What EMDR is and how it works.

On June 21, 1994, Alice thought that her life was over. It was on this day, that she was raped while going to work. Alice felt that after this Tuesday, she would not be able to ever go to work, or be intimate with her husband again. About a year later Alice came to see me with her husband, convinced that she was doomed to always be in psychic pain. Because of a spot she saw on ABC's 20/20, she felt that as a last hope, she would give the treatment a try. After seeing me for a total of 10 sessions (6 of which were sessions in which EMDR was used), she was able to look for and get a new job, and for the first time since the incident, she was able to have sexual contact with her husband without intrusive thoughts of the rape.

Overcome past hurt and pain to lead a better life.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic process which will clear troubling emotions and negative thinking linked to trauma and other painful past experiences. Some people have said that EMDR helped them more in one session than other therapies had in years.

Don't spend years learning about your childhood to enjoy your life

During an EMDR session the patient combines the focusing on a memory and moving one's eyes while following the therapist's fingers or an object that is used to focus on. As the session begins you will be aware of the feelings and thoughts connected to the memory while simultaneously making the rapid eye movements. As the process starts, your perception of the traumatic memory will begin to change. It can become more complete, with an increase in the emotional content or intensity. Or the memory may fade. Regardless of how EMDR proceeds, the unpleasant feelings and negative thinking fade and are replaced by more positive feelings and thoughts.

When the process is completed you will remember the event. Understand and know that it happened but will no longer be "haunted" by it or disturbed by the memory. This then changes the way you view other parts of your lives.

As an investigative producer for network television, it was second nature to examine everything--the old and the new--with fervent skepticism. It's not surprising, then, that I screened a taped interview, shot for an ABC News, 20/20 segment investigating a little-known therapy treatment called EMDR, with a fair dose of cynicism. Little did I know, I would become an strong advocate of EMDR a decade later.

It is nearly impossible to articulate the effectiveness of EMDR--administered by an experienced and capable therapist like Mr. Barry herbach--without sounding corny. The efficacy, and speed with which EMDR works, are quite incredulous, making it difficult to explain unexperiencially. And having been to a number of reputable NY therapists before going through EMDR with Mr. Barry Herbach, the difference is this:

Therapy prior to EMDR was an effective means to manage or deal with issues--an effort to keep pain, dysfunction, unhealthy patterns, at bay. EMDR with Mr. Barry Herbach removes the pain--the pain is simply gone, and with it, the dysfunction and unhealthy patterns.

J.M. Arango

For me, the EMDR session I had was truly a 'break through' event. I was not aware it even existed but though what the hell, I've been seeing diferent therapists for 10 years and still not living happy. There are many individual specifics, but very soon afterwards (24hours) I felt ...like a big weight had been lifted from my heart. I literally felt 10lbs lighter and that some deep trauma had finally been put to rest. Over 2 years later I am still feeling the benefits and very lucky that I found a great practioneer.

Alex D

Barry is a knowledgeable professional who has great insight into people and their issues. He has a no nonsense approach however his relaxed and easy going nature elicits a comfort level with clients immediately. His expertise in EMDR and one on one therapy leads to positive and lasting results in a short period of time. I believe that Barry's expertise and personality creates a therapeutic environment that is conducive to healing.

Dan Merriman

How EMDR can help you

The studies to date show a high degree of effectiveness with the following conditions:

Experts Speak Out:

Barry Herbach, LCSW

212-229-7451

nyemdr@nyc.rr.com