What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?
What is EMDR and how can it help?
EMDR stands for Eye Movements Desensitization and Processing. It is a psychotherapy approach developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s to help people process traumatic memories and overcome the negative effects of traumatic experiences. EMDR is well researched, clinician led & evidenced based.
Here's why you should give EMDR a try:
1. Targeted Resolution: EMDR directly targets and processes the underlying experiences and memories that fuel your distress, providing rapid relief. By reprocessing these painful elements, EMDR replaces negative beliefs with positive ones, giving you a fresh perspective and facilitating true healing.
2. Lasting Results: Unlike therapies that solely focus on managing symptoms, EMDR tackles the core issues at hand. By addressing the root causes of your problems, EMDR therapy creates lasting results, empowering you to live a life free from the weight of past traumas or negative experiences.
3. Safety and Comfort: Our experienced and compassionate EMDR therapists create a safe and supportive environment for your healing journey. With their guidance, you'll be able to navigate through difficult emotions and memories at a pace that feels comfortable to you, ensuring a gentle and transformative experience.
4. Versatile Application: EMDR is not limited to addressing specific traumas alone. It is also highly effective for phobias, performance anxiety, grief, addiction, and many other conditions. Whatever you've struggled with, EMDR therapy can serve as a powerful tool to help you overcome your challenges and improve your overall well-being.
5. Evidence-Based Approach: EMDR therapy is backed by extensive scientific research and is recognized by reputable organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA). Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in countless studies, making it a reliable choice when other therapies have fallen short.
How can EMDR help you?
EMDR can help people recover from present distressing events where past emotional painful experiences influence your present emotional state, effecting your thoughts and influencing your behaviors that get in the way of you living your life the way you want.
In a structured format EMDR helps you process negative images, emotions, feelings, painful memories, beliefs and body sensations associated with the traumatic memories that seem to be stuck or frozen and keep you looping the same behavior over and over again in your every day life…
In addition to its primary application in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related conditions, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has been adapted and used for a variety of other mental health issues and challenges.
While the evidence base may vary for some of these applications, EMDR has shown promising results in certain cases. Here are some of the areas where EMDR has been utilized:
Anxiety Disorders:
EMDR has been applied to treat various anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and panic disorder.
Depression:
Some therapists have used EMDR as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for individuals with depression, particularly when there is a history of trauma contributing to the depression.
Pain Management:
EMDR Therapy has been explored as a complementary approach to pain management, helping individuals cope with chronic pain conditions by addressing underlying emotional distress related to the pain.
Addictions:
EMDR has been utilized in the treatment of addiction, particularly for individuals who have experienced trauma that may be driving their substance abuse or other addictive behaviors.
Self-Esteem and Self-Concept Issues:
EMDR can be applied to work on negative self-beliefs and improve self-esteem and self-concept.
Performance Enhancement:
Some practitioners have used EMDR to help athletes, performers, and professionals improve their performance by addressing performance-related anxieties and traumas.
Phobias and Fears:
EMDR has been used to treat specific phobias and irrational fears by reprocessing the underlying traumatic experiences that may have triggered these intense reactions.
Grief and Loss:
EMDR has been explored as a tool to process grief and loss, helping individuals come to terms with the emotional pain associated with the death of a loved one or other significant losses.
Stress Reduction:
EMDR has been applied to reduce stress and increase resilience by addressing past traumatic experiences that contribute to ongoing stress responses.
Eating Disorders:
In some cases, EMDR has been used as part of the treatment plan for individuals with eating disorders, especially when there is a history of trauma related to body image or self-esteem.
It's important to note that while EMDR can be beneficial in these various areas, it is not a standalone treatment and is often integrated with other therapeutic approaches to address the specific needs of each individual.
As with any therapeutic intervention, it is crucial to work with a qualified mental health professional who can assess your specific needs and tailor the treatment plan accordingly.
The frequency of EMDR sessions typically ranges from one to two per week, comprising approximately 6 to 12 sessions in total. The specific number of sessions needed may vary, depending on your unique response to the therapy.
Get in touch with me for more information about my therapy services and how I can help you get back to feeling yourself again.
