EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, evidenced-based therapy approach that can help treat trauma, anxiety, depression, and even chronic pain.
EMDR works by reprocessing distressing images, thoughts, feelings, and body sensations in the present moment so they no longer impact you outside of therapy sessions.
The process relies on dual awareness, in which you remain aware of the safety and connection of your present moment in therapy, while simultaneously addressing past trauma or struggles. You can think of this as having one foot in the present and one foot in the past.
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Bilateral stimulation (BLS) is the key to this process. It may look like rapid eye movements or physically tapping on your arms or legs while listening to audio cues to activate both sides of your brain as well during therapy.
Traditionally, EMDR therapy has been applied to the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from traumatic events such as sexual assault, auto accidents, or combat experiences. More recently, EMDR therapy has been adapted for application to a wide range of diagnoses and conditions like anxiety, depression, chronic pain, eating disorders, and addictions.
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We all have negative thoughts and feelings that may appear in our present life, usually from unprocessed past experiences. Even if you haven't experienced a traumatic event, EMDR can help you process "sticky" or "unprocessed" things that still impact you to this day so that you can show up as your most regulated, authentic adult self. Everyone can benefit from this trauma-informed and safe approach to healing.
EMDR can help you feel not only neutral toward the disturbing event in your life but also positive, with new insights and an increased sense of resolution.
Rather than talking about the event or your struggles over and over again in therapy sessions, EMDR allows your brain and body to process your feelings and memories in a safe way without needing to verbalize every detail.
This allows you to go deeper than traditional talk therapy.
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While it is technically possible to do EMDR on yourself, it is not advised for numerous reasons.
EMDR is a trauma treatment modality meant to be facilitated by a trauma therapist. The processing of traumatic events can activate hard-wired responses of flight, fight, and freeze, impacting your ability to come back into the window of tolerance.
If you are doing EMDR on yourself, there is a lot to manage and keep track of, like the length and duration of BLS, negative cognition, disturbance level, and bodily sensations.
Interested in EMDR therapy? Read our tips for getting started
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Often, people who request EMDR counseling want to jump directly into the “big stuff” or the traumatic event because they understandably want to feel better right away. However, healing from trauma takes time, and for change to be effective, it’s imperative to move through each step.
One benefit of EMDR is that it does not require that you tell the trauma story in great detail. Once you are in a place to do deep healing work, you won’t have to spend hours going into content and constantly staying in the mode of talk therapy. Instead, you’ll visualize the trauma and track your bodily sensations, thoughts, and images. internally
EMDR therapy relies on eight phases of treatment. Each phase in the process provides benchmarks for success where you can see tangible changes in your life from the first session on.
EMDR Therapy is Ideal for you if:
You’ve experience with traditional talk therapy and want to take things deeper.
You’re struggling to break patterns from your past that impact your present.
You’ve experienced a recent traumatic event and want to make sure there are no lasting impacts.
You are ready to address your past to build a more positive future.
You are motivated to try something different and want to repattern your response patterns.
You’ve tried EMDR in the past and know that it’s a helpful tool to create lasting results.
The Eight Phases of EMDR Treatment
EMDR therapy has eight phases, all with equal importance. Often, people will request EMDR and want to go directly into the “big stuff” or the traumatic events.
Healing trauma takes time, and for change to be effective, it’s imperative to move slowly. EMDR is a slow, transformative, collaborative process.
Phase One
History taking and treatment planning. During this phase, we will get to know your past and help you get comfortable with the EMDR process and with your EMDR therapist.
Phase Two
Preparation when you’ll learn the resources and mental skills to help react calmly and manage triggers outside of therapy sessions.
Phase Three
Assessment when we look for a “cluster” of memories to focus on, all with a similar negative core belief. Each memory will become a “target” that you’ll work on in the desensitization phase of therapy.
Phase Four
Desensitization when you’ll reprocess those “target” memories. You’ll be asked to recall the memory using bilateral stimulation (BLS). You’ll experience BLS for about 30 seconds, followed by a brief reflection on what just happened. We repeat this process until the memory in question is no longer dysregulating.
Phase Five
Installation when you’ll have the chance to “install” a belief about yourself and the situation that is more positive and not dysregulating.
Phase Six
Body scan, during which you’ll think of the incident and the positive belief developed during the installation phase. You’ll check your body’s physiological responses to see if feelings of stress or discomfort remain.
Phase Seven
Closure when we’ll make sure you are regulated to move out into the world and take time to notice a sense of completion around an event that once disturbed you and is no longer distressing.
Phase Eight
Reevaluation when you’ll evaluate the reprocessing and assess if there are any issues left to tackle.
EMDR Resources
During the preparation phase of EMDR, you will get the chance to develop “resources” with your counselor that will help you handle the frightening and sometimes overwhelming emotions you may experience.
These resources include deciding what a “safe place” looks like for you, where your body and mind can feel at ease and relaxed should you need it. The process of containment is another resource that enables you to keep your memories sort of “boxed” in mentally, so you can keep them there when you are not actively engaged in processing them.
Other resources provide support that helps calm and nurture you during the therapy process which can have life-long benefits as well. Over time, you will be able to develop an increased window of tolerance, which is the ability to stay with distress without it holding you back from living your life.
EMDR Can Support:
Addictions
Grief & Loss
Divorce or separation
Inner child work
Manifestation blocks
Trauma related to assault, abuse, neglect (PTSD)
Painful childhood experiences, childhood/attachment trauma (CPTSD)
Self-esteem concerns
Stress, anxiety, phobias, panic, OCD
Depression and negative self-talk
Recovery from accidents/injuries, chronic pain/illness, medical trauma
Burnout in helping professionals
Performance and creativity enhancement
EMDR Works In Conjunction With Other Therapeutic Modalities
In addition to the eight phases of the process, your EMDR therapist will often utilize other modalities that include:
Somatic Therapy
The study of the interactions among brain, mind, body, and behavior and how these interactions impact psychological and physical health.
Mindfulness-based Therapy
An approach that promotes mindful awareness of the body while emphasizing an attitude of non-judgment and curiosity.
Polyvagal Theory
Rooted in an understanding of the autonomic nervous system, this model helps clients understand that physiological responses often determine behaviors and emotional experiences, especially those related to trauma.
Clients began to make changes in their lives that they didn't think were possible, all the while having a neutral or even positive relationship with difficult memories of the past. We also offer EMDR intensives in New York City and virtually for those looking to make a large impact in a short amount of time.
We highly recommend EMDR treatment and look forward to seeing the benefits it will have for you.
Book A Call
With An EMDR Therapist Today
Speak with Julie Goldberg,
Third Nature Therapy Founder
and EMDR Therapist.
KIND WORDS
OUR RATES
While we don’t accept insurance in our practice, we do offer Superbills and partner with Thrizer, a platform that seamlessly helps you navigate out-of-network therapy to save time and money on reimbursement.
NOTES FROM THE BLOG
You Can Cultivate A More Peaceful And Mindful Life
It’s hard being a human.
Whether you need support in moving through trauma, navigating totally normal stressors in life, or are interested in expanding your consciousness, Third Nature Therapy can help you heal and connect with your most authentic self.
Call us at 720-689-2706 or visit our contact page to set up a complimentary 15-minute consultation session and begin your healing journey.