Is EMDR Psychotherapy right for you?
Not everyone embraces the idea of traditional talk therapy. Especially when depression drains them. Or traumatic memories make life unpredictable. Or the pain of abuse is too terrible to talk about freely. Suffering deep emotional or psychological pain can make the idea of long talk sessions seem unbearable.
Thankfully, there is more than one type of psychotherapy that can deliver effective relief. A method called Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, or EMDR psychotherapy, is an evidence based mental health treatment helpful for easing anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, and more. Let’s look at what EMDR is and why it works so well.
What is EMDR
According to the EMDR Network, “The goal of EMDR therapy is to process completely the experiences that are causing problems, and to include new ones that are needed for full health.” Again, "processing the experience" in EMDR does not necessarily mean discussing the details of your problem at length. Instead, you work with your therapist to create an environment and mental state conducive to observing problems. Thus, they can be productively “digested and stored appropriately in your brain.”
Essentially, that just means that what is beneficial to you from a difficult experience can be learned and retained for future use. The emotions lose their distressing nature, trauma recedes. The event serves only as a guide and growth opportunity. You are simply more informed and free to pursue a happier future.
What does the process involve?
When you meet with your therapist, you will discuss your problems and symptoms in ways that you are comfortable. Then, specific, gentle and somewhat nontraditional techniques will be employed to help you address your disturbing feelings. Guided through a process called desensitization, you will recall your painful event, tracking your therapist’s back-and-forth finger movements with your eyes.
Research indicates that such eye movements stimulate the same brain processes that occur during the rapid eye movement, or R.E.M., sleep state. Scientists believe that, in that dream state, the brain processes survival messages. The idea is that the eye movements of both the REM state and EMDR move disturbing memories, emotions, sensations, and beliefs into more logical, helpful memories.
From there, more positive associations are made and negative or untrue internal connections can be cleared away. The method, though not traditional, helps you re-process your negative feelings. Soon you no longer need to hold on to negativity in your mind and body. As you move forward, your sessions reinforce more positive emotions and perceptions.
What makes EMDR such a helpful approach?
EMDR psychotherapy assumes that your brain wants to heal.
EMDR simply and gently remove mental blocks that prevent healing. This method does not assume that healing requires a long recovery period. Anxiety and stress dissolve rapidly and significantly because EMDR hones in on mental processing that may have been overlooked or unconsciously unaddressed.
EMDR psychotherapy is not slowed by a reluctance to do homework or out-of-office therapy.
While some therapists do suggest journaling, generally, EMDR psychotherapy is in-session work. The work of redirecting the eye movements connected to your distress takes place only in sessions with your therapist.
EMDR psychotherapy fosters insight and progress via your own processing, not your therapist's interpretations.
You are in control and empowered to move forward in this approach. At your own pace, you determine how much to embrace the therapy, how long to stick with it, and how quickly you make changes in your life.
EMDR psychotherapy creates a framework for lasting change and improved decision-making.
As progress is made and you feel better, recovery is facilitated quickly and satisfactorily. Intense feelings of relief, un-guardedness, and emotional readiness are not uncommon following EMDR sessions. In fact, studies show that EMDR helps gently and thoroughly process emotional problems in half the time of traditional therapy.
Are You Ready for Relief?
Compared to traditional methods, EMDR psychotherapy may feel unlike anything you’ve tried. It isn’t a drawn-out process. It won’t hover in the details of your most distressing experiences. You will notice thoughts, feelings, and sensations but the technique will help you move through them feeling safe and in control. EMDR is a transformational therapy.
Together, you and your therapist can achieve powerful and lasting healing in your brain and body. Please don’t continue to suffer needlessly, reach out for help today.
If you would like some extra support and are looking for a psychotherapist, please contact us for a free consultation to learn about how we can be of service.
Click here to learn more about EMDR Therapy. Serving Boulder, Longmont, Denver.
For your other needs, you can count on April Lyons Psychotherapy Group, to help you heal and grow through somatic therapy, trauma therapy, and PTSD treatment – because we believe in your strength and potential for recovery.
