Healing after a traumatic event is more difficult than many people know, and healing doesn’t stop with your body, regardless of what the source of the trauma was. Many people find that after a significant traumatic experience, it’s extremely difficult to regain control of their mental wellness. EMDR trauma therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, was designed in the late 1980s to help patients by alleviating stress and turmoil caused by traumatic events and memories. EMDR therapy for trauma grew in popularity over the years and is sometimes used for other mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression.
Grace Counseling offers a wide variety of mental health treatment, including EMDR trauma therapy, at our Fort Worth and Lewisville facilities. In addition to EMDR and therapy for past trauma, we offer group therapy, couples therapy, individual therapy, and therapy geared specifically toward women. We also offer addiction treatment. All of our patients receive uniquely customized treatment for their individual needs. No matter what sort of mental distress you’re struggling with, we are equipped to help. If you’re interested in learning more about the exemplary help we can offer to you or your loved one, reach out today by calling our offices at 844.564.0712 or visiting us online.
How Can EMDR Trauma Therapy Help?
EMDR therapy has long been considered one of the most effective tools in treating patients with PTSD or traumatic memories. It’s thought to be especially helpful for individuals who may have trouble talking about their experiences. Talk therapy is helpful for many people in a wide variety of circumstances, but for some, it’s not so simple. It may be that the sheer idea of sitting and talking frankly with another person about something that upset you so intensely is enough never to get help at all. EMDR for PTSD can help give people agency over their struggle by giving them an avenue to recover that isn’t grounded in discussing your trauma. This doesn’t mean that you should write off talk therapy entirely; it is a part of EMDR, and for some, talking about trauma becomes easier after successful EMDR therapy.
Stage of EMDR Therapy
EMDR for trauma treatment is typically completed in a series of eight steps, often over twelve sessions or more, including:
- The first step to EMDR is grounded in building a relationship with your therapist so that they can better understand your history and your past traumas.
- From there, in the second phase, preparation takes place to give you coping mechanisms to deal with traumatic reactions outside of therapy.
- In the third phase, your therapist identifies what traumatic memories to focus your treatment on. They will also help you pinpoint physical sensations associated with those memories to help you better focus on them in later steps.
- Phases four through seven involve the EMDR therapy itself. Your therapist will use techniques that involve focusing on your traumatic memories and doing specific eye movements simultaneously. There may be movements that don’t involve your eyes as well. Then, your therapist will ask you to clear your mind and identify what emotional reactions you are naturally feeling after revisiting the feeling. This isn’t done without care for your mental state. If you are feeling distressed by the memory, your therapist will bring your focus back and help you calm down before moving on. The idea is that over time, your negative reactions to these traumatic memories will begin to ebb.
- In the eighth and final phase, you and your therapist will evaluate the process and examine how it has affected your trauma responses. This is a time of reflection for both of you, and it will help you apply the coping mechanisms you’ve learned in your daily life.
EMDR for Trauma Treatment at Grace Counseling
At Grace Counseling, we believe that many people struggling with traumatic memories can benefit from EMDR therapy. Our highly trained staff will be with you every step of the way to implement this treatment and help you regain control of your life. Our facility is well-equipped to give you the assistance that you deserve with understanding and kindness. For more information about what we can do for you or your loved one, contact us today by filling out our secure online form or calling us at 844.564.0712.
