If you’re a trauma survivor, you know that the emotional, physical, and mental impact of your experience can be difficult to manage. You may find yourself struggling with persistent symptoms of PTSD or other mental health issues—but there is hope. A type of therapy known as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can help process and resolve unprocessed memories that are causing distress in your life. Let’s look at how this therapy works.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy is an evidence-based approach to treating traumatic memories that is designed to help people process their experiences in a safe environment. It was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s and has since been used to treat people with a variety of issues, including anxiety, phobias, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The number of sessions required for each person will vary depending on the severity and complexity of the issue being addressed; some people may need just one session while others may require multiple sessions to effectively process their experiences.
During an EMDR session, the therapist helps the patient recall unprocessed memories or events related to their trauma. These memories are believed to contain emotions, thoughts, beliefs, and physical sensations that occurred at the time of the event; when they are triggered, they can cause upsetting symptoms such as panic attacks or flashbacks. Through EMDR therapy, these memories are processed so that they no longer have an emotional charge attached to them; instead they become neutralized and no longer cause distress when triggered.
The way EMDR works is different from traditional psychotherapy because it focuses on specific experiences rather than broad topics like family dynamics or childhood trauma. During an EMDR session, patients are asked to focus on a particular memory or experience while engaging in eye movements or other types of bilateral stimulation (like tapping) provided by the therapist; this helps them process their experiences more efficiently than if they were talking about it alone without any external stimulus. The goal is for patients to understand how their traumatic experiences have impacted them emotionally and physically so that they can move forward with their lives free from distressing symptoms associated with those experiences.
In addition to processing individual traumatic experiences, EMDR therapists can also help patients develop healthy coping strategies for managing future triggers that may arise during daily life activities such as work or relationships. By equipping clients with the tools, they need to cope with potential triggers before they occur, therapists can help prevent further distress in their lives caused by unresolved trauma.
EMDR therapy can be an effective treatment for individuals who have experienced trauma in their lives but feel overwhelmed by its residual effects on their mental health and wellbeing. This type of therapy focuses on processing individual experiences rather than broad topics like family dynamics or childhood trauma; this allows clients to address specific issues related to their traumatic events in order to achieve lasting relief from distressing symptoms such as flashbacks or panic attacks associated with those events. In addition to providing relief from past trauma symptoms, EMDR also equips clients with healthy coping strategies for managing potential triggers before they occur so that future incidents do not lead back into distressful feelings stemming from unresolved trauma. If you’re looking for relief from your own unresolved traumas then consider speaking with a trained professional about utilizing EMDR today.
Interested to learn more?
Get in touch with Caroline today to learn more and start your healing journey.
