Introduction: What Is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a psychotherapy that utilizes a clients memory of traumatic or negative experiences to understand how their mind reacts to the emotions associated with these experiences. This form of psychotherapy helps a client build new paths of understanding their emotional and mental states by reprocessing the trauma responses that naturally occur into healthier coping mechanisms.
How Does EMDR Work?
In traditional therapy, when a client is asked to recall their traumatic or negative experience it likely means that the client will be asked to retell the experience to gain perspective and tools on how to heal moving forward. When EMDR is involved, instead of the client extensively speaking on their experience they will be asked to follow a series of hand movements while explaining their perspective of their trauma. While following these hand movements, the client will express a number of body and facial reactions that the therapist can use to understand which point of movement is most associated with the negative feelings that follow the traumatic experience. Through EMDR a therapist will be able to accurately pinpoint where exactly the clients “flight or fight” response is activated and move the conversation towards more positive experiences. The goal of an EMDR session is to allow the client room to learn how to decrease their stress levels while distancing themselves from the negative emotions that stem from their trauma.
Who Can Benefit From EMDR?
EMDR therapy should never feel exclusive or unobtainable; it is meant for those who are willing to branch out and learn new ways of living a healthy lifestyle while still maintaining their healing journey. This type of psychotherapy can be utilized for both traumatic experiences and everyday anxiety or depression. It is important to consider that when something triggers memories of your trauma, the “flight or fight” response is your body reacting to what is perceived to be an immediate threat. While this reaction is important for keeping you safe and sane, when it is relied on as a coping mechanism it can cause confusion and stress on your mind and body. Giving yourself the room to grow and heal without feeling pressured to strenuously recall your traumatic experience may be the thing you need to move past your anxieties and worries and start living your life again. Below are some common areas that EMDR can help with:
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Panic Attacks
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Dissociative or Personality Disorders
- History with violence or abuse
- Issues with sleep and rest
Providing New Opportunities To Heal
Whether you are new to therapy or you have been attending for years, EMDR could be a new path for you to find the method of healing that feels most genuine to you. At Amy Robbins Counseling we want to provide you with the safe space you need to begin building a healthier and happier foundation of trust within yourself. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Amy or Margaret so we can assist you in whatever tools and resources you may need to be successful in your healing journey and to learn more about our EMDR therapy services in Atlanta.