EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
“ You can overcome serious trauma in your past and find happiness.”
Some memories are so painful or traumatic that when they come to mind they trigger physical sensations that can be overwhelming. These sensations my include things like; nausea, crying, shaking, racing heart, dizzyness or difficulty breathing. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a scientifically proven psychotherapy technique designed to relieve the distress associated with disturbing memories. It is important that a client feels safe and has established a relationship with their therapist for EMDR to be successful. For this reason, it typically takes at least 3 sessions to establish the therapeutic bond before EMDR is attempted.
The goal of EMDR is to help individuals heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. It involves recalling a specific troublesome experience while following a side-to-side visual stimulus delivered by the therapist.
Trauma Memory Activation
During an EMDR session, the client focuses briefly on a traumatic memory. This memory could be related to a specific event or experience that has caused emotional distress. The goal of EMDR is to reprocess the memory so that it no longer triggers an emotional response. Your therapist will help you recall the traumatic experience in bite size pieces while utilizing bilateral stimulation of the brain so that the brain can reprocess the events from a place of power rather than a place of fear. This will reduce the vividness and emotional intensity of the memory. Over time, this process helps the individual process and integrate the distressing experience.
Reformulating Negative Beliefs
EMDR aims to reformulate negative beliefs associated with the trauma. As the client processes the memory, they may experience cognitive insights and a shift in their perspective. EMDR also helps reduce physiological arousal related to the trauma. By activating the brain’s natural healing processes, it allows the mind to recover from psychological wounds much like the body heals from physical injuries.
Research studies have consistently shown positive outcomes with EMDR therapy. In fact, some studies indicate that 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after just three 90-minute EMDR sessions. Remember that healing from trauma is a gradual process, and seeking professional support is essential.
Physiological Arousal Reduction
EMDR also helps reduce physiological arousal related to the trauma. By activating the brain’s natural healing processes, it allows the mind to recover from psychological wounds much like the body heals from physical injuries. When the psychologica wounds are healed, you will still remember the traumatic memory but you will no longer have a physical response to those memories.
Does EMDR Work?
Positive Outcomes
Research studies have consistently shown positive outcomes with EMDR therapy. In fact, some studies indicate that 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after just three 90-minute EMDR sessions.
Let Go of the Past and Move Into the Present
Past trauma can get in the way of experiencing the present and staying in the moment with friends and family.
- Process underlying pain and anger
- Repair your past hurts and issues
- Discover negative beliefs about self
- Create new positive beliefs about yourself
- Connect with others without fear
Our Therapy Process
Your first step is to call us to schedule your initial appointment. We will provide a brief screening to see if we have availability that works with your schedule, and we can also check to see if we are in network with your insurance company. We will also collect a little informaiton about what you are looking for in a therapist and see if we have a therapist that would be a good fit. This call will generally be about 10 minutes in length.
Based on the information you provide, we will work hard to pair you with a therapist that we believe will be the best fit for you and your current struggles. If we do not have any with current availability, we are happy to offer a referal to another therapist or practice who may have greater availability or be a better fit.
Your initial evaluation session provides an opportunity for you to build rapport with the therapist and provide them with some background about yourself and the reasons you are seeking counseling. In addition, they will be able to answer your questions regarding services, confidentiality, and what to expect in therapy.
At the end of your first session, you will have a treatment plan created in collaboration with your therapist and you will decide if you want to move forward with that plan and schedule additional sessions.
Call +1 704 709 5545 and speak to any of our office staff to learn more or schedule an appointment.
The Benefits of EMDR
- Rapid Symptom Relief
- Effective treatment for PTSD
- Reduces Anxiety and Depression
- Lessens Emotional Reactivity
- Increases Self Esteem
- Promotes Cognitive Reconstuction
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