Ehrlo Counselling Services (ECS) has introduced a new therapeutic technique.

ECS now offers Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. This structured, neurobiological approach to therapy helps clients focus on trauma memories while providing bilateral stimulation (rapid eye movement) to reduce the vividness and distressing emotion associated with the traumatic memories.

“Clients who have experienced any kind of trauma and are suffering from symptoms of distress associated with traumatic incident(s) are most suited for this type of therapy,” said Kristie Panchuk, ECS clinical social worker. “This can be a single traumatic event, or long-term complex trauma that has taken place in childhood or through the course of one’s life, including intergenerational trauma.”

EMDR therapy supports the brain in resolving emotions and sensory information associated with the memory of a traumatic incident. EMDR is not talk therapy, however, minimal talking is involved to ensure the individual receiving therapy has coping skills and resources available to them while processing their trauma. The therapy works to improve the communication between the left and right brain and tax the working memory to bring the past into present coping and safety.

“Bi-lateral stimulation and reprocessing is a natural therapeutic technique the body already attempts to do when healing from a traumatic event, so the therapy itself is supporting natural brain and nervous system functions,” explained Kristie. “This is another therapy option that causes images and emotions associated with traumatic events to fade, so individuals can live a life with less distressing memories or trauma symptoms.”

If you are struggling, the first and biggest step is to reach out for support. Speaking with a counsellor can support you in developing a treatment plan that is right for you and your family and can include therapeutic processes such as EMDR.

“At Ehrlo, we believe that individuals are the experts in their own lives and experts in navigating their own healing,” said Kristie. “We feel privileged to be part of the journey to facilitate and bear witness to the body’s innate capacity to heal itself.”

Knowledgeable counsellors at ECS offer a variety of trauma-informed therapy approaches, including EMDR, somatic experiencing (SE), and trauma informed talk therapy.

For more information on these therapies or to inquire about professional supports, contact ECS.