We interviewed Jennifer Giustra-Kozek, author of Healing Without Hurting, about EMDR for stress, anxiety and trauma. You can watch the replay below. Please note that you will be asked to provide your email address at the 30-minute mark to continue viewing the replay.

What Is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a blend of psychotherapy and bilateral brain stimulation that is highly successful in treating stress, anxiety and trauma. During this procedure, patients tend to “process” the memory in a way that leads to a peaceful resolution. This often results in increased insight regarding both previously disturbing events and long held negative thoughts about the self. EMDR can be used to lower stress levels for people with:

• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Mood disorders

In This Webinar

Jennifer Giustra-Kozek emphasizes the impact of EMDR on breaking cycles of trauma, particularly highlighting its effectiveness for children, war veterans, and those with deep-seated emotional issues. The discussion also covers complementary practices such as hypnotherapy, bilateral tapping, and family constellation therapy, underscoring the holistic approach to healing and the importance of parental involvement in mitigating the effects of family trauma on children.

Key Discussions

EMDR Therapy for Trauma and Anxiety

EMDR therapy is an effective method for resolving trauma, anxiety, and stress by creating new neural pathways and integrating rational thought with emotional experiences. It involves bilateral stimulation (eye movement, tapping, or vibrating tools) to help process and reframe traumatic memories.

Application for Various Conditions

EMDR therapy is versatile and can be used to treat a wide range of issues, including PTSD, addiction, learning disabilities, and emotional dysregulation. It is also adaptable for both individual and couples counseling contexts, helping to resolve trauma at both personal and relational levels.

Children and Family Dynamics

EMDR is beneficial for children, especially those with autism spectrum disorders and learning disabilities. It also aids parents by helping them address their own trauma, which can positively influence their children’s emotional health. There is an emphasis on the energetic connection between parents and children, highlighting the therapeutic impact on the entire family system.

Integration with Other Therapies

EMDR can be complemented with other therapeutic methods such as hypnotherapy, reiki, and the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). These therapies can collectively help manage emotional and physical symptoms related to trauma, supporting a holistic approach to treatment.

Importance of Addressing Subconscious Beliefs and Core Issues

EMDR therapy effectively addresses deep-rooted subconscious beliefs and core issues, which are often the underlying causes of trauma-related symptoms. Rather than just treating surface symptoms, EMDR works on reprogramming negative beliefs, reducing the associated distress, and promoting healthier behavioral patterns.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 EMDR and hypnotherapy offer deeper trauma relief.
08:11 Trauma is felt in the body.
11:31 EMDR provides traditional and adapted therapy protocols.
19:19 Guilt and pain drive moms to help.
26:21 Traumatic events may contribute to diseases’ onset.
31:04 EMDR can help heal childhood trauma effectively.
33:33 Work through emotions until resolved, revisit if needed.
38:52 Family trauma impacts children.
44:53 Address recent or longstanding trauma with specific treatment.
49:48 Recognized child’s issue, referred to naturopath.
58:59 Physical pain linked to trauma affects recovery.
01:06:22 Nutritional deficiencies and learned depression in children.
01:10:43 PANS/PANDAS webinar discussed sudden behavior changes.

About Jennifer Giustra-Kozek LPC HpN

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