Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing / EMDR

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an established treatment for trauma-related issues, with strong evidence for its efficacy in the treatment of PTSD.  This treatment was first discovered and developed by Francine Shapiro, PhD in 1987.  The technique was initially used with Vietnam Veterans who suffered from PTSD but it is now widely used in general populations with adults, adolescents and children and addresses a broad spectrum of traumatic, affective and anxiety disorders.  The theory underlining EMDR presumes that when a memory of a disturbing event is inadequately processed, neural networks can freeze the related perceptions, emotions, bodily sensations and cognitions in a state of potential activation, identical to the actual time of the traumatic event. In brief, people can be triggered in the present by an event, and then re-experience the distress as acutely as in the past.  EMDR attempts to process disturbing memories by using bilateral eye movements, audio and or tapping to facilitate connections between the neural networks in the brain by unblocking maladaptively stored subconscious images, emotions and body sensations. The neurons rewire and memories are processed and moved from the limbic to the prefrontal part of the brain, allowing for
adaptive, present-day and compassionate processing. 

Bronwyn was trained in EMDR in 2000 by Francine Shapiro, PhD, completed Level II certification in 2001 with William Zangwill, PhD, and since 2002 has trained with Cindy Browning, LCSW, co-creator of the Float Back technique.  She received her international certification with EMDRIA in 2005.  Since 2015, Bronwyn has been an approved EMDR consultant, and has been co-facilitating EMDRIA-approved EMDR trainings with Dr. Zangwill.  In 2023 she became an EMDRIA approved Trainer and presents workshops on Resource Development Installation also The Advanced Flash techniques, developed by Dr. Philip Mansfield. She provides ongoing individual and group EMDR supervision to other therapists. Bronwyn uses EMDR regularly in her practice with general psychotherapy clients and also provides customized EMDR individual assessment and treatment.