Candice Shigemoto

 

EMDR INFORMED CONSENT

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of therapy that utilizes bilateral stimulation (BLS) in the form of eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones in order to access the brain's capacity to process troubling memories, thoughts, or feelings. Clients may experience relief in a few sessions while others may need more sessions before positive effects are noticed. EMDR is effective in treating trauma-related symptoms that occurred long ago or as recently as today.

Research has demonstrated that EMDR is an effective treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, phobias, panic attacks, anxiety disorders, stress, sexual/physical/emotional abuse, disturbing memories, complicated grief and chronic pain.

The possible benefits of EMDR treatment include but are not limited to the following:

1. The memory of a disturbing event is recalled, but the painful emotional and bodily sensations, disturbing images and thoughts are no longer present.

2. EMDR helps the brain reintegrate the memory or event and assimilate it into the memory network to be more adaptive. In other words, the client's brain reintegrates the memory and does the healing!

The possible risks of EMDR treatment include the following:

1. Reprocessing a memory may bring up associated memories that can be painful and cause distress. This is a normal process in EMDR and these memories will also be addressed and reprocessed in treatment.

2.During EMDR, you may experience bodily sensations and retrieve images, emotions, or sounds associated with the memory.

3. Reprocessing of the memory or event will likely continue even after the end of our therapy session. Additional associated memories, flashbacks, feelings and sensations, or vivid dreams may also occur in the time between our sessions. The brain is often able to process these additional memories without help, but arrangements for assistance and a clear plan will be discussed in order to assist the client in coping between sessions.

In order to promote the most effective treatment, clients are advised to consider and complete (as appropriate) the following points.

1. Client should be prepared to tolerate emotional disturbance. The EMDR process may bring a level of emotional discomfort, as is typical in any therapeutic approach dealing with painful or disturbing memories.

2. Please disclose to me and consult with your physician before participating in EMDR therapy if you have a history of current eye problems, a diagnosed heart disease, elevated blood pressure, or at risk for or have a history of stroke, heart attack, seizure, or other limiting medical conditional that may put you at medical risk. Pregnant women should also consult with their physician.

3. Inform me if you wear contact lenses and remove them if they impede eye movements due to irritation or eye dryness. Clients may find it helpful to bring a contact case to store their contacts during the length of session. I will discontinue BLS if you report eye pain and other forms of stimulation will be substituted, as appropriate.

4. Please keep in consideration that if you are involved in any upcoming legal court proceedings you may choose to postpone EMDR treatment especially if you are the victim or witness to a crime that is being prosecuted because the traumatic material processed using EMDR may fade, distort, or disappear and your testimony may be challenged.

5.Please also consult with your medical doctor before utilizing medication. Some medications may reduce the effectiveness of EMDR. For example, benzodiazepines may reduce effectiveness possibly due to state-dependent processing and/or regression may occur after ceasing antidepressants.

6. Based on recent research findings, EMDR paired with recent crack cocaine users and long-term amphetamine users may not be productive.

7. Clients are strongly urged to discuss with me any dissociative disorders that have been met with little to no treatment progress. EMDR may trigger these symptoms but may also be helpful in attempting to alleviate them.

8. Please note that there are no known adverse effects for interrupting EMDR therapy; therefore, you may discontinue treatment at any time.

I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES OF EMDR LISTED ABOVE AND UNDERSTAND THAT I CAN END EMDR TREATMENT AT ANYTIME. I AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN EMDR THERAPY AND I ASSUME ANY RISKS INVOLVED IN SUCH PARTICIPATION.