EMDR For many of us, the thought of delving into our past traumas can be overwhelming. We may want to keep them in the “Pandora’s box” and never open it, preferring instead to ignore our pain and discomfort. However, ignoring our emotions can often lead to increased anxiety, alcohol or drug addiction, and unproductive relationships. That’s where EMDR therapy comes in. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of psychotherapy that helps people process traumatic events more efficiently so that they can move forward with their lives. Let’s take a closer look at how EMDR Therapy works and why it might be beneficial for you.
What Is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy used to treat trauma survivors. It was developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro as a way to reduce the distress associated with traumatic memories. It consists of 8 phases that involve talking about the traumatic event(s), identifying triggers for negative thoughts or feelings, connecting present-day experiences with past ones, and using eye movement desensitization techniques to reduce distress caused by the memories of past events. The goal of EMDR is to help clients gain insight into their current reactions without being overwhelmed by their negative thoughts or feelings.
How Does EMDR Work?
The core element of EMDR Therapy is bilateral stimulation—which involves stimulating both sides of the brain simultaneously with eye movements or alternating tones played through headphones. During treatment sessions, a therapist will guide you through sets of back-and-forth eye movements while you focus on specific memories related to your trauma. This helps bring those memories into conscious awareness while also helping you process them more effectively so that they are no longer emotionally charged. Over time, this helps reduce the intensity of your reactions when thinking about those traumatic experiences.
Benefits Of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy has been found to be effective for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, phobias, depression, eating disorders, and other mental health conditions related to trauma or stressors from earlier life experiences. In addition to reducing symptoms associated with these conditions, it also provides long-term benefits such as improved self-esteem and increased resilience in dealing with difficult situations in everyday life. For example, one study found that 50% participants who went through 8 sessions of EMDR saw significant reductions in symptoms after just 3 sessions.
If you are struggling with PTSD or other conditions related to past trauma or stressful life events, consider giving EMDR therapy a try. It is an evidence-based approach that has been proven effective for many different kinds of issues related to emotional distress caused by past experiences — not only can it provide short-term relief from intense symptoms but it can also help you develop lasting skills for managing stress in your everyday life over time! With guidance from an experienced therapist trained in this technique, you can learn powerful tools for healing from your traumas on your own terms so that you are better equipped for living a full and fulfilling life going forward.
Interested to learn more?
If this sounds like something that could benefit you then get in touch with Caroline today. You deserve to feel happy and free – so take the first step with EMDR Therapy.
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