34. The Power of EMDR therapy: Overcoming Trauma and Anxiety with Ginger Poag

When it comes to experiencing a traumatic event, overcoming its rippling effects can feel overwhelming—like there's no end in sight. EMDR is here to change that. This week, I'm joined by Ginger Poag, a clinical psychotherapist and trauma counselor specializing in EMDR therapy. We sat down to discuss how EMDR works, the effects this modality has on the brain, and why those with anxiety, trauma, and PTSD may benefit the most from it. In this episode, you'll discover: What Is EMDR: An acronym for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, EMDR therapy "allows us to get into the limbic system of the brain where traumas are stored,” shares Poag. "So we're able to access it there, desensitize it, and then move it to a different part of the brain where the brain can now realize, okay, that happened in the past. It's no longer an active threat."  How EMDR Works: EMDR helps you reprocess traumatic events through bilateral movements using eye movements, hand tappers, or sound. This is important because "on a subconscious level, what we do today is being affected by the trauma still stored and unprocessed," says Poag. Introducing a positive belief ("I can overcome anything") can also be done during your session. EMDR vs Talk Therapy:  While talk therapy is always an option, Poag says it can feel limiting to someone with a history of trauma. "I feel like there's a form of narrative therapy where you keep telling your story over and over again, and it can be more traumatizing to the client," she shares, adding, "What I like about EMDR so much is that I don’t need to know every little detail. All of the work is happening in your brain." Ketamine Can Help Access Emotions: Reserved for people who are having a hard time accessing certain memories or those hitting a plateau, using a small dose of ketamine—administered by a clinician—can prove helpful during EMDR sessions. "It's been so effective, and we're able to process through so much at an even quicker rate with the ketamine," says Poag. 02:17 Understanding Trauma and EMDR 04:08 Types of Trauma and Their Impact 09:50 Mechanisms Behind EMDR 11:35 EMDR in Practice: Methods and Effectiveness 13:02 Personal Testimony: Overcoming PTSD 20:00 Comparing EMDR with Traditional Talk Therapy 25:06 EMDR for Couples and Recent Traumatic Events 26:21 Exploring Ketamine in EMDR Therapy 28:43 EMDR Session Timelines and Effectiveness 34:26 EMDR for Children and Young Patients 42:08 Intensive EMDR Sessions and Retreats Connect with Dr. Myers: Website: https://www.amymyersmd.com/ Newsletter: https://www.amymyersmd.com/ec/guide-to-leaky-gut Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyMyersMD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amymyersmd/ Episode mentioned with Dr. Ann Shippy (The Devastating Effects of Toxic Mold Exposure) Connect with Ginger Poag: Website: https://www.columbiaemdr.com/ To find an EMDR practitioner - Emdria website: https://www.emdria.org/find-an-emdr-therapist/ EMDR Therapy Intensives: https://www.columbiaemdr.com/emdr-therapy-intensives EMDR Intensive Retreat Costa Rica: https://www.columbiaemdr.com/costarica