EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a psychotherapy approach aimed at helping individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It involves recalling traumatic memories while participating in bilateral stimulation, such as quick eye movements or tapping, which assists in processing these memories and alleviating the associated distress. EMDR does not require talking about a distressing issue or incident in detail. The goal is to "reprocess" the traumatic events in the brain, ultimately reducing their adverse effects. 

Has EMDR been recommended by your physician or therapist?  Family Therapy Associates has many therapists that offer this service, as well as EMDR Group Therapy.  In EMDR Group Therapy, participants can find relief in learning and implementing stabilization skills without sharing their individual trauma with the group. Processing any related trauma is done individually. Please reach out to find out more information about this option.   
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If you are facing mental health challenges, it is important to recognize that you are not alone; countless individuals worldwide experience similar struggles. Seeking support from friends, family, and professionals is essential. 

See the below resources for more information on EMDR.

From my.clevelandclinic.org: 

What is EMDR therapy? 
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a mental health treatment technique. This method involves moving your eyes a specific way while you process traumatic memories. EMDR’s goal is to help you heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. Compared to other therapy methods, EMDR is relatively new. The first clinical trial investigating EMDR was in 1989. Dozens of clinical trials since EMDR’s development show this technique is effective and can help a person faster than many other methods. 

​Who needs to have EMDR therapy? 
EMDR can help people with a wide range of mental health conditions. Adolescents, teenagers and adults of all ages can benefit from this treatment. Some healthcare providers also specialize in EMDR for children.

Why is this treatment used? 
EMDR therapy doesn’t require talking in detail about a distressing issue. EMDR instead focuses on changing the emotions, thoughts or behaviors that result from a distressing experience (trauma). This allows your brain to resume a natural healing process. While many people use the words “mind” and “brain” when referring to the same thing, they’re actually different. Your brain is an organ of your body. Your mind is the collection of thoughts, memories, beliefs and experiences that make you who you are. 
The way your mind works relies on the structure of your brain. That structure involves networks of communicating brain cells across many different areas. That’s especially the case with sections that involve your memories and senses. That networking makes it faster and easier for those areas to work together. That’s why your senses — sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feels — can bring back strong memories. ​

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More helpful information can be found here: 

• What is EMDR? - EMDR Institute - EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING THERAPY 
  
• What is EMDR therapy and why is it used to treat PTSD? 
• About EMDR Therapy - EMDR International Association ​

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