In our fast-paced, ever-evolving world, the effects of trauma and stress often echo in our minds long after the event. Unresolved distressing experiences can lead to symptoms that may disrupt daily life, relationships, and our sense of well-being. If you or someone you know has struggled with the lingering effects of trauma, anxiety, or past events, you may have come across a powerful and transformative therapy called EMDR. At Creekside Counseling & Wellness, we offer EMDR therapy as a cornerstone approach to healing and self-discovery, working closely with clients who have faced trauma, anxiety, and more.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a psychotherapy method developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. Originally designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), EMDR has since evolved into a versatile therapeutic tool with applications in a wide range of mental health challenges. EMDR therapy focuses on the idea that traumatic memories are not always processed adequately when they occur. Instead, they can become “stuck,” leading to emotional distress and other symptoms. EMDR jumpstarts the brain’s natural healing process and aims to “unstick” these memories by reprocessing them with more adaptive information resulting in symptom relief and a reduction in their emotional impact on your daily life.
Understanding the Mechanics of EMDR Therapy
At the core of EMDR is a process known as bilateral stimulation (BLS). BLS typically involves stimulating the brain with eye movements or tapping mimicking REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep while taxing the brain’s working memory. EMDR gives the brain a second chance to work through the distressing event with new adaptive information. Clients are asked to recall a distressing memory and engage in BLS with ongoing support and guidance from a trained therapist. During EMDR, the memory itself is not erased or forgotten, but rather loses its emotional intensity, making it easier for individuals to experience it without overwhelming distress.
What to Expect During an EMDR Session
When you begin EMDR therapy, the first session involves gathering your history, exploring your goals, and discussing what’s troubling you. For example, if you’re coming in to address a recent trauma, we’ll identify key moments, sensations, and feelings connected to that experience. From there, we’ll guide you through eight phases:
- History Taking and Treatment Planning – This involves discussing your experiences, symptoms, and therapy goals.
- Preparation – We’ll introduce EMDR, discuss what to expect, and build “resources” and skills to prepare you for the healing journey.
- Assessment – Together, we identify the memory or event to focus on, along with negative beliefs or sensations tied to it.
- Desensitization – Here, BLS (such as eye movements) begins while you recall the memory, allowing the brain to start reprocessing.
- Installation – Positive beliefs replace negative ones as the brain incorporates the new, less distressing, and adaptive perspective.
- Body Scan – Checking your physical sensations, we ensure the distress has truly diminished.
- Closure – Each session ends by ensuring you feel stable and supported, with techniques to handle any residual stress.
- Reevaluation – At the next session, we revisit the memory to check that the distress has reduced or disappeared, and resume reprocessing as needed until the work on the identified target is complete.EMDR has a three-pronged approach, addressing both past, and present triggers, and any future concerns. EMDR is an evidence-based approach that addresses both the mind and the body, necessary for a complete healing experience.
How Does EMDR Help with Trauma and Anxiety?
Research shows that trauma can alter the brain, particularly in regions involved in memory and emotional regulation. EMDR helps the brain recalibrate, moving traumatic memories from a heightened emotional state into a more neutral space. This shift provides relief from symptoms like flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, and heightened anxiety, which are often found in trauma survivors. EMDR therapy can be effective for clients struggling with single traumatic events, such as car accidents or medical trauma, as well as more complex issues like childhood abuse or chronic anxiety.
For those experiencing generalized anxiety, panic attacks, or phobias, EMDR can be incredibly beneficial as well. While anxiety often stems from fear or overwhelming uncertainty, EMDR helps clients identify and reprocess the root causes of that anxiety, whether it’s a specific memory or an internalized belief. By addressing these sources, EMDR reduces anxiety’s hold over your thoughts and body, fostering a greater sense of control and calm.
Why EMDR? The Unique Benefits of This Therapy Include:
- Shorter Treatment Duration – Many clients find that EMDR works relatively quickly compared to other forms of therapy. Some experience relief in as few as
6-12 sessions, depending on the nature of their trauma or symptoms. - Non-Directive Process – In EMDR, the therapist does not give extensive interpretations or advice. Instead, they guide you through the reprocessing experience, allowing your mind to make connections naturally. This process can feel empowering, as it enables you to gain insight and healing without external influence.
- Reduces Physical Symptoms of Distress – EMDR often reduces physical symptoms that accompany anxiety and trauma, such as tension, headaches, digestive issues, and sleep disturbances.
- No Need to Give Specific Details – For those uncomfortable with discussing traumatic experiences at length or in detail, EMDR provides an alternative. The focus is on reprocessing the memory, allowing you to heal without having to go into detail about what happened. Often progress made with one event will generalize to other similar events.
Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy?
One of the remarkable aspects of EMDR therapy is its adaptability to a wide range of clients and challenges. EMDR can help people of various ages, including teenagers and adults. At Creekside Counseling & Wellness, we work with those affected by traumas both past or recent, grief, anxiety, and phobias. For many clients, EMDR can also
support personal growth and resilience-building.
Additionally, EMDR is well-suited for women’s issues, covering experiences related to relationships, motherhood, and self-worth. Women facing postpartum challenges, grief from pregnancy loss, or self-limiting beliefs often find EMDR offers a space to work through these unique experiences with compassion and empowerment.
EMDR Beyond Trauma: Exploring Its Expansive Applications
Beyond trauma, EMDR is also beneficial for enhancing everyday life areas, such as sports performance, overcoming self-limiting beliefs, and improving relationships. Many athletes use EMDR to break through mental barriers, overcoming fears of failure or past experiences that may hold them back from reaching their peak. This is especially valuable in high-pressure settings where mindset directly impacts performance. For anyone looking to release old mental “blocks,” EMDR therapy offers a promising solution.
Why Choose EMDR Therapy at Creekside Counseling & Wellness?
With EMDR Therapy as the cornerstone of our therapy approach, we know the importance of creating a supportive and welcoming environment for our clients. Whether you are dealing with PTSD, anxiety, or just feeling overwhelmed, our therapists are trained to offer compassionate, evidence-based support. Our focus is not only on managing symptoms but also on helping you find new ways to engage with life, build resilience, and discover the strengths within yourself.
We also believe in tailoring therapy to fit each client’s unique needs. In addition to EMDR, we integrate other complementary approaches and by being an out-of-network provider, we can offer traditional one-hour sessions, extended sessions as well as intensives (multiple sessions in one day). This flexibility makes it possible to adjust sessions to your pace, ensuring you feel secure and supported every step of the way.
Caring for Yourself Post EMDR Sessions: Practical Tips for New Clients
If you’re considering EMDR therapy, here are a few suggestions to help you prepare:
- Take Time for Self-Reflection – Reprocessing continues after a session as the brain continues to digest the work and heal. Take time before returning to your day-to-day to reflect on the work you are doing and the shift and connections you are noticing.
- Practice Grounding Techniques – EMDR sessions can be emotionally intense, your therapist will teach you techniques to help you on your healing journey (such as deep breathing or mindful observation). Using them when needed can help you feel stable and present.
- Set Aside Time for Self-Care – Because EMDR can bring up strong emotions, consider scheduling sessions when you have time afterward to rest and practice self-care.
- Trust the Process – EMDR can feel unconventional at first, but it’s a scientifically backed, effective approach to mental health. Trusting the process and being patient with yourself is essential to achieving lasting results.
Final Thoughts on EMDR Therapy
At Creekside Counseling & Wellness, we are passionate about guiding clients on their healing journey. EMDR therapy is a transformative approach that allows you to reprocess distressing memories and move forward with resilience, clarity, and confidence. If you’re curious to learn more about EMDR and how it can help you, reach out to Creekside Counseling & Wellness. Our therapists are here to answer any questions, explore your goals, and support you on the path to healing. We offer a free consultation call prior to scheduling to make sure this treatment approach is right for you. Remember, you don’t have to face these challenges alone. Schedule your consult call today, the first step in moving forward. Email us at [email protected].