What Is EMDR Therapy? Trauma, PTSD & Anxiety Treatment Guide

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy, short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a type of psychotherapy that is used to treat persistent traumatic memories patients struggle to move on from. It is a relatively recent discovery, as research into EMDR started in the 1980s, and it is now considered one of the primary treatments available for PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and trauma-based disorders.

But what is the mechanics behind it? Why is EMDR therapy this effective?

How Does EMDR Therapy Work?

In an EMDR session, the therapist guides you through what we call bilateral eye movements but in the context of tapping or sounds as you recall unpleasant memories. The trauma gets less distressing as one continues to “reprocess” their memory. Consider helping your mind “digest” trauma like the body dines on food; Taking something overwhelming and transforming it into something manageable.

EMDR Therapy for PTSD

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is characterized by the occurrence of severe flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional breakdowns and one case of EMDR therapy for PTSD is it seeks to treat the actual traumatic memories responsible for these symptoms.

There is a colossal amount of clinical evidence proving that EMDR therapy successfully alleviates symptoms of PTSD for individuals with long-standing struggles.

Benefits include

Reduced flashbacks and panic attacks
Improved sleep and better emotional control
Enhanced thought and behavioral control

EMDR Therapy for Anxiety and Trauma

EMDR is often associated with PTSD, but it can be extremely beneficial for:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Social anxiety
Panic attacks
Childhood trauma
Performance anxiety

EMDR aids in relieving anxiety by targeting the experiential roots and negative beliefs that perpetuate emotional tension, helping to free the distress that can often be trapped within the nervous system.

What to Expect in an EMDR Session

Sessions last about 60-90 minutes
You will work with a certified EMDR therapist.
You will select a troubling memory and identify associated negative beliefs
The therapist moves your sight or hearing focus while you concentrate on the memory.
The emotion connected to the memory is, over time, reduced until it no longer holds significant intensity.
You remain fully awake and in command throughout the procedure.

Is EMDR Therapy Right for You?

For anyone struggling with anxiety, trauma, or PTSD, EMDR might provide the solution if other talk therapies tend to be ineffective. The method is fast acting and non-invasive, not requiring detailed discussions about trauma if the patient is unprepared.

The EMDR therapy technique is of tremendous help to those struggling with trauma, PTSD, or anxiety disorders. If you’re experiencing any form of abuse, panic attacks or unresolved emotional suffering, EMDR can induce your brain to repurpose the pain into tranquility.

If you are interested in experiencing the benefits of EMDR therapy, feel free to schedule a no-obligation consultation with our licensed trauma therapists and embark on your healing journey.

What Is EMDR Therapy? How It Helps with PTSD, Anxiety & Trauma