The Breakthrough Therapy for Overcoming Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is now recognized as one of the most effective treatment modalities for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction, and beyond. EMDR For Dummies is a user-friendly guide for patients who need an introduction to what this type of therapy can do for them—hint: it can help a lot. You’ll learn about the symptoms that EMDR can treat, and you’ll have a chance to assess yourself to determine whether it might be a good fit for you. Explore the different types of EMDR interventions, what to expect during and after treatment, and the phases of therapy. Most of all, find out why everyone’s talking about EMDR.
- Learn what EMDR is, why it’s effective, and what issues it can treat
- Gain a step-by-step understanding of the process and types of EMDR therapy
- Move your personal healing journey forward by overcoming past negative experiences
- Work through the most difficult challenges that patients and clinicians face during EMDR therapy
This easy-to-follow Dummies guide is a great resource for patients and loved ones looking for information on EMDR, as well as mental and behavioral health professionals seeking a guide to using EMDR.
Introduction 1
Part 1: Getting Started with EMDR 5
Chapter 1: Trauma Is Real and EMDR Can Help 7
Chapter 2: Getting to Know Your Brain on Trauma 15
Chapter 3: Understanding EMDR 25
Chapter 4: The Dos and Donts of EMDR 35
Chapter 5: Your History in a Nutshell 45
Chapter 6: Getting to Know Bilateral Stimulation 55
Part 2: Utilizing EMDR Basic Preparation Skills 69
Chapter 7: Building a Sense of Calm 71
Chapter 8: Creating Ways to Contain Your Emotions 81
Chapter 9: Finding Your Internal Supports 97
Part 3: The Clinicians Guide to Desensitizing and Reprocessing 109
Chapter 10: Identifying the Focus of an EMDR Session 111
Chapter 11: Where the Magic Happens: Embracing Discovery and Change 125
Chapter 12: Getting Past Blocks and Setbacks 139
Chapter 13: Working with Incomplete Processing 151
Chapter 14: Using Restricted Processing for Acute Stress 161
Part 4: Addressing Trauma Fragmentation and Working with Your Inner Parts
173
Chapter 15: Understanding Fragmentation within Trauma 175
Chapter 16: Befriending Your Inner Parts 185
Chapter 17: Working with Childlike Parts 201
Chapter 18: Softening the Inner Protectors 213
Chapter 19: Discovering Your Authentic Self 223
Part 5: Targeting Specific Individual Struggles 233
Chapter 20: Using Affect Tolerance to Manage Physical Symptoms of Distress
235
Chapter 21: Addictive and Compulsive Disorders 249
Chapter 22: Sleep Disturbances and Nightmares 263
Part 6: The Part of Tens 273
Chapter 23: Ten Cool Things You Can Do with EMDR 275
Chapter 24: Ten Myths about Trauma 281
Index 287
Megan Salar, MSW, is a Certified EMDR clinician/trainer. Her trainings have helped thousands of clinicians across the US and abroad get the most out of EMDR. Megan is the author of EMDR Workbook for Trauma and PTSD. She currently owns and operates her own coaching, consulting and training business.
