Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy for treating emotional trauma and mental health issues. It is a non-invasive approach that stimulates the brain through eye movements, sounds, and touch. An EMDR therapy program has been shown to help reduce psychological distress by reprocessing traumatic memories so that the client can gain a better understanding of the event and develop coping skills.
At Connections Wellness Group, we offer a range of mental health services—including EMDR therapy—to help clients find relief from a variety of mental health issues, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other traumatic experiences. Call 877.747.4294 to learn how we can help you or a loved one today.
What Is EMDR Therapy for Mental Health Treatment?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress resulting from disturbing life experiences. EMDR is an advanced therapy technique designed to heal the symptoms of trauma, PTSD, and other emotional conditions. EMDR has been backed by the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Extensive research has shown clients undergoing treatment utilizing EMDR protocols are able to enjoy the longevity of decreased symptoms that were once interpreted as chronic and that no other form of talk therapy can offer, leading to remarkable clinical success.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
EMDR works by stimulating the brain through eye movements, sounds, and touch while the client is recalling a traumatic event. EMDR helps to process memories of trauma that may be affecting present functioning, including intrusive thoughts or flashbacks. It uses bilateral stimulation (BLS), which includes side-to-side eye movements, alternating tones, or alternating hand tapping. During an EMDR therapy session, the therapist will guide the client to focus on the traumatic event and its associated emotions while also engaging in bilateral stimulation to help reprocess and reframe the memory.
What Are The Benefits of an EMDR Therapy Program?
The primary benefit of EMDR is that it can help reduce psychological distress associated with traumatic memories. Through reprocessing and reframing, EMDR can help to reduce symptoms like:
- Intrusive thoughts
- Nightmares
- Hyperarousal
- Avoidance
Additionally, EMDR therapy is often used in conjunction with other forms of talk therapy to help clients gain insight into their behavior patterns and work toward achieving their goals.
What to Expect from an EMDR Therapy Program
At Connections Wellness Group we are dedicated to helping our clients heal from emotional trauma and mental health issues. Our EMDR therapy program is designed to help reduce psychological distress and offer lasting results for those struggling with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges
EMDR is typically broken down into a few phases:
- Phase 1 – History gathering sessions
- Phase 2 – Assessment of stress tolerance and preparing for desensitization and reprocessing
- Phases 3 through 6 – Targeting a traumatic event, then desensitizing and reprocessing said memory
- Phases 7 & 8 – Evaluation and closure when the targeted memory has been completely reprocessed.
Expect a specially trained therapist to walk you through each phase of EMDR. While EMDR is a step-based process, time spent in each phase varies based on the specific needs of the client. Expect to learn more about negative cognitions of self and replace them with healthier constructs.
Who Could Benefit from an EMDR Therapy Program?
While EMDR is best known for treating PTSD and trauma, it can also be adapted to treat the following concerns successfully:
- Substance Use and Risky Behaviors
- Anxiety
- OCD and Related Disorders
- Attachment Issues
- Chronic Pain
EMDR is not recommended for individuals living with epilepsy due to the use of Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) and mechanisms in the brain that are stimulated in the desensitization phase of EMDR.
Contact Connections Wellness Group – EMDR Therapy Program
Sometimes the decision to seek treatment is easy, but sometimes it takes incredible courage. Trust that our team is dedicated to you and your loved ones. You are one call, or email, away from being connected back to what matters most to you.
We have a team of exceptionally trained EMDR Therapists capable of utilizing the detailed protocols of EMDR. We accept most insurance plans.
Do not wait to seek treatment if you or a loved one are struggling with mental health concerns. Call 877.747.4294 or request an appointment online to get started with Connections Wellness Group and see if an EMDR Therapy Program is right for you.