Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy technique primarily used to treat individuals with PTSD and Trauma.
EMDR can also be an effective treatment for other issues:
* Anxiety & Panic attacks – severe anxiety and panic attacks can be treated using EMDR.
* Depression – sometimes depressions is masked with past traumatic or distressing events. EMDR can be used by your therapist as part of the process.
* Phobias – Specific fears, like fear of flying or heights can be addressed with EMDR
* Past Trauma – It’s used to treat the long-term effects of trauma. It could be what was experienced during childhood, like neglect or abuse or it might be something that happened that had an impact (like PTSD, a serious accident or illness).
The goal of EMDR is to help clients reprocess and distance themselves from past or current traumas, issues, or adverse events that continue to weigh on their daily lives.
By activating brain regions that handle stress and trauma, EMDR helps clients address the negative aspects and problems they want to overcome. This process removes mental barriers, allowing for emotional healing and improvement
Read more about EMDR in our recent blog post: EMDR and Trauma Treatment
EMDR is used successfully for treating children and teens who are experiencing various issues. They include:
* Traumatic Events – If a child or teen has experienced something very scary or traumatic, EMDR can help process the events..
* Anxiety or Fears – EMDR can be used for dealing with lots of worries or fears, even if they are not related to one big event.
* Loss & Grief – For a young person dealing with the loss of a family member or friend, EMDR can help them cope with their feelings of sadness and loss.
* Behavioral Problems – Sometimes, when kids act out or have trouble controlling their behavior, it’s because of an underlying stress or trauma. EMDR can help understand and manage the feelings.
* Bullying & Self-Esteem Issues – if your child or teen has been bullied, they may benefit from EMDR to deal with the feelings of fear or anger. It can also help with the negative beliefs about themselves and who they are.
It’s important to remember each child or teen is unique, and EMDR is tailored to meet their specific needs and experiences. The goal is to help them feel better and more in control of their emotions and reactions.
As the name suggests, EMDR is a highly unique therapy method that uses eye movement to administer treatment.
EMDR therapy takes place in a safe and comfortable office environment. Licensed EMDR therapists use various techniques to help clients stay focused as they process traumatic and negative thoughts and feelings internally. These techniques may include back-and-forth hand motions, moving lights, sounds, or rhythmic cues. All of these techniques provide bi-lateral stimulation of the brain.
Bilateral stimulation is a therapeutic technique that involves rhythmic back-and-forth movements or sensations on both sides of the body. It’s effective in healing trauma because this back-and-forth stimulation helps the brain process traumatic memories. This bilateral approach aids in desensitizing traumatic memories, making them less distressing and assisting in the healing process.
EMDR research indicates that concentrating on the therapist’s hands and a specific traumatic event helps a client’s brain to form new adaptive connections. These connections aid in unblocking the ability to process and move beyond the trauma.
It’s crucial to understand that revisiting trauma can be highly emotional and painful. EMDR therapists are cautious and won’t push clients too hard. They regularly check in to assess any distress or discomfort during each session.
As therapy continues, we evaluate and adapt the approach to provide the best and safest experience for the client.
Many therapies exist for mental well-being, and EMDR is one of them. So, why would someone choose EMDR? In order to answer this question, let’s review what it is and how it benefits the client.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It sounds fancy, however, its purpose is simple: help people heal.
EMDR is an integrative psychotherapy approach, extensively researched and proven effective for treating trauma.
Many different life events can be traumatic. These can include divorce, illness, accidents, and losing someone near to you. Additionally, there are more extreme experiences such as war, torture, and PTSD.
It’s thought that EMDR helps access and process traumatic memories, leading to resolution both emotionally and cognitively. In order to address the eight phases of the treatment, and allow for time for the reprocessing effect, the sessions will be 75 minutes in length. This assists the counselor in the overall completion of the phases with you.
There is more to EMDR as you will see listed below.
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Pathways Counseling has been great! Stephanie and the EMDR therapy have helped me tremendously!
* Mike (client)
Pathways Counseling Services, a Scottsdale counseling practice works with clients to make it a journey from pain to empowerment. For many, it’s the key to unlocking deep, lasting healing.
Choosing therapy is personal. It’s about finding out what resonates with you as a client. If you are one of those haunted by unsettling memories, or feeling stuck, this can be a therapy for you.
If you’re looking for a holistic option, EMDR can be a valuable selection. EMDR incorporates bilateral stimulation, guided techniques, and delves into the mind-body connection.
With this approach, clients can find relief, clarity and a renewed sense of self.
Additional EMDR resources:
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