Trauma Therapy Techniques EMDR

Trauma Therapy Techniques EMDR

Trauma therapy techniques like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (emdr), are an effective treatment for traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They may also benefit people suffering from anxiety or phobias.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a non-invasive therapy that utilizes rapid eye movements to lessen the impact of emotionally charged memories. Developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in 1989, this trauma therapy treatment has been proven effective at relieving emotional distress and aiding individuals with various mental health conditions.

The EMDR process consists of eight steps: Assessment, Preparedness, Targeting, Body Scan, Desensitization and Reprocessing, Integration and Closure. These sessions are designed to assist clients develop coping strategies and regain control over their life.

In the initial phase, therapists and patients discuss how trauma has affected them. The therapist then evaluates each client’s readiness for EMDR therapy and creates a treatment plan tailored specifically to them.

Therapists then instruct patients on techniques for dealing with trauma. These may include guided imagery and deep breathing, which can help them better regulate their emotions.

Once the client has an understanding of how they have been affected by a traumatic event, they can focus on specific memory triggers for EMDR processing. These could include either something from their past or something present that causes emotional distress.

Once the therapist has identified and processed a memory that needs processing, they will ask you to focus on it while simultaneously experiencing rhythmic left-right stimulation (BLS) from various sources – such as eye movements, tapping, or tones.

This phase helps patients identify specific negative images, thoughts, and feelings associated with their target memory. Therapists may ask you to rate how intense these emotions feel.

You can use this information to assist your therapist in the reprocessing process. They can identify a positive belief associated with the mental image of the target memory and rate it accordingly.

In the third phase, your therapist will ask you to think about and identify any positive beliefs about yourself or your experience. They then guide you through several sets of eye movement or stimulation to help integrate those positive beliefs with the target memory.

The concluding step in EMDR therapy is integration. This stage assesses your progress, helping you assess how well you’re managing the trauma memories addressed during therapy. It can determine if additional sessions are necessary or if the trauma has sufficiently healed that it no longer causes issues.

EMDR therapy can be incredibly helpful for those suffering from PTSD, as it helps them process their emotions and find ways to cope with past traumas. It’s an efficient and safe way to address trauma-related mental health issues and can ultimately lead to a more fulfilled life.