Learn The Benefits of EMDR Therapy in Scottsdale AZ

Suck it up, get over it, move on – sounds like something I hear almost daily as I walk through the local market or even as I watch my son play at the park.  It’s a common misconception when dealing with emotional pain. However, we actually need to work on healing our wounds rather than bottle them up.

To acknowledge, feel and understand ourselves is much easier said than done. It’s especially challenging in today’s world where we have 20 things to do all before noon, and still make time for spouses, kids and ourselves. We so badly want to move forward and not look back. What we fail to realize is how this can be harmful to our mental health in the long run. 

Unfortunately, bad things happen in the world and we can’t change the past. However, we do have the power to change our perception and learn from past experiences. EMDR therapy has helped many of our clients at Pathways Counseling Services and reminds us all – If we can feel it, we can heal it.  

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) enables clients to heal the symptoms and emotional distress that are a direct result of traumatic experiences. Therapy shows that the mind can heal from psychological trauma just as the body recovers from physical trauma. 

During EMDR therapy the client revisits emotionally disturbing memories in brief doses while simultaneously focusing on external stimuli. After successful treatment, the client should feel that the distress is relieved, negative beliefs are reformulated and triggers are reduced.

How does EMDR work?

EMDR therapy is an eight- phase treatment that focuses on three time periods- the past, present and future. A client and therapist will begin with targeting the distressing memories and current situations that cause emotional distress.

Trained therapists will teach the client a variety of stress reduction techniques and ensure they have several different ways of handling emotional distress during and between sessions. Work will be done in session as well as independently between sessions. 

A major goal of EMDR therapy is to produce rapid and effective change while maintaining equilibrium.  

Benefits of EMDR

The insight gained with EMDR is not solely given by the therapist’s interpretations, but instead from the client’s own cognitive and emotional process – feeling empowered by the very experiences that once distressed them. Using detailed protocol learned in EMDR training, therapists help clients activate their own natural healing process and acquire the skills needed for their future.

EMDR Results

Studies show that 84-90 percent of single-trauma victims no longer have post-traumatic stress disorder after only three 90-minute sessions of EMDR therapy. Another study found that 77 percent of combat veterans were free from PTSD in as little as twelve sessions. The amount of preparation needed will vary and the number of sessions depend on the specific problem and client history. 

Repeated controlled studies provide us with positive feedback and results showing that EMDR has been found to be more rapid and effective than other therapeutic approaches when working with clients with PTSD or individuals facing trauma of all types, both big and small.

EMDR in Scottsdale, AZ

Our trained therapists at Pathways Counseling Services are ready to help facilitate your personal growth. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona our team is aimed to provide you with the assistance and tools you need to overcome those traumatic events that are holding you back. Please feel free to visit our EMDR page here and schedule an appointment online or call us at (480) 235-1682 to speak with us today.