
EMDR Trauma Therapy
Matthew Nordin, LICSW
I am a trauma-informed therapist who's undergone extensive training in EMDR. I have been using it with my clients since 2019.
Sometimes we feel guilty when we have a strong reaction to a personal trauma. Many people mistakenly believe that only soldiers, police officers, and firefighters experience "real" trauma. And it's true. They are exposed to a lot of trauma. I treat first responders and journalists in my practice and hear their stories.
But because we humans are wired to be social, it doesn't take a devastating wildfire to traumatize us. A viscous word in an argument with your partner can sting a lot. It may even rise to the level of what we call a "little-t" trauma.
Now imagine an unexpected breakup or divorce. This can feel like a death. And you may experience it as a "Big-T" trauma.
Add to this list of possible traumas in everyday life:
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A fender bender: Even if no one was hurt, your brain felt you were in danger
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Getting in trouble at work: Even if your job is secure, you may not feel like it on the inside
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Going home for the holidays: Suddenly all those issues you thought were buried deep fling to the surface as family members trigger you
Thank goodness then for Francine Shapiro's discovery. In 1987, while walking through a park in the Bay Area, she noticed her eyes moving back and forth while she was thinking about something distressing. She also noticed she felt better.
"I noticed that some disturbing thoughts I was having suddenly disappeared," Dr. Shapiro said. "I also noticed that when I brought these thoughts back to mind, they were not as upsetting or as valid as before."
According to mental health professionals who were around at the time, whom I've heard speak, Dr. Shapiro then began asking peers if they would experiment on themselves using the eye movements. They found it worked. And then they began doing controlled studies on it and publishing their results in academic journals.
Today, the Veterans Administration, World Health Organization, and the UK's National Health Service all recommend EMDR to treat trauma. Many EMDR practitioners find that their clients feel better faster using the eye movement technique, formally known as bilateral stimulation.
I've noticed EMDR helps my clients return to work and begin socializing out in the world again within weeks, rather than months or years. And most importantly, they aren't haunted by the "little-t" and "Big-T" traumas they've endured.
I should also point-out that EMDR isn't just for people with PTSD or a similar trauma-related disorder. We can use EMDR to treat:
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Anxiety Disorders
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Depression
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Eating Disorders
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OCD
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And more
If you'd like to schedule a free consult, we can talk about your specific situation and whether EMDR might benefit you.
