How I Can Help, Uncategorized
What is EMDR in San Diego ? Does It Really Work?
n
What is EMDR in San Diego? Does EMDR Therapy in San Diego Really Work?
There are a lot of trauma treatments out there and finding one that works can be confusing. So what is EMDR in San Diego? Does it Really Work?
With all the hype with “get feeling better quick solutions” on social media how do I know what to trust?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, which is pretty difficult to say.
I am going to stay with EMDR going forward.
This is a type of psychotherapy, backed up by scientific studies, with good results for people who have experienced one trauma or individuals with complex trauma.
It uses what we know about the brain and how memories are stored to allow the brain to reprocess traumatic memories that keep us stuck and from living our most fulfilling lives.
That sounds really weird, that you go to therapy to move your eyes to help with trauma.
How Does EMDR Work?
Why does moving the eyes help with trauma? Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing uses both sides of the brain to work with trauma.
EMDR can access both sides with either eye movements, tapping, audio input, or holding haptic devices in each hand.
This bilateral stimulation (BLS) helps the brain to access where the trauma is stored in the brain and process traumatic memories and beliefs.
With this method of therapy a client can say as little or as much as they want while reprocessing their memories.
All the therapist really needs to know if things are changing for the client.
With EMDR we trust that the brain know where it needs to go for healing and the therapist follows.
So how is an EMDR in San Diego session different from a normal psychotherapy session?
In EMDR the therapist will guide you through Eight phases in the session.
In these phases there is often less talking than in traditional therapy and some form of bilateral input.
Bilateral input may be in the form of eye movement, sound, tapping, or haptic sensations. You may do some of each or only one method.
You and your therapist determine what is right for you.
There Are Eight Phases to EMDR
Phase 1: You discuss with your therapist what brings you for treatment and identify memories or beliefs where you feel stuck in trauma.
In Phase 2: You and your therapist work to build resources so you feel safe throughout your sessions.
Phase 3: Next is activation of the memory and identifying thoughts and beliefs associated with the memory that keep you stuck in trauma. Assessing distress.
Phase 4: While focused on the distressing memory bilateral stimulation will occur. This will continue until your session is complete or you are no longer feeling distress about the memory.
Phase 5: In phase 1 you will have discussed a more adaptive thought to replace the negative one currently associated with the memory. In this phase we strengthen the more adaptive thought.
During Phase 6: You scan your body to observe what is happening now after the processing and the installation of the more adaptive thought.
Phase 7: At the close of session your therapist will remind you of the resources discussed at the start of session to help you return to a state of emotional balance.
Phase 8: Reassessment. At the end of session your therapist checks in to find out how distressing the memory is now after processing and determine if more work should be done on the memory.
Does EMDR Therapy in San Diego Really Work?
EMDR therapy is extensively researched and widely recognized as effective trauma therapy.
EMDR therapy in San Diego is an evidenced-based treatment for PTSD and other trauma and stressor disorders.
It is recognized in treatment guidelines published by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies,
the World Health Organization, and a growing number of national and international organizations.
Treatment guidelines are based on reviews that evaluate the research of established evidence-based mental health treatments.
Some studies report 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have post-traumatic stress disorder after only three 90-minute sessions.
Another study, funded by the HMO Kaiser Permanente,
found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims no longer qualified for the diagnosis of PTSD after only six 50-minute sessions.
In another study, 77% of combat veterans were free of PTSD in 12 sessions.
EMDR can be a real game changer for many clients who struggle with PTSD.
Trauma keeps people stuck. People want change, but can’t find the way out.
EMDR and a trauma informed therapist who you feel safe with can help point you to the exit sign.
Check out my page on EMDR in San Diego to find out more.