3 Benefits of EMDR Therapy
What is EMDR?
Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy treatment that is used to work through and process traumatic and upsetting memories, events, and beliefs. If your brain has not fully processed past traumatic experiences in a healthy way, you can develop long-lasting symptoms that impact your life negatively. When something reminds your brain and body of past trauma, your brain reacts as if it is happening again and this often leads to anxiety, panic, nightmares, flashbacks, etc. EMDR therapy works to reduce these symptoms that are caused by trauma by allowing your brain to process these past traumatic events and experiences effectively.
EMDR therapy involves the use of side-to-side eye movements, tapping, sounds, or other forms of bi-lateral stimulation while calling to mind the past experiences causing you distress. This allows for reprocessing to take place and your brain can begin to heal itself. EMDR therapy allows your brain to reprocess these experiences in a healthy, adaptive way so that stress and anxiety can be reduced and you can heal from the past and move forward.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
Effective Trauma Treatment
EMDR is most commonly used in the treatment of trauma and upsetting memories. By reshaping how you view and process past events, you can have significant relief of symptoms and be able to move forward in your life without the past getting in your way. EMDR can be done with very little talking, so this is often a benefit for those who have difficulty remembering or talking about past traumatic or difficult experiences.
Improved Self-Esteem and Confidence
EMDR can be helpful in breaking through the shame cycle and negative thoughts that can lead to low self-esteem, self-criticism, and self-doubt. This therapy looks at what has formed and shaped these beliefs in your mind and then allows for the reprocessing of them in order to create healthier, more positive beliefs about yourself and others.
Effective in Treating a Variety of Mental Health Challenges
While EMDR has been primarily used to treat trauma, it is effective and used regularly to treat a variety of other mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, eating disorders, performance anxiety, and more. It is important to discuss your symptoms with a trained EMDR therapist to determine if you are a good candidate for EMDR therapy.
If you are interested in EMDR therapy and would like to learn more, I would love to chat!
Schedule a free consultation with me by clicking HERE.
With love,
Hannah
Note: Everything posted here is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for individualized mental health treatment. If you would like to start therapy with me, click HERE.
