Professional Psychotherapy &

Assessment Services  ​

​Sven Schild, PhD, TCC

​

Request Appointment

Call:  858-602-2847

​​​​​​EMDR


What is EMDR? 
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma and other psychological problems. Compared to other therapies, however, EMDR is not a traditional talk therapy. Instead, EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches, which help to reprocess material that was "unresolved and locked" in the brain. No one completely knows how EMDR works, but research studies show in fact that it does work. 

It is known that we have verbal and nonverbal memories, and it is believed that in trauma, the nonverbal memories (e.g., emotional, sensory) become frozen in time and are fragmented memories that are not integrated and processed. With the use of EMDR it is believed that somehow the right and left brain are now able to communicate with one another and old distressful material can be processed. Essentially, the negative, strong emotion linked to the memory dissipates and the person can move on, so to speak. The memory may still be there, but without the incapacitating intense emotions.

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:

  • Addictions
  • Sexual and/or Physical abuse
  • Panic attacks
  • Complicated grief
  • Dissociative disorders
  • Disturbing memories
  • Phobias
  • Pain disorders
  • Performance anxiety
  • Stress reduction


To learn more about EMDR, please the EMDR Institute, EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), or the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program ( EMDR HAP) website. 
                
 
Dr. Schild is an EMDRIA certified EMDR clinician. The EMDRIA certification program ensures that a clinician has received thorough, high-quality training in EMDR and possess the skills and knowledge necessary to be a successful and effective EMDR practitioner. In order to maintain one's EMDRIA certification status, a clinician is also required to remain up-to-date with EMDR applications and best practices in the field of EMDR. 

                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                        Suggested reading: 




















Dr. Schild has completed several advanced trainings in EMDR, including:

  • Attachment Focused EMDR: Healing Developmental Deficits and Adults Abused as Children, The Institute for the Advancement of Human Behavior
  • Feelings State Addiction Protocol
  • EMDR in the Treatment of Addictive & Compulsive Behaviors
  • The Neurobiology of EMDR: A Glimpse inside the brain


To find a certified EMDR clinician in your area, please visit the EMDRIA website at: www.emdria.org.