Lisette Lahana, MSW, LCSW (CA), LICSW (MA)
Consultation, Psychotherapy and Training

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)is a new, powerful treatment that Dr. Francine Shapiro discovered by chance in 1987. She found that if you think of a disturbing thought and then move your eyes in a specific way, the thought may become less disturbing. A psychologist by training, Dr. Shapiro began to use EMDR with veterans and saw it had amazing effects. To date, thousands of psychotherapists have been trained to provide EMDR based on Shapiro's research and methods. EMDR has an effect on the brain which can help a person cope better with past, present or future events.

How EMDR works is still under investigation by neuroscientists. What we do know is that when a person experiences trauma, the brain may start to process information differently. A person who has experienced trauma or negative life events may relate to themselves or others in ways that feel "stuck" or repetitious. EMDR helps to move people out of these negative mental patterns and into a more adult, healthy way of functioning.

During an EMDR session, I lead you to move your eyes or listen to special music that activates both sides of the brain. It is different than hypnosis because you are fully conscious and can stop the session at any time. The special eye movements or sounds, combined with a type of psychotherapy, can help you feel better faster and have results that last.

EMDR is a type of treatment that you cannot do on your own. I have advanced (Level II) training and am a Certified EMDR Therapist. Each session can last between 50 and 90 minutes, depending on the issues you want to work on.
To build up your positive qualities or inner resources, one session can make a difference. You may also find that deep relaxation can be achieved with one session. We work together to take that relaxation and contentment out of my office and into your daily life. For working on trauma, childhood issues or negative memories, you may feel results anywhere from one to ten sessions.