EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, is used to treat trauma. It is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that has been proven to be successful in helping individuals heal from the effects of PTSD, anxiety, and again, trauma, and other psychological issues.
Trauma/PTSD
Trauma can often leave us feeling helpless and alone. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects millions of people worldwide and can be debilitating. This makes it difficult to live a full life! EMDR therapy is one approach to treatment that has been demonstrated to help those suffering from PTSD and trauma.
For many people, the idea of finding relief can seem daunting – and therefore EMDR serves as an invaluable asset for individuals seeking relief from overwhelming feelings associated with PTSD.
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR therapy was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 and has since become one of the most popular forms of therapy used today. This type of psychotherapy uses rapid eye movements (REM) or bilateral stimulation such as tapping or auditory tones to help patients process traumatic memories more effectively. The goal of EMDR is to help individuals heal from their traumatic experiences by re-processing them in a safe and non-threatening environment.
Put another way, EMDR helps patients “process” traumatic experiences that have been stored in their brains by desensitizing them to the memories associated with these events.
What is an EMDR Therapist?
An EMDR therapist is someone who has received extensive training in both general psychotherapy and in EMDR specifically. This type of professional usually has at least a Master’s Degree in psychology or counseling, as well as additional specialized certifications in order to become an EMDR therapist. In addition to providing talk therapy, an EMDR therapist will often provide eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) as part of their treatment plan for their clients.
Example of an EMDR Session
During EMDR, the therapist will guide the patient through a series of steps designed to activate both sides of the brain simultaneously. This helps the individual access underlying emotions associated with their trauma so that they can be processed in a healthy way.
The patient will then be instructed to focus on specific points while moving their eyes rapidly back and forth or by engaging in bilateral stimulation techniques such as tapping or humming sounds while focusing on the target memory or emotion. By doing this, it helps reduce emotional reactivity and allows individuals to gain a better understanding of themselves and their experiences.
EMDR also involves Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This type of therapy focuses on identifying negative thought patterns that are affecting behavior and replacing them with positive, empowering ones. During CBT sessions, therapists will help clients identify distorted thinking patterns, learn how to challenge them effectively, and learn how to replace them with more adaptive ways of thinking about themselves and their past experiences.
Why Is EMDR An Effective Treatment For Trauma?
EMDR has been proven to be an incredibly effective form of therapy for those struggling with trauma because it helps individuals reprocess difficult memories in a safe and non-threatening environment. By activating both sides of the brain simultaneously during sessions, patients are better able to process their experiences in a healthy way rather than letting them remain stuck in their minds as unprocessed memories which can lead to further psychological difficulties down the line. Furthermore, research has shown that after just 8 weeks of weekly sessions, many individuals report feeling significantly less distress related to their traumatic events.
What are the Benefits of EMDR?
There are numerous benefits to using EMDR therapy. It can help people process difficult memories and experiences in a safe environment without feeling overwhelmed or ashamed. It also gives patients control over how they choose to work through these issues.
Put another way, EMDR helps people process their trauma in a safe, non-confrontational way. Through this type of therapy, patients can move through their emotions without feeling triggered by them. Additionally, research has demonstrated that EMDR therapy can reduce symptoms such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts associated with PTSD.
Additionally, research has shown that EMDR often leads to faster results than other types of psychotherapy when it comes to reducing symptoms related to trauma and anxiety.
Reach Out
Overall, EMDR is an effective form of psychotherapy for treating trauma that has been proven successful time and time again through numerous studies conducted over decades of use across the globe.
If you or someone you know is struggling with unresolved traumatic memories or PTSD symptoms, consider speaking with a therapist about whether EMDR might be right for you! With its evidence-based approach combined with its ability to reprocess unresolved memories safely and effectively, there’s no wonder why so many have found healing through this powerful form of therapy.
