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After a trauma, people experience a wide range of physical, emotional, and cognitive reactions and it is important to recognize that those are normal reactions to abnormal events. EMDR is a psychotherapy that is used to treat the distressing symptoms that result from traumatic experiences. EMDR has more than thirty years of empirical evidence that proves the effectiveness of this intervention to treat trauma and/or PTSD in a way that traditional talk therapy may not be as effective.
The therapist guides the client to concentrate on a disturbing event while the client moves their eyes rapidly back and forth (following the therapist’s fingers or light bar). The eye movements replicate what naturally occurs when our eyes move in a similar manner during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep when we are dreaming. The bilateral eye movements engage both sides of the brain – the right brain which tends to scan the world for threats and has more of a negative outlook on life, and the left brain which tends to be more analytical and governs more of a positive outlook on life. Engaging both sides of the brain while recalling a traumatic memory can decode and restore that memory in a way that provides the client with a sense of relief from the distressing symptoms that the memory elicits.
The therapist guides the client to concentrate on a disturbing event while the client moves their eyes rapidly back and forth (following the therapist’s fingers or light bar). The eye movements replicate what naturally occurs when our eyes move in a similar manner during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep when we are dreaming. The bilateral eye movements engage both sides of the brain – the right brain which tends to scan the world for threats and has more of a negative outlook on life, and the left brain which tends to be more analytical and governs more of a positive outlook on life. Engaging both sides of the brain while recalling a traumatic memory can decode and restore that memory in a way that provides the client with a sense of relief from the distressing symptoms that the memory elicits.
MEET OUR EMDR PSYCHOLOGIST:
Zabrina Kwan - Registered Psychologist
Zabrina Kwan is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She has worked with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and is passionate about supporting individuals in the areas of stress, anxiety, depression, life transition, trauma, interpersonal challenges, and many other issues. She provides a safe, caring and confidential environment for individuals to become empowered to create positive changes in their lives such as increasing their overall personal functioning and performance.
Problems can sometimes arise in life and individuals may need some assistance to get back on track. We will work together to explore your thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviours that you want to change in order to meet your goal. In your journey, we will develop strategies that fit your unique situation. Zabrina uses a variety of counselling approaches such as EMDR, cognitive-behavioural therapy, solution focused therapy, and interpersonal therapy.
Zabrina Kwan is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She has worked with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and is passionate about supporting individuals in the areas of stress, anxiety, depression, life transition, trauma, interpersonal challenges, and many other issues. She provides a safe, caring and confidential environment for individuals to become empowered to create positive changes in their lives such as increasing their overall personal functioning and performance.
Problems can sometimes arise in life and individuals may need some assistance to get back on track. We will work together to explore your thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviours that you want to change in order to meet your goal. In your journey, we will develop strategies that fit your unique situation. Zabrina uses a variety of counselling approaches such as EMDR, cognitive-behavioural therapy, solution focused therapy, and interpersonal therapy.
