What Is EMDR Therapy? Does It work?

EMDR therapy stand for Eye Movement Desensizitation Reprocessing and was developed in the 1980s by Francine Shapiro. EMDR works to desensitize traumatic memories by using eye movements of bilateral stimulation (bilateral tappers, alternate sounds/tones). The EMDR institute has a very thorough description of EMDR on their website: https://www.emdr.com/frequent-questions/

In my practice, I have used EMDR to treat posttraumatic stress as well as anxiety caused by attachment trauma. In my experience, the methodology of EMDR has been a very useful and powerful adjunct to treatment, and has allowed clients to move through and resolve the mental and physiological stress from trauma that has not moved or become stuck with talk therapy. However, this being said, there is a huge relational component to EMDR that allows for clients to benefit from and deepen their processing with EMDR.

Without this relational component, EMDR is limited, as there exists insufficient trust in the therapeutic relationship for the difficult but powerful emotional processing of EMDR to take place. When an individual has suffered from wounds in their primary attachment relationships as children, or have endured physical, emotional, or sexual trauma, they often operate from a worldview that is skewed or disrupted. Using the therapeutic relationship as a place for clients to experience a new type of relationship: to feel safe in expressing fears, discomforts, and disappointments directly with someone who can meet them and engage in an honest dialogue, is the first step in the healing process. It is in my experience that clients can then develop the grounding skills and emotional strength to move through their traumatic memories with EMDR.

Orthorexia – What Is It? Why Is It Concerning?

Many people in today’s society have likely heard or participated in behaviors surrounding health and fitness. However, a fixation on health, fitness, and restrictive or “clean eating” is a significant problem in our society today. It often leads to disordered eating. It is almost impossible to avoid some exposure to ideas and themes in today’s media, social media, and exercise studios around dieting and exercise. Terms such as: “clean eating,” a “whole foods” approach to dieting, diets like the Paleo diet, 30 days, 50 days, or 100 days of “real food” cookbooks. The culture and recipes have become so commonplace that many of us do not even fully understand the definition of this type of eating or what “clean eating” really is — let alone the negative consequences ensued by the bombardment of these themes.

We see hashtages littered over social media such as: #cleaneating #bodybuilding #eatclean #shredded #nutrition #supplements #lifting #gym #gymlife #fitspo #fitlifestyle

Seems Innocent Enough, But Can It Be A Bad Thing?

Many individuals develop an array of symptoms that we as clinicians and mental health practitioners call Orthorexia. Orthorexia is a term coined by Steven Bratman, MD in 1996, who started to use this term with patients that were obsessed with their health. Although the current diagnostic manual (the DSM-5), does not recognize this as a stand alone disorder, those who suffer from Orthorexia are similarly impacted as those are from Anorexia Nervosa. Instead of being focused on calories and weight loss, Orthorexia often starts with individuals being consumed by diet and exercise, and consuming only “healthy” foods. Eventually, food choices become so restrictive in both variety and calories they can lead to significant weight loss. Orthorexia can result in various medical conditions too, including cardiac complications and bone loss. Often, those obsessed with health and fitness can slowly rid their lives of balance and social connection, which impairs relationships and physical health. Individuals feel a sense of shame, depression, and self-loathing when they fail to meet the demands of “clean eating,” which contributes to less overall satisfaction of life.

Over the years in my practice, I have seen the focus of “health and fitness” change from one theme to another, leaving patients more restrictive, sad, and ashamed. Documentaries such as: Forks Over Knives and Fed Up, have only succeeded in fueling the focus on diet and restrictive food choices that lead to potential disordered eating.

One common theme I encounter in my practice is that clients struggle with coming to terms that they truly have a disorder or problem. The conflict arises from the fact “clean eating,” fad diets, fitness, and exercise is not only endorsed, but praised by our society.

My goal and belief as a clinician is one of balance.

By restoring and relearning how to trust our bodies to know what they need clients can achieve an inner peace that decreases the need for obsessive dieting, exercise, and a focus on body image. If someone you know is suffering from what you believe may be disordered eating or an eating disorder, please visit: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/find-help-support for more information.

Certified Versus Non Certified in EMDR

There are differences between an EMDR trained therapist and a therapist who is certified in EMDR. Any therapist with the proper training can technically practice EMDR, however a certified EMDR therapist has been extensively supervised and received advanced training in the practice of EMDR through seminars, lectures, and supervised therapy sessions.

So why is this important information to know when you are looking to start EMDR with a trained therapist? EMDR is a highly effective treatment modality for PTSD and trauma – in the hands of the right clinician.

There have been numerous research studies outlining the effectiveness of EMDR in the treatment of PTSD. However, it is important to work with a highly trained and ethical clinician who is able to support you in this emotional process. EMDR certification ensures that the therapist or clinician using EMDR has demonstrated additional competency and has completed a higher level of training in their specialty.

For additional information on EMDR and certification requirements, please visit: www.emdria.org

How Therapy Can Benefit College Students

College is a wonderful time, filled with both exciting and challenging experiences. Students prepare for college throughout high school, and the dream of college life often doesn’t include all of the difficult transitions inherent in this profound and life changing experience. Read More…

How to Tell If Your Loved One Has an Eating Disorder

Eating disorder symptoms and presentations vary from individual to individual, among age groups and gender, and may present differently depending on the type of eating disorder that your loved one may have. Keep in mind that these are general behaviors to look for, and that there may be other causes for significant weight loss. Always encourage your loved one to check with a medical professional so that any dangerous medical conditions can be ruled out. In addition, the onset and progression of eating disorders can present in various ways. I have broken up these signs and symptoms into somewhat general categories. Read More…

My Qualifications

  • • Licensed MFT
  • • MFC #47955
  • • Certified Eating Disorder Specialist
  • • Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Supervisor
  • • Certified EMDR Therapist
  • • Tri Lingual Capabilities
  • • 15+ Years of Experience
  • • Professional Associations:

  • Professional Associations
     

    My Office / Location

    219 N. Indian Hill Blvd. Suite 201
    Claremont CA 91711
    Phone: (562) 281-7752