EMDR and Trauma Therapy
EMDR can be used to address a range of issues. Clients I've worked with have enjoyed success with EMDR for personal growth or desensitizing trauma whether "big T" or "little t" trauma, including:
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childhood or past trauma
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grief
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anxiety
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mass trauma
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performance enhancement
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phobias
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pain
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recent events trauma
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war trauma
What Is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is an integrative psychotherapy recognized as an effective trauma treatment and recommended worldwide in the practice guidelines of both domestic and international organizations.
Twenty positive controlled outcome studies have been done on EMDR.
The approach uses dual attention to desensitize traumatic or otherwise distressing memories causing present day symptoms. Developed by Francine Shapiro over 20 years ago, EMDR is based on an information-processing model where distressing events are stored or even frozen in memory and can be triggered or reactivated by stimuli similar to the original event. We may or may not be conscious of the image, sound, emotion, negative belief or relational cue that triggers us back into a distressed state. EMDR reprocesses and integrates difficult experiences enabling us to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress caused by earlier events.
You Can Enjoy Relationships and Feel Good Inside
EMDR Special Protocols
Some of the special EMDR protocol that I use include:
Early Trauma- I have special training in the Early Trauma Protocol developed Sandra Paulsen, PhD and Katie O'Shea, LCPC. The Early Trauma Protocol makes EMDR effective for implicit memories from early development that predate explicit memory, cognitive and language development.
Addictions- I use the Feeling State Addictions Protocol FSAP developed by Robert Miller, PhD to disrupt associations that originally created unhealthy connections with the addictive substance or behavior. When these associations are disrupted our brain no longer tells us that the addiction will lead to the desired feeling state. This works with any addiction including sexual, internet, gambling and substance use.
Developmental Needs Meeting- I use various tools to help people to meet needs that may not have been supported enough while growing up.
My approach is gentle, collaborative and goal-focused.
We start by developing resources to support you in the EMDR therapy in a way that you were not supported during the original trauma. I liken this to learning how to stop or brake when first learning to ride a bike or ski. This time you have a pause or slow down button to determine the level of intensity that you can comforably manage.
It is normal to have mixed feelings about reprocessing the trauma and we work together to integrate those parts of you that may be hesitant, protective with those that want to heal and grow. Have you ever had the feeling of having one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake in the change process? Working with parts helps for a smooth ride in the trauma therapy process.
I help you integrate hurt, protective and distracting parts of yourself to work together toward common goals for keeping you safe and getting your needs met.
Christine Marr, MA, LMFT
DC Holistic Psychotherapy
Offering Virtual Appointments
Formerly located at
4601 Connecticut Ave. #20
Washington, DC 20008
Call 917-547-4173
