EMDR Trauma Therapy: The Benefits and What to Expect
When analyzing the causes of trauma, the results cover a lot of ground. Such outcomes are increasingly common and very much require support and treatment. Unresolved trauma can leave a person burdened for years or even decades, and perhaps lead to a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD)
In either case, one of the most effective treatment options is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR has a stellar track record when it comes to reducing symptoms like intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, guilt, distrust, and emotional numbness. In as few as 6 or 8 sessions, a trauma survivor can experience life-enhancing change and healing.
What Is EMDR?
When most people contemplate the concept of therapy, they may conjure up images of lots of talking that takes place over lots of sessions. This approach is often accurate and very helpful. EMDR, however, breaks the mold. There’s talking, of course, but the core technique involves eye, hand, and finger movements, and it all takes place over relatively few sessions.
When EMDR is used to treat trauma, your experience may look something like this:
You will be asked to identify a specific, important negative memory related to the traumatic experience.
While you focus with single-minded concentration on this preselected thought, your EMDR therapist will move their fingers and hands in your field of vision.
When you carefully follow the therapist’s hand movement with your eyes (without moving your head), it will gently bring you into a state in which you can access a negative memory without getting triggered.
In this state, the suppressed image and the sensations it causes are more readily processed and resolved as you work to “replace” this memory with a positive thought that relates to healing from the experience.
Over the course of roughly 6 to 20 sessions, the EMDR procedure is repeated and measured as often as needed until you feel ready to move forward without any more treatment sessions.
3 Positive Aspects of EMDR
The benefits are long-term and sustainable. Of course, every case is different, but studies have found that, unlike medication, EMDR benefits do not require ongoing use. Sure, you will likely participate in periodic follow-up sessions. However, this is not a long commitment to talk therapy or prescriptions.
You’ll find yourself more likely to stick with the program. Because the protocol is brief and the results are immediately felt, EMDR inspires people to commit long enough to garner the kind of deep, sustainable results they are seeking.
Side effects are rarely an issue. Many people who seek treatment for trauma relief end up trying a range of medications. This will inevitably involve potentially disruptive side effects. With EMDR, if side effects emerge, they tend to be minor and very temporary. For example, in light of the work being done, you may experience an increase in negative memories. Also, vivid dreams and light-headedness are not unusual after the initial session. You will, of course, want to talk with your medical team in advance about this. But again, the track record is very promising.
Talking That First Step Toward Trying EMDR Trauma Therapy
When someone first hears about EMDR, it typically inspires a whole lot of questions. Trauma can feel too deeply embedded to be addressed in such a way and with such speed. Therefore, connecting with a trauma-informed therapist with training in EMDR is the ideal next step.
Getting your initial questions answered is possible during a free and confidential consultation. From there, you can decide to move forward with EMDR counseling. With all this in mind, I invite you to reach out soon.
