Trauma is a common experience for many individuals, and the negative psychological effects it can have can last for years if left untreated. Fortunately, there are several forms of therapy that exist for those who wish to seek assistance. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is one such treatment that has grown in popularity. In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about EMDR therapy, including its benefits and how it can help heal your trauma. 

1. Understanding EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is designed to help individuals work through traumatic events that have occurred in their lives. The therapy was originally designed to treat individuals who were struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it has since expanded in its application. EMDR therapy networks the corresponding sections of the left and right brain while simultaneously pairing external stimuli with the exhibition of trauma-related internal stimuli, allowing the brain to process the traumatic memories and overcome them. 

2. EMDR Therapy Benefits

One of the most significant benefits of EMDR therapy is the speed at which it can produce results. Other forms of therapy can sometimes take months or even years to make progress, but patients typically notice a significant difference after just a few sessions of EMDR therapy. Additionally, patients who choose EMDR therapy over traditional therapies such as talk psychotherapy have been documented to attain a full recovery from experiencing PTSD symptoms in 20% fewer sessions on average. 

3. The Process of EMDR Therapy 

EMDR therapy is conducted in structured sessions. The first step involves building a relationship with the patient and getting to know about their experiences. The therapist will then use different techniques to help the patient internalize any negative beliefs or thoughts they hold about themselves, as a result of their traumatic experiences. The therapist selects eye movement as an alternative stimulation for reprocessing traumatic events; the use of a sound or touch with a Therapeutic Lightbar can also be used as a viable stimulation. When this is done, the patient is instructed to visualize the traumatic event, its mental and physical manifestations, while following the therapist's moving hand with their eyes. This process may be repeated until the traumatic event loses its emotional charge. 

4. Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy? 

EMDR therapy can be applied to anyone who has experienced trauma in their lives that continues to emerge in various ways. Trauma can manifest in different ways, including tumultuous relationships, eating disorders, or suicidal ideation. EMDR therapy often works effectively on symptoms that have been proving resistant to trapping such as anxiety, fixation, or repeated experiences. If you are struggling with trauma, EMDR therapy may help, regardless of the duration, freshness of the event, or nature of it.  

Availability and accessibility to different treatments for trauma is incredibly important, and for many individuals, traditional therapy simply does not work. If you are someone who is seeking help recovering from traumatic experiences, EMDR therapy could be the ideal solution for you. With its rapid progress reports and ability to help patients overcome past scenarios that continue to influence them, the benefits of EMDR therapy have been validated as a valuable resource for patients. Additionally, with minimal risk and no harmful side effects clinically documented, EMDR therapy is a route to be considered by any adult looking to heal.

Please call our office if you're interested in scheduling with an EMDR trained therapist.