Is EMDR for me?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful and effective psychotherapy approach used to help people heal from trauma. Whether it’s due to a single traumatic event, such as an accident or assault, or ongoing distress, like childhood abuse or emotional neglect, EMDR is recognized as one of the most successful treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related disorders.

What is EMDR?

EMDR was developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s after she noticed that rapid eye movements seemed to reduce the intensity of distressing thoughts. This observation led her to create a structured therapeutic approach combining cognitive-behavioral techniques with bilateral stimulation (often in the form of guided eye movements).

At its core, EMDR is based on the idea that traumatic memories are not processed properly when they occur. Instead, they remain stuck in the brain as vivid, distressing images, sounds, and emotions, causing the individual to experience ongoing emotional or physical reactions, even long after the event has passed. EMDR aims to "reprocess" these memories, helping individuals integrate them into their life story in a healthier way.

How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR therapy typically involves eight phases, but the most notable and well-known part of the process is the use of bilateral stimulation. This is where the eye movements come in. During a session, the therapist will ask the client to recall the traumatic memory while following the therapist’s fingers or lightbar with their eyes (or sometimes using other forms of bilateral stimulation, such as tapping or auditory tones). This stimulation is believed to help facilitate the brain’s natural healing processes, allowing the person to process the trauma more effectively.

The therapist works with the individual to process each memory, replacing the negative beliefs associated with the trauma with more positive, adaptive thoughts. This helps reduce the intensity of the distress tied to those memories, decreasing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and even panic attacks.

The goal of EMDR is to help the client move from a state of emotional dysregulation (such as hypervigilance, emotional numbing, or intrusive thoughts) to a place of emotional resolution. People who undergo EMDR often report feeling less distressed, more in control, and better able to handle triggers and memories related to the trauma.

Why Choose EMDR?

EMDR is not only for those with PTSD—it can be beneficial for individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, phobias, and even chronic pain. One of the significant advantages of EMDR is that it doesn’t require individuals to constantly talk about the trauma in detail, making it easier for those who find it difficult to verbalize their experiences.

Overall, EMDR offers a unique and effective way to heal from trauma, helping individuals reclaim control over their lives and move toward emotional balance. If you're struggling with past trauma, it may be worth considering as part of your healing journey.

We hope that you enjoyed reading our blog post! Here at Connections Counseling in Colorado Springs, our team strives to provide compassionate mental health care through psychoeducation and empathetic therapy sessions. Our therapists are working on learning and refining their counseling methods everyday to provide the best mental health care to our patients. Weekly, we will be adding more blog posts regarding counseling ideology and psychoeducation with articles on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Anxiety, Depression, Stress Management and much more! 

Located in South Colorado Springs, Connections Counseling is here to help!

Call us today!

719-428-5125

Accepted insurances: AETNA PPO, Cigna PPO, United Health Care, as well as any insurance currently accepted by Sondermind.com

Services:

Individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and group therapy; EMDR