What does EMDR stand for?

I have a new therapist. Not because my former therapist didn't do it for me, but because that therapist discontinued her practice. Gee, was it something I said?

This new therapist, I like her too. A few weeks ago she introduced the idea of doing EMDR with me. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy.

She explained it as mimicking REM sleep, when your mind wanders more freely - but you're awake. She'll wave her hand in front of my eyes for me to follow, but, it's not hypnosis at all. Some therapists may use tapping or some hand-held buzzing devices. A former therapist from a few years back had me hold buzzers in my hands that buzzed alternately and got me talking more. But it wasn't formal EMDR.

EMDR is used successfully by the Department of Defense for veterans dealing with PTSD. While my anxiety and driving phobia aren't anywhere near the trauma of being at war, they can be "cured" using EMDR.

I'm hopeful, but a little scared of what might come out of the therapy. There are things I want to stop talking about, I feel like I've beaten those things to death. And there are other things that I'm sure have been hidden that will bubble to the surface.

New therapist told me that she worked with a guy who was deathly afraid of flying, much the way I am afraid of driving on a highway. And the therapy "fixed" the phobia. This possibility gives me goosebumps.

I'll do it, for the promise of regaining my freedom and getting over my intense driving fear. The anxiety has had to go somewhere, and this is where it went. Now, another attempt to get at the root of the anxiety.

I start tonight, and I'll report back.

Comments

[Lurker Girl]

Sounds promising!