anxiety and fear, panic attacks, various responses that have trauma links. It has also worked super well for people who have panic attacks and anxiety who don't remember any trauma, so it is definitely not only for trauma - hope that makes sense.

[@CaptainRScott]

Can EMDR help you forget decentralize happy experiences?

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi: EMDR doesn't actually cause you to forget any memories. It desensitizes the ones you work on. I've never heard of it impacting people's happy memories!

[@katherinelydon7306]

It’s helpful but is limited.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Glad it was helpful. Yes, it is hard to cover this topic in a short KZbin video!

[@scottroberts5492]

Hmm Just play a video game?

[@sharonpeterson6993]

H

[@alondraacosta-mora6504]

I honestly just started today EMDR. I have not gone deeper of course because it was my first session, however i am a little concern. Like seems the therapist does not ask me many questions related to the event. It makes me feel like how this is gonna work???? Like i am super worried to spend tons of money for nothing. :( I wonder if this is a type of placebo or also if it just works for a period. I will have to go through this to realize if this work. Today I created “my safe place” I will have to let you know guys what happens.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Hi: Yes, let us know! I always appreciate it when clients ask me about the process or let me know a concern - as I'm not a mind reader (lol). EMDR does not require people to go into lots of detail about the events out loud to the therapist - which can actually be helpful for some people. However, I hope your therapist is open to hearing what you'd like to share about it and I encourage you to let her know your thoughts and feelings about the process and the content. Wishing you the best,

[@alondraacosta-mora6504]

Barbara Heffernan Thank you so much! I will let her know that then! thanks

[@eversolehome4062]

Helpful Thank you!

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

So pleased it was helpful, and thanks for letting me know!

[@davidweibert5418]

Helpful

[@brettneuberger6466]

Super helpful. Thanks!

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

So glad it was helpful!

[@sheribald4238]

Very helpful!!

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Great!

[@cynthianewell5746]

Very helpful

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Glad to hear that it was helpful. Wishing you the best!