EMDR Therapy and How It Can Help
EMDR trauma therapy is a scientifically-proven effective mode of therapeutic treatment. treatment. This powerful form of therapy has the ability to manage mental illness and heal individuals with severe trauma. In this post, I will talk about EMDR therapy in detail. You’ll learn what this therapy is, how it is practiced, and how it can help people with trauma and other related psychological disorders.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy, also known as eye movement and desensitization reprocessing, is a type of psychological treatment that can help people with trauma and PTSD. This structured therapy was developed in 1987 and was initially created to relieve people of stress caused by psychological illness.
Nowadays, this type of therapy is used specifically for people with traumatic memories and PTSD. EMDR therapy will differ a little depending on your therapist and their methodology. However, there is a standard procedure that most psychological professionals will follow. I’ll talk about this in the next section.
How is EMDR Therapy Practiced?
Typically, patients will go in for six to twelve sessions of EMDR. Some people have multiple sessions per week and others benefit from a single session per week. The number of times you go to EMDR will depend on your level of trauma, and the impact your mental health diagnosis has on your day-to-day functioning.
Still, you might be wondering, what exactly goes on during an EMDR session? Well, the key feature of EMDR is memory retrieval. Trained therapists purposely have their patients recall painful and traumatic memories. These memories are often triggering to the individual and create a reaction in the body and mind.
This might seem counterproductive, but this is all a part of the treatment. As the patient recalls their traumatic memories, the therapist directs their eyes in a bilateral movement. The movement of the eyes is said to retrain the mind and help the patient properly process their traumatic memories.
In particular, over several sessions, your brain learns to store your traumatic memories in a different way. This results in less emotional and physiological reactions when the patient thinks about or is reminded of their traumas.
Does EMDR Trauma Therapy Really Work?
Can memory recall and eye movement change the way someone processes their trauma? This seems like a deceptively simple therapy practice, and to some, it might be far-fetched. But, EMDR therapy has been extensively researched by scientists and other psychological professionals. And, study after study has shown that EMDR reduces the impact of trauma and related memories.
In fact, if you are looking for a therapy practice with minimal side effects, EMDR is your best bet. There are no negative effects associated with this practice, and this is seen as an effective way to combat PTSD and other related mental illnesses. Though, some people do view this form as therapy as an unconventional treatment choice.
How Can EMDR Therapy Help People With Trauma and PTSD?
People with other psychological disorders, like depression and anxiety, could use EMDR for treatment. But, as I mentioned before, EMDR is most effective for anyone with traumatic memories and PTSD. This is because EMDR works directly on negative emotions and memories associated with trauma and gradually desensitizes you to them.
In fact, EMDR is even known to reduce the vividness of traumatic memories. Many people with PTSD suffer from flashbacks, and in some instances, they can feel like they are reliving their trauma all over again. EMDR helps prevent this symptom and other symptoms of trauma. It does not directly alter the memory or change the memory.
But, through EMDR, these painful memories become less intrusive and all-consuming. Patients can actually detach themselves from their trauma in a healthy way. And they are able to live their lives without being constantly reminded of their past.
What Can You Expect When You Go For EMDR Therapy?
In this final section, I’ll talk about what you can expect from EMDR therapy. Going in for any type of psychological treatment can be nerve-racking. So, I’ll discuss the full process of this type of therapy here to relieve some of your worries.
There Will Be An Intake and Planning Phase
When you go in for therapy, you will briefly discuss your history with your therapist. This will include any medical issues and mental health issues you have faced in the past.
An assessment of your current mental health will also be taken. And, once you are assessed, you will start planning out your treatment with your therapist.
You’ll Prepare With Your Therapist
After your intake, your therapist will begin preparing you for EMDR. They will explain the practice to you and what you should expect. At the same time, they will also give you tools to help you relax and destress in healthy ways. Relieving your traumatic memories can be painful, so your therapist will prepare you for this.
You’ll Talk About Traumatic Memories
In the third phase of this practice, you will begin discussing which memories will be used for EMDR. You will need to pick out specific memories to recall with your therapist. This way you can effectively treat your trauma. The effects of the memories will also be discussed, as well.
Treatment With EMDR
Finally, you will begin EMDR treatment. EMDR sessions are usually 60-90 minutes long and can be intense. But, know that your therapist is trained and there to help you. You will recall negative emotions, memories, and thoughts to target your trauma.
During the recall period, your therapist will direct your eyes with finger movements. Some therapists also add in tapping sounds, as well, which can be effective. After each recall and eye movement, your therapist will ask you to clear your mind and revisit the memory you just worked on.
You might go through several different memories or keep revisiting a specific set of memories during a session. It all depends on your reaction. If you are still stuck on a particular memory your therapist might revisit it again and do more EMDR on it. Eventually, though, you should feel less triggered by your memories as you do more sessions.
Assessing Treatment
In the final stages of EMDR, you and your therapist will talk about your treatment, and assess the effectiveness of your EMDR sessions. Please feel free anytime to reach out to our team to discuss whether EMDR could be helpful for you or a loved one - info@sunpointwellness.com.