Michael Baldwin

Deborah Korn

Exploring the nature of trauma and how best to deal with it is not only a timely task, it is a necessary one. While COVID, isolation, and social unrest don’t necessarily cause trauma—trauma is about how one reacts to a thing, not the thing in itself—the fact is that these days many of us are dealing with some sort of trauma. How can we heal? Perhaps through a therapy known as EMDR, which stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Cowritten by Michael Baldwin, a patient who experienced transformative relief from trauma through EMDR therapy, and Dr. Deborah Korn, a therapist (though not Baldwin’s therapist) who explains exactly how and why EMDR works, Every Memory Deserves Respect brings the good news of EMDR to countless readers who may not even know of it but would greatly benefit from using it. We learn the origins of EMDR and of its effectiveness in treating those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder; how a session works; questions to ask a therapist before beginning. But we also learn a great deal about trauma—how it can refer to any experience, big or little, that is overwhelming, triggers strong negative emotions, and involves a sense of powerlessness or intense vulnerability; how it’s stored in our memories, and our bodies, waiting to be triggered; and how EMDR resolves it. Every Memory Deserves Respect is a warm, accessible, and helpful book, in part because of its innovative use of full-page photographs paired with a statement, definition, or affirmation. And that, combined with its mix of personal story and trusted authority, makes this an unusually effective introduction to a complicated and important subject.

EMDR, the Proven Trauma Therapy with the Power to Heal

Every Memory Deserves Respect

An introduction to EMDR, a proven trauma therapy with the power to heal, cowritten by a world-renowned therapist and a patient who experienced transformative relief through EMDR therapy. Trauma is a part of life. You or someone you care about has probably experienced trauma, whether “big-T” trauma, such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse or the more common but no less significant “little-t” trauma that can result from divorce, job loss, painful childhood experiences, or any situation where you felt worthless, afraid, or powerless. Untreated trauma can lead to long lasting effects such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and difficulties maintaining intimate relationships. But the good news is that we can heal—and it doesn’t have to take a lifetime. EMDR (which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a unique type of psychotherapy proven to help people recover from trauma and improve the quality of their lives. Cowritten by a patient who experienced transformative relief from trauma through EMDR therapy, and a world-renowned psychologist who explains exactly how and why EMDR works, Every Memory Deserves Respect provides clear information while offering inspiration and hope. Through compelling science, personal stories, and powerful photographic images, we learn how trauma is stored in the brain and body, continuing to cause pain and suffering, and how EMDR frees us by repatterning our thinking and emotional reactions. It explains why talk therapy has only a limited impact on trauma recovery, describes what to expect from gentle and targeted EMDR therapy, and offers guidance on how to find a therapist who is just right for you.

Deborah Korn

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