EMDR

Learn about EMDR, also known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

My Role

I do not offer EMDR therapy or psychological counseling. In the context of pain management, I offer three primary services: Pain Management Massage, Pain Management Coaching, and Massage Instruction.

Pain Management Massage: As your massage therapist, I want to help your brain identify patterns of safety, reduce central sensitization, and feel wonderful.
Pain Management Coaching: As your pain coach, I am here to teach you pain neuroscience education, inspire you to have hope, and encourage you to search for and develop SIMs.
Massage Instructor: As your massage instructor, I want to teach you ways to self-soothe and integrate massage and wholesome touch into your everyday life.

Other Resources

I will help you to the best of my ability within my scope of practice, but I am not the only resource you can draw upon for help. Certain levels and types of pain may require the assistance of mental health professionals.

Sometimes EMDR is used to treat people who have chronic pain, when it has a trauma-related component. But it is primarily used to help people with PTSD lessen the intensity of intrusive and distressing memories. Whether it is appropriate for you is a decision to be made between you and your mental health professional. It is not for everyone.

EMDR is performed by a licensed mental health professional who has been certified in EMDR by an EMDRIA-approved training course. It should not be self-administered or performed by an unlicensed healthcare provider.

EMDR

EMDR is not a form or subtype of cognitive behavioral therapy; they are distinct therapeutic approaches. Though different, they do overlap and are sometimes used together.

The core focus of EMDR is to help reprocess traumatic or distressing memories using bilateral stimulation to reduce their emotional intensity. Bilateral stimulation is a rhythmic, back-and-forth sensory experience that alternately stimulates the right and left sides of the brain or body.

It is usually administered using visual, auditory, tactile, or other methods.

Visual: This entails side-to-side eye movements that follow the mental health therapist’s finger, light bar, or dots on a screen.
Auditory: The entails using alternating tones played in each ear using headphones or earbuds.
Tactile: Gentle taps may be applied on the hands, knees, or shoulders, or vibrating pucks may be held in each hand.
Other: Sometimes the mental health professional will use a combination of the above-mentioned methods, or some approach.

Purpose of EMDR

The purpose of EMDR is to help with rapid reduction in trauma symptoms, decreased emotional intensity of memories, improved emotional regulation and mood, better daily functioning, and improved brain processing over time.

In the context of managing pain, people have used it for the intended results of:

Reducing pain intensity and pain-related distress, particularly when the pain has a trauma, emotional, or central sensitization component.
Helping with reprocessing of pain-related memories (neurotags), lowering threat perception, and allodynia and hyperesthesia.
Improving coping and reducing catastrophizing.
Reducing reliance on medications.

Next Step

EMDR can be a helpful complementary approach when past experiences continue to shape protective patterns. While I do not offer EMDR, Discovering Safety Within and pain management coaching provide guided support that can work alongside a licensed professional who offers EMDR.

Learn more about pain management coaching and take the next step to peace, ease, and pain relief.

If you need counseling services but are concerned they may be beyond your financial means, there are resources available to you.

Walter’s Walk is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) counseling organization that supports the community by providing integrated mental health services to children and adults who have experienced trauma, depression and anxiety, regardless of their ability to pay. All of their providers are committed to the wellness of the community by serving those in need.

Disclaimer

All information provided on this website, including, but not limited to, educational materials, pain neuroscience explanations, treatment suggestions, and any other content shared during sessions, classes, or coaching, is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition, nor is it a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

You should always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you receive here.

Jennifer Brand Spa

Pain Management at 2717 Hwy K, O’Fallon, MO 63368