Lois Doubleday, Blue Mountain Clinic's licensed clinical professional counselor, has more than 30 years experience as a therapist. Her areas of expertise include working with adults and teens who are experiencing anxiety, depression, loss, and overwhelming stress. Her therapeutic approach includes a deep belief that each individual has the beginnings of the skills needed to heal. She helps her clients build on those skills, healing past pains from life experiences and preparing for healthier futures. Because traumatic events happen in so many people's lives, Lois frequently uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocess (EMDR) as a treatment method when appropriate and helpful.
If you are interested in talking to Lois, call the clinic today to schedule an initial in-person appointment or a time you may speak with Lois over the phone to determine if her services will be of help to you.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocess (EMDR)
EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches. We know that when a person is very upset, their brain cannot process information as it does ordinarily. One moment becomes frozen in time, and remembering a trauma may feel as bad as going through it the first time because the images, sounds, smells, and feelings haven't changed. Such memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way a person sees the world and the way they relate to other people.
EMDR seems to have a direct effect on the way that the brain processes information. Normal information processing is resumed, so following a successful EMDR session, a person no longer relives the images, sounds, and feelings when the event is brought to mind. You still remember what happened, but it is less upsetting. EMDR can be thought of as a physiologically based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new and less distressing way.
Scientific research has established EMDR as effective for post traumatic stress. However, clinicians also have reported success using EMDR in treatment of the following conditions:
- personality disorders
- eating disorders
- panic attacks
- performance anxiety
- complicated grief
- stress reduction
- dissociative disorders
- addictions
- disturbing memories
- sexual and/or physical abuse
- phobias
- body dysmorphic disorders
- pain disorders
Research has also shown that EMDR can be an efficient and rapid treatment. Studies have consistently found that EMDR effectively decreases/eliminates the symptoms of post traumatic stress for the majority of clients. Clients often report improvement in other associated symptoms such as anxiety.
(EMDR information provided by: EMDRI, 5806 Mesa Drive, Suite 360 Austin, TX 7873 Tel: (512) 451-5200 Fax: (512) 451-525 Email: info@emdria.org Website: www.emdria.org)