Finding an EMDR Therapist Near Me
EMDR is one of the fastest-growing treatments for trauma and is now being utilized to treat anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Finding an EMDR therapist near you who meets both your needs and budget is essential; this will guarantee that you get the most out of each therapy session and feel comfortable with them as a result.
Your therapist should have extensive experience and certification, in addition to possessing various other skillsets. They must also be able to work with you according to your individual needs and preferences. Your EMDR therapist should offer the care and support needed for addressing problems and making progress towards living the life you desire.
They should possess extensive expertise in trauma therapy and be able to assess you for an appropriate starting point for treatment. They must explain the process of EMDR, including its various phases and how they interplay together.
At your initial session, your therapist will take a comprehensive history and pinpoint any traumatic events that you wish to focus on during EMDR. They then assess your current emotional and physical wellbeing, creating an individualized treatment plan.
The initial phase of EMDR involves grounding exercises and visualization. This is designed to make you aware of how your body responds when you think about negative beliefs or feelings associated with your traumatic event.
At this stage, you may feel anxious or dysregulated. Your therapist will work with you to identify ways of calming your body by focusing on a peaceful image. Once they’re sure that you’re comfortable with what’s being pictured, they’ll use bilateral stimulation (eye movements) to help alter how the brain processes memories or related thoughts and emotions.
Therapy sessions can range anywhere from three to more than ten. Your therapist will determine the number of sessions necessary for you based on individual circumstances, and they’ll work with you towards reaching your objectives throughout this time together.
In this phase, your therapist will utilize bilateral stimulation to desensitize you from memories by inducing rapid eye movement (REM). They also encourage you to explore and recall distressing experiences in a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere.
It is essential to recognize that this phase is only temporary and does not erase the traumatic memory from your mind. It can, however, help reduce any negative emotions attached to that memory and replace them with more positive ones.
Once your EMDR sessions have concluded, your therapist will reevaluate your progress. They’ll assess any new skills acquired during the sessions, address any worries or queries, and suggest additional sessions if needed to reach your objectives.
Your therapist will provide you with resources and tools to use between sessions to continue your healing journey. They may offer suggestions for managing symptoms now as well as strategies to avoid them in the future, along with coping skills to manage any stressors that come your way.
