Are you ready to break free from the chains of trauma and embark on a journey of healing? Look no further than EMDR therapy, a transformative treatment that has been changing lives in Vancouver, BC.
In a nutshell, finding a qualified EMDR therapist near you is crucial for ensuring you receive the best care possible. But you already know that. So this article will guide you through the steps to find an ideal match in the Surrey area, where Grigore Counselling offers advanced EMDR therapy.
EMDR enthusiasts, brace yourselves! Ever pondered the buzz around EMDR intensives? Curious to know if the hype is backed by real effectiveness? Well, hold onto your curiosity hats because we’ve got a treat for you. Step into the enlightening realm of ‘Let’s Talk EMDR,’ the captivating podcast powered by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) hosted by Kim Howard.
In a recent episode, the spotlight was on none other than Robert A. Grigore, a certified EMDR therapist and consultant. The topic of discussion? EMDR therapy intensives—the subject that can be a game-changer. As someone who had the chance to learn from this podcast, I’m excited to share my insights with you. Get ready to uncover the truth straight from the master himself as we navigate through a conversation that unveils the secrets and insights behind the curtain.
Robert’s journey is certainly not what you may be expecting (He was not born with the love for EMDR like every other therapist says). His journey started off as a talk therapist, but after spending as long as almost 3 years on a client and still not getting the results was when he thought to himself that something was off. Then somehow, he learned about EMDR and started taking professional training for it.
And no, this was not a love-at-first-sight kind of situation. Just like many of you, Grigore also thought to himself that EMDR was a ridiculous invention and that just tapping was not going to help anyone. It was actually when someone like you and me, one from his clients, saw a huge shift in their mindset. In just 3 EMDR sessions, his client went from the mindset of killing his abuser to having a civil conversation with him. That’s huge, and that’s exactly what Robert felt. Now, let’s get to the main discussion where Robert and Kim discussed the EMDR intensives.
Our therapist talks about “two levers” to be pulled regarding EMDR intensives. First, is the “duration lever,” meaning how long the session is. With an EMDR intensive, the duration may be quite a bit longer than the average session, which is typically 50-60 minutes. Robert’s EMDR intensive sessions range from anything between 2 to 6 hours. The second “lever” to be pulled is the “frequency lever,” meaning how many times per week are you seen by your therapist? Pulling one lever or the other dramatically increases speed, but pulling both levers supercharges the results according to Robert. But is going this far, this intensive, really worth it? Hear it from Robert!
According to Robert, 37 out of his 39 EMDR-intensive clients saw a tremendous change in their lives. He also shared the experience of his client Mike who served as a successful financial consultant for decades until COVID happened, and he lost a bunch of businesses all at once.
After almost 17 hours of frequent 1.5-hour sessions, Mike went from having suicidal thoughts to living life to the fullest again and running a non-profit organization. Of course, the details are missing here, and the process must have so much more to it, but what we do know from this is that EMDR intensives are effective.
Robert busted two myths about EMDR intensives for his audience:
To support what he was saying, Robert quoted a study conducted by Mendez et al., 2018, who used a modified approach of a previous study and conducted 5-day intensive EMDR therapy on 12 patients.
All patients received 90-minute-long sessions twice daily, and at the end of the study, significantly reduced their symptoms. The intensives are not harmful, but anyone performing the intensives might be harmful because not every therapist or clinician is trained enough to take a client through 2-6 hours sessions a day, 3-5 days in a row. So, the right kind of knowledge, training, and clinical experience is very important to get the right results.
Robert believes that we have a long way to go before we overcome cultural differences and people become more aware of the benefits of EMDR therapy. For this purpose, he has been working with his colleagues to put together some cultural training to shift perspectives. He also shared his favorite free resources for you all to utilize and get help from. Sign up for his free eBook “You Need Therapy. EMDR: Real People With Real Problems Getting Real Help” here. Or grab the physical copy on Amazon.ca or Amazon.com.
All in all, our host and guest reached the conclusion that not every therapy is for everyone. But Robert says that the quick turnaround time of intensive EMDR therapy is a favourite aspect that he and over 40 clients (at the time of the podcast) have similar feelings about. With this accelerated approach to therapy, clients no longer have to wait for years or even months for results. And Robert’s anecdotal evidence seems to mirror the research, indicating the low drop out rates for clients when undergoing intensive EMDR therapy (meaning, most who start the treatment end up completing it because it’s so short).
All in all, EMDR is an excellent approach for anyone looking to overcome past traumas, insecurities, and fears. But EMDR intensives seem to take it to the next level. You can listen to the complete podcast here. Take control of who you want to be and how you want to live your life.
The National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) has cited EMDR as an evidence-based practice for the treatment of PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and depression (SAMHSA’s NREPP, 2011). At the same time, EFT is also a treatment widely supported by evidence, as per a paper published after comparing the results of 23 randomized control trials (Dawson Church, 2013). And so the debate of EMDR Vs. EFT arises. This has been a long overdue debate, but I wanted to spend my sweet time comparing both before I took any side. And now I’m here with the results to help you figure out your side.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Technique, summarized as EMDR, is a technique used by certified therapists and psychologists to target past events that trigger disturbances. It typically uses eye movements to help process and heal from trauma. 7 out of 10 studies have supported EMDR therapy as more rapid-acting and more effective than trauma-focused therapy (Perm J. et al., 2014). But how? Today, let me tell you about the science behind EMDR and how it actually works.
Neuroscientists are of the opinion that EMDR is similar to REM sleep (dream). Your therapist will ask you to move your eyes from side to side while you focus on a traumatic memory or emotion. This is similar to the movement of the eyes during dreaming. EMDR slows down your overstimulated amygdala, which is a small part of your brain and your emotion’s major processing center.
Your brain waves now synchronize in a way that the stuck traumatic memories are reactivated and repeated until they become unstuck and less traumatic memories. Also, I see that many people are curious as to if they’ll cry during their session.
Honestly, this varies from person to person. I’ve seen people cry their hearts out during the session, but it’s certainly not because the process is painful. People cry both out of sadness and relief, but it’s helpful either way as you get to release the emotional stress.
Another intriguing aspect of EMDR is its connection to neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. Several studies have suggested that EMDR’s eye movement component might play a role in enhancing neuroplasticity, aiding in the reprocessing of traumatic memories. A study published in the ” Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry” (Lee & Cuijpers, 2013) found that EMDR led to significant reductions in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and these improvements were maintained even at follow-up assessments. This suggests that EMDR’s effects may not only be rapid-acting but also have a lasting impact on the brain’s ability to process and cope with traumatic experiences. The combination of clinical support, scientific research, and endorsement from renowned figures, underscores EMDR’s position as a well-established therapeutic approach for addressing trauma-related challenges.
Over the last two decades, the Emotional Freedom Technique EFT has made huge progress as the once-fringe therapy is now widely accepted. Gary Craig is the founder and developer of EFT, and this technique is relatively new (1990). During EFT, a person taps various meridian parts of their body as they focus on their traumatic memories. This technique mainly works by focusing on how to clear the blockages in your body’s energy systems, which in turn helps to reduce the intensity of negative emotions.
In EMDR Vs. EFT, EFT has no sounds or eye movements involved, unlike in EMDR. During an EFT session, the client keeps repeating a specific phrase related to their traumatic memory and keeps tapping on a specific body part while doing so. A study of 5000 patients seeking treatment for anxiety in the form of EFT and CBT showed that 90% of the patients receiving EFT showed an improvement in their state (J Evid et al., 2019).
EFT, also known as tapping therapy, is an approach combining the elements of acupuncture, psychology, and energy medicine. The idea behind this technique is that our human body contains a system of energy meridians that are similar to those in traditional Chinese medicine. Negative emotions create imbalances in the body’s energy system that lead to a variety of psychological and physiological symptoms.
Gently using your fingertips to apply pressure on various acupuncture points helps balance the energy flow and release emotional distress. This is because these body points are assumed to be connected to the body’s energy meridians. If you’re not someone who believes in negative and positive energy etc., then EFT is not for you.
The best part of EFT is that you can easily do it at home without the presence of your therapist. But that’s also a downside as the presence of an expert is always a good idea in case something unusual happens. Some therapists even use EFT in combination with EMDR to help achieve the desired results.
One of the demerits of EFT is that I couldn’t find a lot of studies to back it up. And most of the studies I found were rather small and not detailed, which makes me question the scientific credibility of EFT. Many people also believe that the studies that support EFT have flaws in their scientific methods, which, again, puts a question mark on the reliability of the technique. All these points side with EMDR and make it weigh more in the combat of EMDR vs. EFT.
The figure below shows a summary of the similarities and dissimilarities in EMDR Vs. EFT. Let’s have a quick look!
People like Prince Harry have got results from EMDR, and this technique is also endorsed by other celebrities like Justin Beiber, Demi Lovato, and Lady Gaga. However, ‘The Bionic Woman,’ aka actress Lindsey Wagner has benefited from EFT and is also backed up by names like Dr. Joseph Mercola (Author of Ultimate Wellness) and Devon Allen (US Olympian). So, all in all, both techniques in the EMDR Vs. EFT debate have shown their benefits, and you can’t really go wrong with any one of these.
However, the training process for EFT certification is quite easy, meaning almost anyone can be trained in EFT. While it’s good up to some extent, if you happen to be working with a therapist who did a simple weekend training for EFT, then your situation might worsen. EMDR training, on the other hand, is very detailed, and only a master’s level therapist is eligible to provide EMDR services, so you can rest assured that you’re in the right hands. Either way, don’t forget to work hard on yourself every day!
Brainspotting vs EMDR. That is today’s debate. Brainspotting and EMDR are two approaches that have been gaining attention for their ability to help individuals recover from trauma and improve their state.
You might be wondering, Aren’t these the same types? No, you are wrong. And to be honest, it’s not your fault. There are so many types of therapies out there that sometimes even I, as a pharmacist, cannot remember them all.
Often considered to be ‘power therapies’ for people dealing with their past traumas, these innovative therapies show promise in promoting your healing and overall well-being. EMDR and brainspotting have so many similarities, yet you can clearly differentiate between them.
In today’s blog post on Brainspotting vs EMDR, I will help you understand what these therapies are and what differences they hold so that you can make the right decision for yourself.
EMDR is a psychotherapy treatment that has been proven effective in alleviating the distress caused by stressful or traumatic life experiences. Do you know what it stands for? It stands for “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing” and has been employed by therapists since the 1980s.
The concept of EMDR was initially discovered by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 during a walk in the park. Since then, EMDR has evolved so much that, today, doctors recommend it as an effective treatment in the Practice Guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association.
Well, now you might be wondering how this EMDR thing works… It works by not only moving eyes but also processing trauma stored within the brain. In some cases, hand clapping and audio stimulation are also utilized alongside eye movements.
It assists individuals in releasing their emotions and aiding in the recovery of their minds from memories and anxieties. The treatment typically consists of eight phases that address and eliminate the root cause for one’s emotional distress by desensitizing and reprocessing past experiences, present challenges, and future fears and aspirations.
Brainspotting focuses on addressing the root cause of the problem in a different manner than EMDR. This is achieved by establishing a connection between eye positions, known as “brain spots”.
In this, your therapist gets access to the levels of your brain. These therapists are trained in Brainspotting and possess the ability to identify the source of an issue through signals emitted by the system.
They simply direct your gaze toward positions that allows you to tap into trauma. By directing your attention to an area in the brain, they can tap into its depths, enabling the processing and release of trauma for long-lasting healing.
After working as a pharmacist for years, there is one thing I can say for sure in our Brainspotting vs EMDR debate. Knowing what will work for you is important, but knowing what will NOT work for you is more important.
That’s why to choose the right therapy you first need to understand the differences between them.
The main key distinction between EMDR and Brainspotting that I think is worth saying is in terms of their approach.
EMDR therapy follows a more structured approach that offers therapists and clients a roadmap for treatment. It encompasses eight phases aimed at addressing events, reducing distress, and instilling positive beliefs.
The therapist begins by collecting information about your trauma history, followed by educating you on the process and what to expect. This activates your target memory, leading to the desensitization and reprocessing phase, ultimately culminating in the installation of beliefs and the complete extinction of the associated symptoms.
On the other hand, Brainspotting takes a personalized approach compared to EMDR’s structured methodology. In this, the therapist does not have any protocol to adhere to, which gives the therapist a little flexibility but may also increase the risk of patient relapse.
Although both treatments could involve the use of eye movements to treat trauma (EMDR may use other techniques as well), there is an essential difference in the relapse rate of patients.
In EMDR, the relapse rate is statistically extremely low as compared to other therapies. There’s a study that shows that in a follow-up period of more than 1 year, the EMDR group reported fewer problems related to depression and fewer relapses than the control group.
But with Brainspotting, things are a little different. We don’t recommend it as the first step in recovery from trauma. This is because this therapy taps into the unprocessed portion of the brain, without a clear framework to guide patients to adaptive resolution, which increases the risk of potential relapse.
The last key difference worth mentioning in our debate of Brainspotting vs EMDR is in their rate and speed of results.
Extensive research on EMDR supports its effectiveness in addressing a range of issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to a study, EMDR has a confidence level of 95% for the treatment of depressive and traumatic symptoms. Although it does include reliving and re-interpreting those traumatic memories, which might be painful for some, it surely appears to give far better results than any other type.
Moreover, further studies indicated that compared to other approaches, EMDR obtained clinically-relevant results in far less time and required no homework, medication, or preparation. (Novo Navarro et al., 2018)
In contrast, Brainspotting offers an intuitive therapeutic process that could be beneficial for clients who are looking for an alternative method for working through their trauma.
We all are dealing with some traumatic feelings in our life. No matter how hard we try, it is not easy to heal from them on your own. Thankfully, there are several different therapies out there.
But how do you find out which one will work for you and which one won’t? By knowing the differences between them. That is why I have categorized the difference between two well-known traumatic therapies these days. Brainspotting vs EMDR.
From having a well-structured approach to treating your trauma to an extremely low chance of relapse, EMDR is clearly a better choice in my opinion. It has a ton of evidence-based research to convince you that it can deliver you result.
To learn more or schedule a free consultation at Grigore Counselling & Associates who specialize in achieving accelerated results with advanced EMDR therapy procedures for professionals, you can visit their website: www.grigorecounselling.com.
If you are still not satisfied and want more information, you are always welcomed to read Robert’s Grigore’s book: You NEED Therapy. EMDR: Real People, With Real Problems, Getting Real Help.
EMDR vs Neurofeedback; which therapy holds the key to unlocking your inner healing potential? Our main agenda for today is to help you pick one in the battle of EMDR vs Neurofeedback. Yes, the same video game-like therapy you’ve been hearing about for so long.
Many therapists have been recommending the combined use of EMDR and Neurofeedback to achieve maximum results. And so if EMDR was enough, why bother spending your hard-earned money twice? I’ve seen this question circulating a lot on the internet, so I thought I’ll clear it for you once and for all. EMDR vs Neurofeedback, worth the hype or not? Let’s find out.
A technique used to treat PTSD and many other forms of mental health distress, EMDR standsfor Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a comprehensive form of psychotherapy that helps you recover from your past traumas and negative life experiences. If you think your childhood was saddening and even though you really like your therapist, you haven’t really seen much progress, this therapy is for you!
EMDR has been widely used in a variety of populations like to treat PTSD in veterans from Iraq wars, Afghanistan war, Vietnam var, and even World War II since initial efficacy study in 1989. I’ve read the testimonials of a handful of patients who were not seeing good results despite doing everything in their power. But then came along EMDR and those same patients healed completely in 8-12 sessions.
But don’t just take my word for it. Dr. Justin Havens, an EMDR consultant, says that EMDR has such dramatic results that patients can go from constantly being reminded of negative feelings to feeling like it’s all in the past now. He further adds that EMDR is a good way for you if you’re looking to kickstart your healing journey because you have your therapist by your side at each step.
EMDR basically works by moving your eyes in a certain way while you process your past traumas. And there’s something about this kind of therapy that The Royal was convinced of its benefits. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, has undergone EMDR, and do you know what he has to say about it? He says it is the kind of therapy he always wanted to try and that EMDR has helped him feel calmer than ever.
What Prince further had to say about EMDR was that it helped him find new strength in him, and that’s why I think he probably decided to come out about him being in therapy. His openness created a positive ripple effect, making it easier for more and more people to seek the support they need. Especially considering the concerning statistic that one in every 6 young people is going through a depressive episode. The tapping you can see in the picture below is a part of the process.
Now, let’s talk about neurofeedback, shall we? Neurofeedback therapy is a type of biofeedback therapy that focuses on teaching the subjects self-control of brain function. This isn’t a new therapy; in fact, the use of neurofeedback goes back to the 1950s when it was used by NASA to train astronauts (they still do so, though).
This kind of therapy is used to improve brain functioning and is done by focusing on the neuronal activity of the brain. Neurofeedback utilizes the power of real-time feedback to train your mind, but like every training, it takes time (almost 5-10 sessions for many to observe small changes). It is supposed to be an aid for patients with ADD, ADHD, autism, insomnia, etc.
Neurofeedback is a therapy designed not only to change how you think and feel but also to train your brain to develop healthier patterns of activity and ultimately to function better. And I personally think it’s insanely genius if you can train your brain in a way that it looks for rewards and avoids things that lead to punishments.
But the point is, is neurofeedback really effective? Well, the results of neurofeedback are still a debatable topic. Even if I neglect the low positive results for neurofeedback, how do I ignore the downside that neurofeedback can disturb your normal brain waves? Yes, neurofeedback can stimulate the frequencies of beta or gamma waves which in turn might stimulate your panic, anxiety, or racing thoughts.
Let’s weigh some pros and cons of EMDR vs neurofeedback so that you can make a better pick for yourself. Starting with EMDR, here we go:
Pros Of EMDR:
Cons Of EMDR:
Pros Of Neurofeedback:
Cons Of Neurofeedback:
EMDR vs Neurofeedback. Given the pros and cons of each, whose side do you think weighs more? Some researchers argue that the limited results neurofeedback is giving can partly be due to a placebo effect instead of actual changes in brain functioning, which makes the effectiveness of this treatment further questionable.
So, who wins the EMDR vs Neurofeedback debate? I’ll be summarizing today’s discussion on the basis of the following comparison chart. Have a look!
All in all, EMDR vs neurofeedback both hold their own benefits in the treatment of disorders like ADHD and PTSD. So, do I recommend combined use of Neurofeedback and EMDR? Yes, you can, for improved results.
It is true that there are people who have benefited from this “game from the future” kind of therapy but the lack of scientific evidence and the wide range of side effects seen make me question this. Is it worth taking the risk? Besides, when you have a therapy like EMDR that has even brought 100% success rates in studies, why would you look for an alternative?
Since the late 18th century, people have been using hypnosis ever since it was developed by Franz Mesmer, a German physician. For almost 2 centuries, this well-guided process has served people, but time changes, and so should the treatment methods, don’t you think so? EMDR is a fairly new technique, but with its rising popularity (all thanks to its effectiveness), I take it upon myself to make more and more people aware. But before you and I jump to any conclusion, I thought I’d create an in-depth EMDR vs Hypnosis comparison so that you know what will fit best for you. Shall we begin the competition: EMDR vs Hypnosis?
EMDR, the full form of which is Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, is a kind of psychotherapy being used widely for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD usually occurs when a person undergoes severe traumatic experiences like rape, sexual assault, or even military combats, road accidents, etc. It was back in 1987 when Dr. Francine Shapiro created EMDR therapy for the first time to treat PTSD.
Hypnosis, on the other hand, I would say, is a condition of increased relaxation that induces a trance or a dream-like state. Also known as hypnotherapy, it is a technique used to treat psychological or emotional disorders. For years, psychologists have been using hypnosis, and it does help you experience changes in sensation, so yeah, your favorite actor could have been hypnotized in that movie you watched twice. But is hypnosis relevant anymore?
When performing EMDR, I’ll go through 8 phases of healing with you. Let’s discuss a bit about each.
First, I’ll ask you queries about your life, how you went through what you went through, your relationship with your family, signs of trauma, and so on.
Before you face any traumatic symptoms again, you’re introduced to this step, where you’re prepared to manage your distress before it knocks at your doorstep.
This is a critical step where you’re asked to think about your target memories (these are the memories where your trauma actually resides) and related emotions or sensations.
One of the most critical parts of the entire process, where we’ll put efforts to desensitize the bad memory. It’s a natural thing to experience some extra distress when going through the process of healing. It’s inevitable but so worth it. Don’t you want to feel that “it’s gone” feeling?
Now it’s time to install a positive belief as an oil in the machinery of your brain to keep the parts moving smoothly. Choose a positive belief that you’ll like to reinforce in yourself instead of the desensitized traumatic memory.
In this phase, we’ll scan all of you from head to toe to detect any lingering distress or tension that could have survived the sessions.
Here comes the final phase of your treatment, where your therapist will ensure that you put an end to your painful past and focus on a brighter future.
This is an additional phase i.e. the time after completeion of your EMDR or the follow-up care time. In this step, the therapist will evaluate your progress from the previous session to see if any residual stress was activated, or if the target is now completed.
Of course, the actual process is so much more detailed than this but for now, I think you get the idea of where we are headed to. Studies have shown that this is so effective that 90% of single-trauma patients overcame their PTSD after only 3 90 minutes long sessions.
Now, I’m going to tell you a bit about how hypnosis works. Hypnosis creates a non-judgemental immersive experience, and here’s how this experience progresses.
The result? A combination of dissociation and immersion or the so-called hypnotic state. This technique helps patients detach from the trauma for a while but what after that? What happens when the delusion fades? Seeing as how EMDR eliminates the root cause of your distress, while hypnosis just lets you spend a few hours in your self-made perception, which one do you think wins this part of EMDR vs Hypnosis?
Both hypnosis and EMDR are therapeutic approaches being used widely for PTSD. But is hypnosis a better approach for PTSD? I believe otherwise. Both these methods should be used to address different situations and here’s what I think.
EMDR for you if you have:
Hypnosis for:
A meta-analysis conducted confirmed that EMDR helped significantly with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. So, if what you really want is your PTSD monster to stop following you, EMDR would be a better choice for you. Why? Because hypnosis is just a pretty-faced mask, and when that mask tears off, the real monster is still there. Let’s see EMDR vs Hypnosis comparison chart:
Even though EMDR and hypnosis are tried and tested by thousands and proven clinically safe, there are still some possible risks that I’d like to share beforehand. Hear me out before you jump to any conclusion!
Hypnosis can:
On the contrary, EMDR can also cause emotional distress and evoke strong emotions at first, but as I explained earlier, it is necessary for you to be able to get rid of this unwanted burden. You can’t overcome your fears if you’re not ready to face them, can you?
At the end of the day, I would say that both EMDR and hypnosis have some edge over the other. When choosing which therapeutic method works for you, you need to weigh your options for their pros and cons. Is the at-first stress of EMDR too much for you to handle or do you find it more convenient to keep facing the pain again and again in the form of recurring sessions?
77% of patients in a study got free from PTSD in just 12 sessions of EMDR; this could be you. Suit yourself, but don’t forget to work on yourself either way! Who do you think won the EMDR vs Hypnosis challenge for you? Let us know.
Learn How to Unlock the Power of Your Vagus Nerve with 5 Simple Strategies.
1. Deep Breathing
2. Cold Exposure
3. Singing / Humming / Chanting
4. Yoga
5. Meditation
Sexual abuse survivors around the world cheered when Westwood star, Evan Rachel Wood shared her experiences of sexual abuse by her previous boyfriend, Marilyn Manson.
Although a body can appear to provide consent, explicit consent must be gathered before engaging in sexual intimacy. This post discusses this concept further and helps the reader understand the confusing role trauma plays for survivors of sexual abuse.
Dive deeper into EMDR and learn why You NEED Therapy! Hint: Robert believes we all need therapy ;)
Inside you’ll discover:
