Sharon Ybarra, Ph.D.
1235 Bath Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

(805) 560-3838 (office)

sky98@verizon.net

What is EMDR?

EMDR, also known as Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, is a powerful and  innovative psychotherapeutic approach that is currently the most effective and rapid  method for both resolving Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and enhancing  performance in sports and the performing arts. This has been documented by extensive  research and clinical practice.

EMDR is ....

an effective addition to traditional therapies that helps to relieve and eliminate uncomfortable feelings attached to memories of disturbing events. Use of EMDR commonly results in the client remembering the event as a fact, but without the distressing emotions that have accompanied the memory since its inception.

Resolution of distressing feelings surrounding uncomfortable memories is brought about by stimulating both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously while the client holds the image, emotions, body sensations, and self-evaluative cognition symbolizing the most salient moment of the event, in his/her imagination. The bilateral stimulation results in a biochemical change that increases the flow of blood in the brain’s limbic system, which leads to resolution of the uncomfortable feelings.

The EMDR approach may also be used to increase client’s sense of self efficacy and self esteem. EMDR assists individuals to re-evaluate and discard ideas that prevent them from functioning optimally. Peak performance then becomes the outcome.

EMDR was discovered in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro. She originally used eye movements to create the bilateral stimulation of the brain, but later developed other methods of stimulation. Dr. Ybarra uses varied methods, but most often uses alternating taps on the back of the hands. EMDR is effective with persons of all ages and for many different problems.

For further information on EMDR, please visit: http://www.emdr.com and http://www.emdria.org.