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Event Occurs

Brain tries to make sense of the event

Brain analyzes whether this information is important and needs to stay relevant in the short-term memory bank....

 

or get processed into the long-term memory bank

Brain adaptively stores information in the long-term memory bank since it is no longer relevant or helpful to recall day-to-day...

 

This leaves space in the short-term memory bank for more important information.

HOW MEMORIES ARE FORMED

Upsetting Event Occurs

Brain tries to make sense of the event...

and scans for previous memories that evoke the same thoughts or feelings

Rather than transfer the memory into your long-term memory bank...

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your brain goes into survival mode

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and keeps the memory "fresh" in the short-term memory bank,

just in case you need the information in the future.

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Your brain is trying to help you by storing all the body sensations, emotions and thoughts that occurred with the original event.

Your brain maladaptively keeps information in the short-term memory bank...

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which means that day-to-day triggers...

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whether it is an interaction with a person, a smell, a place, someone's facial expression...

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will "light up" memories from the past traumatic experience

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and your body and brain will be convinced the old experience is happening again.

TRAUMA MEMORIES ARE DIFFERENT

Upsetting Event Occurs

OR

Mulitple Upsetting Events Occur

Brain keeps all the experiences in the short-term memory bank,

leading to anxiety, depression, critical self-talk, etc

Your therapist will ask you to bring up the old experience (or one memory that represents a theme or cluster of memories)...

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along with all the negative beliefs, body sensations and emotions associated with the experience... 

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and you'll be asked to "hold" the entire experience while the therapists provides a technique called bilateral stimulation--

 back-and-forth movements that stimulate your brain in a way that helps to process the experience and make more positive neural connections.

This type of exposure in a safe, calm setting, will help your brain reorganize these memories so that they get digested into your long-term memory bank, where they belong!

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Your brain organically realizes

"I'm not back there" and

"it's not happening now"

so that things that used to remind you of that upsetting experience become neutral and more easily tolerated.

HOW EMDR WORKS

EMDR Intensives might be right for you if...

Perhaps you've been in therapy for a while, or have tried working with different therapists, but still feel stuck

Your journey to healing starts here

Perhaps you know what you need to change, but have difficulty with putting action into resolving the problem

Your journey to healing starts here

Intensives are suitable for clients who:

  • have been in therapy in the past and may have addressed traumatic memories but still feel as though their mind and body are unable to fully heal from their wounds;

  • are ready to "dive in" to trauma processing;

  • have adequate resources outside of therapy, such as adequate time before to prep and after sessions to continue to process what was brought up in the session, as well as a list of go-to grounding techniques to use in between sessions.

Your journey to healing starts here

short-term vs Intensive emdr.png

EMDR THERAPY

Eye-Movement Desensitzation and Reprocessing

Research-Based

 EMDR is grounded in neuroscience and based on research about how trauma effects the brain.

Holistic Healing

You'll not only (cognitively) know you are good, loved, and safe, but you'll feel it in your core and body.

Research-Based

Effective for Traumatic Memories: Helps particularly upsetting memories become "unstuck."

Rapid and Lasting Results

​​Most people experience faster, more effective, and longer-lasting outcomes.

The EMDR Approach

EMDR stands for Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy. The premise of the theory is that if you focus your attention on movement that goes from Left - Right ("bilateral") while thinking about an upsetting memory, it lessens (desensitizes) the overall intensity of the memory, including any images, beliefs, emotions and body sensations associated with the memory. EMDR allows us to access the painful past while we remain safe in the present moment. EMDR is non-invasive and is different from traditional talk therapies. In fact, healing occurs when you naturally allow emotions and body sensations to come up as we reflect on them without judgment. We will approach your memories from a stance of curiosity and compassion to create lasting change.

About Us

Skyline Mental Health is here to offer supportive trauma and EMDR therapy in Charlottesville, VA and anywhere in Virginia virtually. Our goal is to help you navigate your past experiences and discover the inner strength you may not realize you possess. Let’s take this journey together!

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