| EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a method of psychotherapy that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches. To date, EMDR has helped an estimated two million people of all ages relieve many types of psychological stress. I was trained in EMDR treatment in 1998 and have used in successfully with many people with trauma related symptoms stemming from:
EMDR can also be used to enhance performance for:
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| If you would like to explore EMDR options for your therapy, please call me to arrange an appointment. Pamela Lipe, M.S., LP, 651.470-5174 |
| EMDR |
I took my first training in EMDR in 1998. The training started on Friday evening and
lasted all weekend. We were all seasoned and experienced clinicians but none of us
knew this new technique of EMDR. So as we were learning, we were also practicing with
each other.
We were instructed to work on a "small t" trauma during our practice
sessions--something that was upsetting to us but not highly sensitive or difficult. I chose
a nightmare/anxiety dream that I had had my entire adult life. At least two times a year,
whenever my life became tense, I would have the dreaded Elevator Dreams.
The Elevator Dreams: There were basically two types. In one, I was scheduled for a
meeting at a very tall building, like the Sears Tower in Chicago of 100 stories. I would
get on the elevator to go up to the top floor. However, after I got on the elevator, I
discovered that the floor may become disconnected and I could possibly fall down a
number of stories. I become quite frightened about my safety and get off this very fast
but unstable elevator car. Once I'm off the car, I realize I still have to get up to my
meeting and then I'll need to get back on the elevator to leave the building. Terrified, I
am unable to remember which is the dangerous elevator and just have to take my
chances.
The second type involves me getting on an old, wooden, service-type elevator you see
in older buildings. Once I'm on the car, I again realize the floor is unstable and I may fall
many stories. I've had this dream so often, I tell the other passengers in the elevator to
"Hang on. This is my elevator dream. It'll be over soon." And I show them how to hang
on to the side rails and remain calm.
So I used my Elevator Dream as an EMDR target. My co-trainee moved his hands in
front of me and I followed with my eyes. Nothing happened. I felt nothing, thought of
nothing, and basically decided nothing had happened at all. I decided the real test
would be the absence of the Dreaded Elevator Dreams.
Well, in fact, the terrible Elevator Dreams went away. I have had zero frightening
elevator dreams since 1998!!! Several years ago, I had a dream in which there was an
elevator in a two story building. As I approached this elevator to get on the car, I could
see that it was blocked off for construction. In the dream, I was unable to use the
elevator and took the stairs. THE SCARY ELEVATOR DREAMS ARE GONE AND HAVE
NOT RETURNED.
lasted all weekend. We were all seasoned and experienced clinicians but none of us
knew this new technique of EMDR. So as we were learning, we were also practicing with
each other.
We were instructed to work on a "small t" trauma during our practice
sessions--something that was upsetting to us but not highly sensitive or difficult. I chose
a nightmare/anxiety dream that I had had my entire adult life. At least two times a year,
whenever my life became tense, I would have the dreaded Elevator Dreams.
The Elevator Dreams: There were basically two types. In one, I was scheduled for a
meeting at a very tall building, like the Sears Tower in Chicago of 100 stories. I would
get on the elevator to go up to the top floor. However, after I got on the elevator, I
discovered that the floor may become disconnected and I could possibly fall down a
number of stories. I become quite frightened about my safety and get off this very fast
but unstable elevator car. Once I'm off the car, I realize I still have to get up to my
meeting and then I'll need to get back on the elevator to leave the building. Terrified, I
am unable to remember which is the dangerous elevator and just have to take my
chances.
The second type involves me getting on an old, wooden, service-type elevator you see
in older buildings. Once I'm on the car, I again realize the floor is unstable and I may fall
many stories. I've had this dream so often, I tell the other passengers in the elevator to
"Hang on. This is my elevator dream. It'll be over soon." And I show them how to hang
on to the side rails and remain calm.
So I used my Elevator Dream as an EMDR target. My co-trainee moved his hands in
front of me and I followed with my eyes. Nothing happened. I felt nothing, thought of
nothing, and basically decided nothing had happened at all. I decided the real test
would be the absence of the Dreaded Elevator Dreams.
Well, in fact, the terrible Elevator Dreams went away. I have had zero frightening
elevator dreams since 1998!!! Several years ago, I had a dream in which there was an
elevator in a two story building. As I approached this elevator to get on the car, I could
see that it was blocked off for construction. In the dream, I was unable to use the
elevator and took the stairs. THE SCARY ELEVATOR DREAMS ARE GONE AND HAVE
NOT RETURNED.
My practice serves the following communities: Maplewood, Woodbury, Saint Paul, Oakdale, Skyway,
Lowertown, as well as other Eastern Suburbs of the Twin Cities, Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.
Lowertown, as well as other Eastern Suburbs of the Twin Cities, Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.
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