What Exactly is EMDR?
What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing ( EMDR)?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, is a type of therapy that is used to help address distress caused by traumatic memories and the emotions that typically accompany those memories. For example, a person may seek EMDR therapy following a car crash to treat memories of the crash itself as well as feelings of panic, anxiety, feeling on edge, or flashbacks that follow the car crash. EMDR utilizes the use of eye movement, or other forms of movement, to reprocess traumatic memories.
EMDR has been extensively researched and is recognized by several major mental health and health organizations such as the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization as an effective means to treat traumatic memories and related symptoms.
How is EMDR Different than Traditional Therapy?
While traditional therapies focus on talking about traumatic events, troubling emotions, and self-defeating relationship patterns that often stem from trauma, EMDR focuses on allowing the brain space to process these experiences. Thus, a skilled EMDR therapist will provide a supportive presence and facilitate eye movement while the client processes traumatic events. Eye movement allows the brain to process information as it was intended; without the therapist’s interpretations, challenges, or own perceptions getting in the way. Additionally, a skilled EMDR therapist will help clients build practical tools to help with regulating their emotions during, and after, reprocessing of traumatic memories.
What Symptoms or Concerns Can EMDR Address?
EMDR was originally designed to help process traumatic memories and reduce emotional distress caused by these memories. However, EMDR has been found in the research to be an effective treatment for:
PTSD
Complex trauma
Anxiety
Panic
Depression
Habit changes
Chronic pain
Addiction
EMDR at Thrive
Thrive Marriage and Family Counseling currently has two therapists who utilize EMDR. Josh and Sam use EMDR and related approaches to assist clients with learning about how their nervous system and brain respond to trauma, develop new emotional strategies and skills to help with distress, reprocess traumatic memories, and apply these skills to everyday relationships.
Josh Gieger and Sam Sanchez are currently accepting new clients for EMDR and would love to support you this effective method of therapy and freeing you from these distressing symptoms that keep lingering in your life.
Written by Josh Gieger, SWC
Thrive Marriage & Family Counseling
Grand Junction, CO