Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR Therapy)

Trauma: an overused word or an under-recognized reality?

Do certain events in your present life trigger strong reactions? Do you become shut down or become angry quickly? Are your loved ones telling you that you ‘overreact’ to what are minor situations from the outside? It could be that your body and brain are reacting to a pocket of unprocessed trauma or grief from your past. Negative beliefs or thoughts about yourself often plague your daily life, affecting your relationships with loved ones and your performance at work.

While you seem to have it all together on the outside, something on the inside feels broken. The shelf life of minimizing your past, denying the impact of your childhood, or numbing the pain may be running out. Despite what you were taught, time doesn’t heal all wounds, and traditional talk therapy often isn’t enough. If this sounds familiar, then you are in the right place!

At East Cobb Relationship Center, several therapists are trained or certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR therapy is an empirically validated trauma treatment that helps provide relief and get you on a path to healing.

Not All Trauma is Seen

At East Cobb Relationship Center, we know that trauma can come in various forms. Six common types of traumas are: abuse, abandonment, neglect, betrayal, enmeshment, and direct or indirect exposure to life-threatening circumstances. Some traumas are more overt and easily identifiable, such as the betrayal of a spouse, physical or sexual abuse, or being the victim of a violent crime.

Other traumas are more subtle, such as emotional abuse, abandonment, or enmeshment. The chronicity of these traumas adds up and takes a toll on our nervous systems and bodies. You may not be able to point to a specific moment, but your body remembers, and the impact of unseen traumas can be just as severe.

How Does EMDR Therapy Help?

The therapists at ECRC are here to help you heal and improve your relationships with people, substances, food, and processes. We want you to feel more empowered and confident. Helping bring all your resources to deal with the reality in front of you. Sometimes, talk therapy is just not enough.

To live confidently in the reality of life, you need to overcome the negative thoughts, past hurts, overwhelming anxiety, and other mental health concerns that have been holding you back. The problem is that nothing you’ve tried so far has helped you find relief. This has left you feeling somewhat hopeless. We believe you deserve to feel better.  You deserve help that truly works.

Our therapists have a deep understanding of trauma and the impact in has on the quality of life and relationships. If you are stuck in unconscious patterns or held back by subtle limiting beliefs that you wouldn’t admit out loud. We want to help you cope with your past to live fully in the present.

What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, or EMDR, is a set of standardized trauma and anxiety treatment protocols.

During EMDR, your clinician at East Cobb Relationship Center will work with you to ensure your safety at every phase of the process. Your safety and comfort are of tantamount importance, and you will never be pressed to disclose any events or memories that you do not want to disclose. One of the benefits of EMDR is that reprocessing can occur without having to retell details of traumatizing events.

EMDR consists of a structured eight-phase approach, which includes:

1. History-Taking and Treatment Planning: The therapist gathers information about the client’s history and identifies target issues for EMDR treatment.
2. Preparation: The therapist educates the client about EMDR and helps them develop coping strategies to manage emotional distress during the process.
3. Assessment: Specific target memories are selected for reprocessing, and the client is asked to identify the negative beliefs associated with those memories.
4. Desensitization: The client focuses on the distressing memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, typically through following the therapist’s hand movements or listening to auditory cues.
5. Installation: Positive beliefs are reinforced to replace the negative ones associated with the targeted memory.
6. Body Scan: Any remaining physical tension or discomfort is addressed to ensure complete desensitization.
7. Closure: The client is helped to return to a state of equilibrium, and homework assignments may be given to reinforce the therapy’s effects.
8. Reevaluation: In subsequent sessions, the therapist assesses progress and adjusts the treatment plan if necessary.

What Mental Health Concerns Can EMDR Treat?

1. Effective Treatment for PTSD: EMDR Therapy has been extensively researched and is recognized as one of the most effective treatments for PTSD. It can significantly reduce the symptoms associated with traumatic experiences, such as flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety.
2. Rapid Results: Compared to traditional talk therapy, EMDR Therapy often yields quicker results. Clients may experience relief from distressing symptoms in a shorter time frame.
3. Versatility: While EMDR Therapy is renowned for its effectiveness in treating trauma, it is also used to address a wide range of issues, including anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, and even performance anxiety.
4. Minimally Invasive: EMDR Therapy does not require clients to delve deeply into their traumatic memories, making it less emotionally taxing than some other therapies.
5. Long-Lasting Effects: EMDR’s benefits are often long-lasting, as the reprocessed memories lose their emotional charge, reducing the likelihood of relapse.
6. Enhanced Emotional Resilience: By reprocessing negative memories and beliefs, EMDR Therapy can help individuals build emotional resilience, enabling them to better cope with life’s challenges.
7. Reduction in Physical Symptoms: EMDR Therapy has been found to alleviate physical symptoms associated with psychological distress, such as chronic pain and tension.
8. Improved Self-Esteem: As negative beliefs are replaced with positive ones, individuals often experience improved self-esteem and self-worth.
9. Non-Drug Approach: EMDR Therapy is a non-pharmacological therapy, which means it does not rely on medication to achieve results, making it an attractive option for those who prefer drug-free treatments.