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

At first I was skeptical about EMDR. I've been in psychotherapy in the past - which definitely helped. However, years after therapy ended I was having reactions to life events that I knew were grounded in the past. So, I was referred to Lisette Lahana to begin EMDR. I decided to give EMDR a shot. I thought I'd only do a few sessions and see how it goes - after all who knows if this stuff works anyway. Well, it works.

The beginning process takes time - Lisette helped me set up internal resources and it turns out this is extremely valuable before doing actual EMDR processing. At times, EMDR was emotionally painful, but I always felt better afterwards. It also is amazing how much a body can hold onto and for how long. I was able to go back in time to when I was 3 or 4 years old and remember those feelings. Sometimes I thought "This can't be happening - how the heck can I remember back then?" But those feelings are too real to not be real.

During my EMDR sessions we used a combination of EMDR music and tapping noises. Sometimes when I would remember something outside of sessions, I could feel my eyes move back and forth. Kind of weird - but somehow my brain must have been working because things felt OK - I didn't have the same horrible feelings like before EMDR.

Through EMDR, I felt all those old horrible feelings - terror, fear, loneliness, frustration, shame and that I was unlovable - which before EMDR would transport me back to being 6-8 years old, even though I am in my mid 30's. After doing EMDR, I can feel and respond as a responsible mid-30's adult would respond. Essentially I grew up through EMDR and I learned I am okay.

The damage that can be done to people so early in life is permanent and shapes your whole world. Looking back I can see now why I made certain decisions and why I reacted the ways I did. The best part is - I don't have to react the same way or make the same decisions now - I can move on and live a better life. Plus, my kids will have a grounded mom (most of the time, because no one is perfect!) and I can pass on a better life to them. No one should go through a painful childhood. I have the ability to stop that cycle so that my children and their children, etc... will have better lives.

EMDR is amazing. I don't know how it works and I certainly didn't think it would work - but somehow it does. I am grateful that I found EMDR and I am grateful for all Lisette did to help me. This is a process I would recommend to everyone.

If you have comments about how "Kay's" experience with EMDR helped or inspired you, email me and I will share your letter with her. Email Lisette Lahana at yahoo.com

WHAT IS EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING? (EMDR)*
WHAT DO OTHER CLIENTS SAY ABOUT EMDR?

For more information about EMDR, including what a session looks like, how EMDR works, and therapists in your area, contact:

EMDR International Association