Understanding Trauma and the Power of EMDR Therapy
Trauma can be a profoundly destabilizing experience. It can reshape how we view the world, how we interact with others, and how we see ourselves. Whether stemming from a single event or a series of prolonged stressors, the impacts of trauma can be deep and enduring. In our continuous effort to support healing and recovery, we at Robinson Counseling and Wellness are committed to utilizing proven therapeutic approaches. One such powerful method is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
What is Trauma?
Trauma is an emotional response to intense and overwhelming events that disrupts an individual’s sense of security, leading to feelings of helplessness and vulnerability. Traumatic events can range from personal experiences such as accidents, abuse, or sudden loss, to larger-scale events like natural disasters or war. The aftermath of trauma can result in a complex mix of physical and emotional reactions including shock, denial, unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.
The Basics of EMDR Therapy
Developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR is a phased, focused approach to psychotherapy that aims to reduce the emotional distress associated with traumatic memories. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR focuses directly on the memory, and is intended to change the way that the memory is stored in the brain, thus reducing and eliminating the problematic symptoms.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR therapy is an eight-phase treatment that includes:
History and Treatment Planning
Preparation, where the therapist ensures the client has several different ways of handling emotional distress
Assessment, used to access each target in a controlled and measured way
Desensitization, which involves focusing on the memory while engaging in EMDR processing using bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements)
Installation, to strengthen positive beliefs
Body Scan, to ensure the traumatic memory is resolved
Closure, which ensures the person feels better at the end of every session
Reevaluation, which occurs at the beginning of every subsequent session to ensure stability and progress
The goal of these sessions is not just to talk about the traumatic event but rather to allow the brain to process these memories and to reduce their lingering effects significantly.
Benefits of EMDR
EMDR therapy has been extensively researched and proven effective for treating trauma. Some of the benefits include:
Speed of treatment: Many people experience the benefits of EMDR more quickly than with other forms of therapy.
Reducing vividness of traumatic memories: The distressing emotions linked to the memories are often decreased substantially.
Improvement in symptoms: Symptoms of PTSD and other trauma-related disorders, such as anxiety or depression, often improve after EMDR therapy.
Who Can Benefit?
EMDR is appropriate for all ages and can help those who have experienced trauma from a wide variety of sources. Whether it is an adult struggling with a childhood trauma or a veteran facing PTSD, EMDR has potential benefits.
At Robinson Counseling and Wellness, we understand that healing from trauma is a journey. EMDR is one of the many tools we offer to support your path to recovery. We are dedicated to providing a compassionate and safe environment where our clients can explore their feelings, challenge their fears, and start a new chapter in their lives.
If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma, consider reaching out to our team. We are here to help you navigate through these challenges with empathy and expertise.