Gisele Harrison MSW, RSW
  • About Gisèle
  • My Ideal Client Profile
  • EMDR for Trauma & Anxiety
  • Calming, Soothing, Coping
  • Movies, Podcasts, Links & More
  • Anti-Racism
  • Bodies at ALL Sizes
  • 2LGBTQIA+ and Parents
  • Sex Therapy
  • Individual Counselling
  • Relationship Counselling
  • Clinical Consultation
  • MBSR Program (8-weeks)
  • Autoimmune Disease & Trauma
  • Retreats/Programs
  • Family Mediation
  • Fees/Cancellation/Subsidies
  • Contact
  • Blog
Gisele Harrison MSW, RSW, RYT

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Please scroll down for links and videos describing EMDR

EMDR is an innovative clinical therapy that helps individuals reprocess disturbing thoughts, memories, emotions, and behaviours. For many clients, EMDR provides more rapid relief from emotional distress than conventional psychotherapies. Originally, EMDR was developed by Psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 to treat victims of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Since then, EMDR has evolved and is used to treat an endless variety of issues from Complex PTSD to anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and confidence.
 
EMDR is a therapy based on the idea that negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are the results of unprocessed memories. EMDR aims to reduce subjective distress and strengthen adaptive beliefs to traumatic events. The treatment involves a standardized 8-Phase protocol with additional protocols and procedures for special situations. The procedures include focusing simultaneously (dual awareness) on:
  1. spontaneous associations of traumatic images, thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations from past events
  2. while also experiencing therapist guided bilateral stimulation in the form of eye movements, tapping and sounds
 
I was first introduced to EMDR therapy in 1998, during the first year of my MSW program at Wilfrid Laurier University. I completed Basic Training in 2001; EMDR Certification requirements in 2007; and am currently a Consultant in Training under the direction of Kathleen Martin LCSW. I am also the Windsor-Essex Regional Coordinator for EMDR Canada.

As a therapist trained in multiple modalities (page on curriculum vitae), and as a client that has obtained therapy from various experts, I have found EMDR therapy to produce the most comprehensive, profound, validating, self-esteem boosting, trauma resolving approaches for achieving overall mental health and wellness.  
 
In fact, if we compared EMDR to something like home repairs, EMDR is the Mike Holmes of Home repair. For instance, when Mike Holmes is called to fix a mold problem, he takes down every wall to locate the root issue. When he finds the problem, he fixes it completely. And before re-installing new drywall he may notice other related or unrelated issues like shoddy electrical or insufficient insulation and fixes those too. In EMDR therapy, the therapist and client are partners in this work.
 
EMDR 8-Phase Protocol:
Please note the first two phases are typical of most therapy approaches
Phase 3-8 are what distinguishes EMDR therapy from other modalities.  
 
  1. Client history: readiness, safety factors (level of rapport, emotional disturbance, stability, life supports, general physical health, shutdown strategies, calming strategies, timing, medication needs, dissociative disorders), treatment planning, history-taking transcript.
  2. Preparation: form a solid therapy/client bond, teach/enhance calming skills, help clients befriend their nervous system, learn the difference between shutdown and calm, learn and/or enhance new ways to create safety and security, create internal stability (“parts work”), describe the model, set expectations, address client fears and test preferred bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, sounds).
  3. Assessment: select the memory, identify the negative cognition, develop a positive cognition, identify the emotion, estimate the disturbance, identify body sensations.
  4. Desensitization/Removal of disturbance: during this phase it is necessary to process the dysfunctional stored memory that lives in various memory channels associated with the targeted event. Reprocessing memories/experiences in EMDR therapy has some very positive by-products including restructuring negative beliefs (I am unworthy of love…), naturally occurring insights (I am worthy of love just as I am) and a more adaptive understanding of the targeted event.
  5. Installation: Concentrates primarily on the full integration (body, mind, spirit) of newer positive beliefs specifically linked with the original target issue/event.
  6. Body Scan: targets any remaining disturbance that may be stored in the body
  7. Closure: use of visualization, calming skills cultivated in phase 2, safety assessment, and debriefing to ensure the client does not leave the session in a high level of disturbance.
  8. Re-evaluation and Use of the EMDR Three-Pronged Protocol Approach: assesses if the target has been completely resolved that any associated material that might have been activated is addressed, that all necessary targets have been reprocessed to allow the client to feel at peace with the past, empowered in the present and able to make more desirable choices for the future.
 
EMDR Information and Links
  • EMDR Interview with Francine Shapiro EMDR interview Francine Shapiro - YouTube
  • Bessel van der Kolk on Effective Trauma Treatment with EMDR Bessel van der Kolk on Effective Trauma Treatment with EMDR - YouTube
  • EMDR Explained: EMDR EXPLAINED - YouTube
  • How does EMDR Work? How does EMDR work? - YouTube
  • Introduction to EMDR Therapy Introduction to EMDR Therapy - YouTube
  • How EMDR Therapy Works: How EMDR Therapy works? The Art and Science of EMDR (emdartnscience.com)
  • Healing with EMDR personal stories HEALING WITH EMDR personal stories - YouTube
  • For therapists: Home - Notice That (emdr-podcast.com)
  • For clients: Home - Beyond Trauma Podcast

Other Modalities that I Use with EMDR to Trauma, Anxiety and Depression
  • Attachment Therapy: Dr. Dan Siegel Dr. Dan Siegel Home Page - Dr. Dan Siegel (drdansiegel.com); Dr. Sue Johnson Home | Dr. Sue Johnson (drsuejohnson.com); Dr. Diane Poole Heller Somatic Adult Attachment, and Attachment Styles by Diane Poole Heller
  • Chronic Pain and Chronic Health Conditions: Gary Brothers Gary Brothers, LCSW - Home (garybrotherscounseling.com) and Mark Grant Overcoming Pain |
  • Deep Brain Reorientation: Frank Corrigan and Jessica Christie-Sands Deep Brain Reorienting - Trauma Psychotherapy - Dr Frank Corrigan and Lawson study looking at how deep brain reorienting can treat PTSD - London | Globalnews.ca
  • Ego State Therapy: Kathleen Martin K. Martin Counseling & Consulting Services: About Me (kmccs.com); Dolores Mosquera;  Nancy Napier Conscious Living – with Nancy Napier; Richard Schwartz What is Internal Family Systems? | IFS Institute (ifs-institute.com); Robyn Shapiro Robin Shapiro | Psychotherapist, Clinical Consultant, Trainer, and Writer (emdrsolutions.com); Kathy Steele Kathy Steele, MN, CS (kathy-steele.com)
  • Polyvagal Theory: Dr. Stephen Porges  Home of Dr. Stephen Porges; Deb Dana Polyvagal Guided Living | Rhythm of Regulation.
  • Somatic Psychology/Somatic Experiencing: Ergos Institute of Somatic Education Peter Levine Ergos Institute, inc™ (somaticexperiencing.com); Somatic Experiencing International Home - Somatic Experiencing® International (traumahealing.org); Somatic Movement Clinical Somatic Education - Somatic Movement Center; Dr. Arielle Schwartz Welcome | Dr. Arielle Schwartz (drarielleschwartz.com) and Dr. Arielle Schwartz - YouTube
  • Yoga & Mindfulness: MSBR; True North Insight; Michael Stone; Dr. Arielle Schwartz

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)
  • What is Moral Injury Moral Injury Guide – Centre of Excellence on PTSD (veteransmentalhealth.ca)
  • PTSD and Some Options for Therapy PTSD and Some Options for Therapy – Centre of Excellence on PTSD (veteransmentalhealth.ca)
  • The Body Comes to Therapy Too the body comes to therapy too - Bing
  • The Wisdom of Trauma: The Wisdom Of Trauma -
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.