The Basics of EMDR: Resolving the Effects of Severe Trauma

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a relatively new method used to reprocess traumatic experiences in order to give one a new perspective. It has been acknowledged as a valuable trauma treatment by certain American organizations – the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA), the Department of Defense, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). It is an eight-phase treatment that only trained and certified therapists and counselors are qualified to use.

What Happens During EMDR

Phases I – III: Identifying the trauma and triggers to traumatic memories and/or symptoms. You and your therapist will work together to develop ways in which to effectively manage any distressing emotions you may be experiencing, these emotions can be brought on at times by trauma triggers. You will also be empowered to develop new positive associations with images connected to your trauma. These associations are your own beliefs and personal views surrounding your experience, not those of your therapist.

Phase IV: Desensitizing the trauma. You will be asked to bring up the traumatic experience in your mind while your therapist introduces external stimuli such as pulsing lights or tapping on the knees (bilateral stimulation). The purpose of this is to integrate the right brain and left brain, allowing you to have feelings while processing logical beliefs surrounding the traumatic experience. This process is repeated multiple times until recalling the traumatic experience is no longer as distressing.

Phase V: Creating new positive thoughts. Your therapist will ask you to focus on the traumatic event and the new positive thoughts that have been developed. The clinician will continue bilateral stimulation until you feel that your positive associations are legitimate.

Phase VI: Resolving residual discomfort. This is when you will be asked to pinpoint residual discomfort that the traumatic memory may still evoke. This phase will continue until you feel you are able to discuss about the trauma without discomfort.

Phase VII: Achieving stability. You will learn techniques to sustain your new found emotional stability.

Phase VIII: Assessment. Your therapist will assess progress and explore whether there are other areas you wish to address.

Who can benefit from EMDR?

EMDR has been proven effective in helping people with PTSD. You may also benefit from EMDR if you are recovering from the trauma of physical or psychological abuse, sexual abuse and rape, loss of a loved one, accidents, or disasters. It may also be used effectively to help if you are experiencing distress related to marital infidelity, phobias, or abuse during their childhood.

Access to EMDR

If you or a loved one is suffering from PTSD from any type of unresolved trauma, you may be relieved to know that EMDR, a new, effective approach, is now available for you. Neither you nor your loved one has to keep living with painful memories and their symptoms. With Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville, NC you can get the support and treatment you deserve. Licensed, independently contracted, caring and qualified clinicians are available. Make that call and take the first step towards healing with EMDR and CCS.

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