Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR)
What is EMDR?
EMDR is an integrated psychotherapy treatment that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of our previous life experiences. EMDR incorporates mind, brain and body connection that supports individuals to live a more adaptive life. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. By working with an EMDR trained clinician, an individual can be supported to reactivate these innate natural healing processes. For more information on EMDR and the Eight Phases of treatment, check out this website.
What is my body telling me?
An EMDR therapist will explore the day to day challenges an individual may be experiencing, to understand the coping mechanisms they have learned to survive. For example:
Core beliefs and thought patterns, such as “I am not good enough”, “I am not worthy”, “It was my fault”, “I have to be perfect” or “I am not safe”)
Coping behaviours, such as overworking, perfectionism, procrastination, over-exercising, alcohol and drug use or self-harm.
Re-experiencing symptoms such as flashbacks, recurring dreams, and intrusive thoughts or images
These everyday experiences are explored without judgement, to understand previous life experiences that may have contributed to these coping skills.
Check out this EMDR client information handout for more information:
“The past affects the present even without our being aware of it.”
- Francine Shapiro
EMDR Books Library
Every Memory Deserve Respect - By Deborah Korn and Michael Baldwin
EMDR - By Francine Shapiro and Margot Forrest
Getting Past Your Past - By Francine Shapiro
How can I access EMDR?
Hayley Bowers is an occupational therapist who is trained in trauma-informed yoga training and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), and draws upon these skills as a part of her therapeutic approach. Hayley work’s with adults and teenagers. Hayley practices out of a clinic in Currumbin on Tuesday’s and Byron Bay on Friday’s. Hayley also services nationally via Telehealth. To enquire about Hayley’s services and waitlist, please contact Hayley using the contact form or button below.