EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This therapy is highly researched and effective for treating a variety of concerns including trauma, anxiety, negative self beliefs, performance anxiety, unhealthy patterns, recurring thoughts or memories, and addiction behaviors.

EMDR targets the way our brain processes and stores information. When we have distressing events happen to us, even small ones, our brain stores this information in a similarly distressing way and we tend to relive the event and/or create negative beliefs about ourselves based on that event. EMDR helps to "store" that information appropriately so as not to cause as much distress. EMDR aims to help our brains not confuse past events with present experiences.

Alisa Noleen is also trained in several specialized protocols of EMDR including:

 

Early Trauma -

An EMDR protocol used to focus and address Implicit Memories (those memories that are not explicit, conscious or easily recalled) and traumas that have occurred in early childhood.

 

EMDR with Parts work/ Ego states -

One of my favorite tools to use because it gives the opportunity to work through the internal conflicts we have within ourselves and to unburden ourselves. The end goal can include tending to our wounded parts so they can be seen and heard, allowing the Self to step forward in a role of witnessing our hurts and moving towards healing. 


R-TEP -

An EMDR protocol which is effective at targeting recent traumas (within 3 months). This specialized area of EMDR can be utilized directly after a traumatic incident, sometimes before symptoms even set in or as a preventative measure. This modified protocol of traditional EMDR can be a shorter duration and can be applied on consecutive days.

Headache Protocol -

This protocol has been shown to reduce the severity of headaches and to address the triggers of a headache.

Flash Technique -

Sometimes, people report that EMDR can be intense and painful; Flash technique was developed in response to that. This is an EMDR protocol that is used during the preparation phase of EMDR as a rapid and relatively painless way of reducing the intensity of extremely disturbing memories so that they can be easily processed in the remaining phases of standard EMDR treatment.