What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a type of therapy that uses eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation like tones in your ears or hand held buzzers to help people process traumatic memories. The idea behind EMDR is that traumatic memories are stored in the brain in a way that is not fully processed, leading to ongoing feelings of distress. During EMDR therapy, the therapist guides the client through the traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as following the therapist's finger with their eyes or tapping their hands back and forth. The theory behind EMDR is that the stimulation helps to "unlock" the memory and allow for more effective processing and healing. This is believed to help the brain process the memory and reduce associated distress. EMDR has been shown to be effective for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions. The goal of EMDR is to reduce the distress associated with the memory and promote a more adaptive and positive resolution.
The benefits of EMDR therapy can include:
Reduced symptoms of trauma: EMDR has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety.
Improved emotional regulation: EMDR can help individuals better regulate their emotions, reduce feelings of anger, guilt, and shame, and increase feelings of self-worth and confidence.
Enhanced ability to process traumatic experiences: By processing traumatic experiences in therapy, individuals can gain a greater understanding of the event, reduce its power over them, and integrate the experience into their overall life story.
Improved coping skills: EMDR can help individuals develop new coping strategies and skills to deal with stress, anxiety, and other emotional difficulties.
Increased well-being: By reducing symptoms of trauma and improving emotional regulation, individuals can experience increased overall well-being, better relationships, and improved quality of life.
Nourish has multiple EMDR therapists ready to help you heal. If you would like to learn more about EMDR, please email us at nourishtherapyandwellness@gmail.com
