Last year over 40 million Americans received mental health services. But not all mental health services are the same and different types of therapy work for different people.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a relatively new treatment method with promising results among men and women that have experienced trauma. If you are interested in learning more about EMDR therapy and whether it’s right for you, keep reading.
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What Is EMDR Therapy?
The name is complicated, but the idea is simple when you break it down further. EMDR is a type of psychotherapy indicated for PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The goal of EMDR is to process memories from previous experiences that have not been adequately processed yet.
Through EMDR the patient is able to change the way that the negative memory is stored in his or her brain. While typical therapy focuses on emotions, EMDR is unique because it allows the individual to process the memory and the emotions associated with it. When a person relives a traumatic event while distracted by something else, it is often less upsetting.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR therapy consists of sessions with a licensed professional. During the first few sessions, the therapist will collect information about the patient including the traumatic memory. After that, the therapist will help the patient prepare for EMDR treatment with deep breathing exercises or mindfulness practice.
During EMDR treatment sessions the therapist asks the patient to focus on a negative memory while doing specific eye movements. Then, the therapist instructs the patient to clear their mind and notice thoughts and feelings. Over time, the distressing memories may become less distressing for the patient.
Is EMDR Right for Me?
EMDR therapy is indicated for several mental health conditions and each type may be a little different. So, EMDR therapy for anxiety might be different from EMDR therapy for PTSD.
EMDR can also help a person struggling with
- Childhood Trauma
- Grief
- Panic attacks
- Depression
If you have any of these conditions, you may benefit from working with an EMDR therapist.
Does EMDR Therapy Work?
Like other forms of therapy, EMDR does not work for every person in every situation. However, recent studies on EMDR and PTSD suggest that it can help individuals reduce symptoms of PTSD including hallucinations, anxiety, and depression. The only way to know whether EMDR works is to try it for yourself.
Be Kind to Your Mind
Seeking therapy can be difficult but it could be exactly what you need to start feeling better. EMDR therapy is a specific type of therapy that focuses on processing previously unprocessed traumatic memories to make them less distressing.
EMDR treatment may be able to help people with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Learn more about EMDR and other therapy options on our website or contact us for a free consultation.
