Ross Cohen, Licensed Professional Counselor
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Ross Cohen
New Publication: Core Focused Family Therapy

Counseling Techniques

Trauma Healing

EMDR

EMDR, which is short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a remarkably effective therapy approach used to overcome the emotionally painful effects of trauma and a wide range of other emotional conditions.

"EMDR is the most revolutionary, important method to emerge in psychotherapy in decades."
- Herbert Fensterheim, Ph.D., Cornell University

When emotionally disturbing events have occurred in your life, the brain is often unable to process the experience as it normally would. Instead, the negative thoughts and feelings of the traumatic event can get "trapped" in the nervous system, with all of the accompanying sights, sounds, thoughts, and feelings. EMDR utilizes bilateral stimulation - either through eye movements or other forms of gentle, rhythmic stimulation - which activate both sides of the brain, allowing for a release of painful emotional experiences from your nervous system.

"EMDR is proving to be the silicon chip of psychotherapy; it allows people to process incredible amounts of material in a shockingly short time."
- Michael Elkin,Ph.D.
Director, Center for Collaborative Solutions

Studies consistently indicate that EMDR therapy is very effective in helping you process emotionally painful and traumatic experiences. In fact, extensive scientific research has shown that EMDR is the most effective and rapid method for healing PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Research studies and clinical evidence indicate a high degree of effectiveness with other conditions as well, including anxiety and depression, fears and phobias, addictions and panic attacks, physical and sexual abuse, accidents and injuries, grief and loss, sleeplessness and excessive worries, childhood trauma and low self-esteem, as well as relationship problems. EMDR is very effective for overcoming dental fear, anxiety, and phobia.

"A study comparing the effectiveness of Prozac vs. EMDR showed that EMDR was more successful than Prozac in achieving substantial and sustained reductions in anxiety and depression."
- The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, January 2007

EMDR therapy is not only very effective, but efficient as well. Processing even the most difficult memories can be achieved in a fraction of the time it would have taken with traditional talk therapy. EMDR is very effective for enhancing skills and resources, such as confidence, relaxation, focus, and motivation. EMDR is also widely used to help people improve certain aspects of their life (known as "performance optimization"), such as public speaking; various types of competition; or academic, athletic, work, and stage performance.

"The speed at which change occurs during EMDR contradicts the traditional notion of time as essential for psychological healing."
- Bessel A. van der Kolk, MD
Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine

For more information about EMDR, please click the following links:

Feel free to call me today at (503) 887-3309 or email me to book a counseling session or to set up a FREE 30-minute consultation.

Office located in Portland, Oregon. Serving the Portland metro area, including Beaverton, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Tigard, West Linn, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Tualatin, Gresham, and Vancouver, WA.

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