Whether you are suffering from a mental health condition, are a mental health professional, or are simply interested in keeping up with mental health and psychotherapy trends, chances are that you’ve heard of EMDR therapy.
But what is EMDR therapy, exactly? Read on as we are going to unpack its meaning as well as uncover five of the main benefits of this type of therapy.
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What Is EMDR Therapy? Some Background to Help You Understand
Developed by US psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR is an acronym that stands for “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing”. While it was originally created to treat specific disorders such as PTSD, it is now widely (and successfully) used for a broader range of traumatic symptoms and conditions.
During an EMDR session, the therapist will ask you to recollect some memories that you associate with a distressing, traumatic event. He or she will then direct the movement of your eyes back and forth, which is meant to help you to reprocess your upsetting memories and turn them into more neutral or positive ones.
The continuous exposure to and recollection of upsetting memories aims to decrease their negative effects on your psyche. Now, let’s take a look at some of the most impressive advantages of EMDR therapy.
1. It’s Quick and Effective
EMDR is not a quick fix. However, this type of therapy can generate some pretty amazing effects after only a couple of sessions. Its high effectiveness has been proven by several studies and continues to be one of its strongest points.
2. It Helps to Recover From Trauma
Although it is now used to treat a variety of mental illnesses, EMDR works particularly well for people who are trying to heal from trauma. War veterans, victims of sexual abuse, and people who have experienced sudden and traumatic bereavements can hugely benefit from EMDR.
3. It Allows You to Eliminate Your Self-Limiting Beliefs
Most people have at least a few negative beliefs about themselves and the world, but for some of us, they can become debilitating. EMDR therapy allows you to reconfigure your self-limiting beliefs and gain more confidence in yourself.
4. It Gives You the Tools to Cope With Future Stresses
A series of EMDR sessions might be short, but its benefits are long-lasting and transferable. The tools, techniques, and coping strategies that you learn during your treatment will stay with you for life and help you overcome any future stresses that you might encounter.
5. It Can Be Paired With Other Therapies
Are you interested in potentially starting EMDR therapy treatment, but don’t want to give up on your current psychotherapy sessions? Good news: the nature of EMDR makes it great to be paired with other therapies, in particular with CBT, so you can incorporate both therapy methods at the same time.
Start Healing With EMDR Therapy
Regardless of what specific mental health condition may be affecting you, EMDR therapy can help. In just a few sessions it is highly likely that you will notice positive results, and will have new helpful tools and knowledge needed to face any future challenges that life may throw at you.
If you would like to try EMDR therapy, or simply find out whether it’s for you, then get in touch with us today. Our therapists will be delighted to discuss your concerns, goals, and recommend the best therapy approach for you.
