A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with a master of science in clinical social work from Bryn Mawr College, Ellen Ostroff has operated her own general psychotherapy practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the past 12 years. Among her other areas of expertise, Ellen Ostroff, LCSW, has completed extensive training in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy.
A relatively new psychotherapy modality, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment involves experiencing emotional triggers and reliving trauma in a controlled clinical setting while a therapist directs patients eye movements in a rapid and rhythmic fashion.
EMDR therapy has grown steadily in popularity over the last several years. Practitioners have found it particularly effective in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therapists have also used EMDR treatment to help alleviate depression and anxiety, as well as assist patients with addiction, eating disorders, and panic attacks.
Experts posit that EMDR therapy is effective because remembering disturbing events can be less emotionally distressing when patients are physiologically distracted. Therefore, they can experience troubling memories while muting their psychological response.
Ellen Ostroff 