Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is used to treat trauma. EMDR is unique because it doesn’t require you to speak about a traumatic event. If you have been struggling with a challenge but have been hesitant to try other therapies because the thought of talking about a situation seems too painful, EMDR may be one option to consider.
Is EMDR Therapy Effective?
EMDR can be effective as an early intervention for symptoms after a traumatic event. This therapy could also be effective for personality disorders. While this therapy is considered safe for individuals of all ages, research is ongoing to find out more about the benefits of EMDR therapy.
Many people turn to EMDR because they may feel better after only a few sessions, but how long therapy lasts can depend on a few factors. At Merrimack Valley Psychological Associates, our therapist Brandon Shea specializes in EMDR treatment and offers tailored plans to address your condition.
What Can EMDR Therapy Treat?
EMDR is often used to address post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it can also be used for:
- Depression disorders
- Eating disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Personality disorders
- Adjustment disorder
- Dissociative disorders
- Acute stress disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related conditions
How EMDR Heals Trauma
Our minds store non-traumatic memories so they get connected to other, appropriate ideas. This makes your mind feel the memory is over and complete. With traumatic events, this process is disrupted, and your mind can’t heal from the trauma. As a result, the event never feels “over,” and triggers can cause the painful memory to re-emerge.
With EMDR, you think back on the traumatic memory, but you receive specific instructions about how to move your eyes. The idea is that you “process” the memory in a healthier way, so you repair the injury from the event.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
In each session, you will focus on one memory at a time, and some memories may take multiple sessions to resolve. You will bring up a specific memory and identify the negative self-belief that has come from it. You will also identify a positive self-belief you would prefer to feel.
As you remember the traumatic memory, your therapist will lead you through a series of eye movements, taps and sounds to help you reprocess the traumatic memory. Then, you will focus on the positive self-belief you want to install. For example, if a childhood traumatic event made you feel powerless, desensitization should lessen that feeling of powerlessness, and you may work on feeling in control now, as an adult.
As you reflect on your traumatic memory and your positive self-belief, you will also reflect on how you feel in your body. If you experience any tension or other symptoms, your therapist will work with you to resolve these.
Contact Us to Learn More About EMDR
If you’d like to explore EMDR more, speak to a clinician at Merrimack Valley Psychological Associates today. We offer flexible treatments for a range of conditions in a supportive setting.
Reviewed By
Dr. David Rainen, PsyD.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with an extensive background treating a variety of different ages, situations, emotional and mental health disorders in individuals and their families. As part of my 10 year professional and training career in psychology, I have developed and refined my skills and approaches through my work in a variety of diverse settings including: hospitals, community outpatient facilities, college counseling centers, secure and unsecure inpatient/residential treatment programs, and therapeutic day schools.