Ep.239 EMDR Therapy Explained: Safe Spaces, Trauma Healing, & Bilateral Stimulation with Lori Riley, LCSW

The Days Grimm Podcast

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In this special mental health episode of The Day's Grimm, hosts Brian Michael Day and Thomas Grimm welcome back Licensed Clinical Social Worker Lori Riley of Blue Skies Mindfulness to take a deep dive into EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy!

Brian shares his personal journey of finally committing to therapy and his initial, intense experience with the first stages of EMDR, including the crucial process of building a mental "safe space".

Lori Riley, LCSW, breaks down everything you need to know about this powerful trauma treatment modality:

• What is EMDR? Defining Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing as psychotherapy that helps heal emotional distress from disturbing life experiences by using bilateral stimulation.
• Bilateral Stimulation: Discussing the different tools used for bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, the "buzzies" (vibrating eggs), or tapping.
• The Safe Space & Container Technique: Explaining the importance of building a mental "safe space" as a pausing mechanism during sessions, and the "container" technique for temporarily putting away triggering thoughts, people, or nightmares.
• Managing Intensity: Lori explains that EMDR can be intense and draining, and emphasizes the need for a therapist to allow time for processing after each session, rather than immediately ending the appointment.
• Coping Skills: Discussing practical, in-the-moment coping skills like grounding (focusing on the tangible environment) to manage fear-driven anxiety cycles and developing a personal mantra to combat intrusive thoughts.
• The History & Stigma of EMDR: Lori recounts how EMDR was once dismissed by professors as a "fallacy" in the early 2000s and why the training is so intensive.
• Overcoming Barriers to Therapy: The hosts and guest discuss the hurdles of seeking help, such as embarrassment, the "manly man" complex, and the frustration of having to "shop around" to find the right therapist.

If you're curious about EMDR, seeking therapy, or looking for new mental health coping skills, this episode is a must-watch!

GUEST INFO Lori Riley, LCSW Blue Skies Mindfulness https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/lori-riley-evansville-in/290090

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Episode Start & Guest Intro (Lori Riley, LCSW)

03:13 - Lori's Practice: Blue Skies Mindfulness

03:34 - What is "Grounding"?

05:56 - Brian's Therapy Journey & A Therapist Crying

07:09 - Introduction to EMDR Therapy

08:30 - Building a Mental "Safe Space"

13:17 - The Container Technique & Four Square Breathing

17:35 - How EMDR was viewed 20 Years Ago (A "Fallacy")

26:42 - Official Definition of EMDR

35:20 - The Power of a Mantra/Saying to Combat Anxiety

1:05:20 - Overcoming Barriers to Seeking Therapy (Embarrassment, Manliness)

#EMDR #EMDRTherapy #MentalHealth #TraumaTherapy #TheDaysGrimm #LoriRileyLCSW #SafeSpace #AnxietyRelief #CopingSkills #GroundingTechnique #Therap

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