What is EMDR?
About EMDR Therapy
During EMDR therapy sessions, a trained therapist guides the client through sets of lateral eye movements while recalling distressing memories. This dual-attention stimulation appears to activate the information processing mechanisms in the brain that facilitate healing from trauma.
Common EMDR techniques include:
- Following the clinician’s finger as it moves back and forth.
- Listening to alternating tones through headphones.
- Tactile stimulation, such as tapping.
If you think EMDR therapy may help you, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced clinicians.
Benefits of EMDR
EMDR can help reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression that stem from traumatic events. During EMDR therapy sessions, clients focus on the disturbing memories or thoughts while simultaneously receiving bilateral stimulation. This process helps the brain reprocess the memory in a healthier way, so it loses its emotional intensity and no longer triggers distress. As a result, clients often experience:
- Reduced intensity of trauma-related memories and emotions. EMDR helps lessen the distressing thoughts, images and feelings associated with past traumatic events.
- Improved coping skills. The EMDR process helps patients develop more effective strategies for coping with trauma-related triggers and stressors.
- Less avoidance of trauma reminders. As traumatic memories become less upsetting, patients tend to avoid people, places and activities associated with the trauma to a lesser degree
- Improved sleep, concentration and relationships. As EMDR reduces trauma-related distress, it can also improve quality of life in other areas.
The Benefits of Family Therapy for Mental Health
Why do we often recommend family therapy as part of our behavioral health services? Just a few of the benefits of this approach include:
- Improved communication – One of the primary goals of family therapy is improved communication between all parties involved to foster understanding and support within the family unit.
- Conflict resolution – Through family therapy sessions, members of the family can learn different ways to resolve conflicts and disagreements in a healthier manner.
- A better understanding of mental health – Family therapy encourages everyone to discuss mental health issues without shame or judgment, helping family members gain a better understanding of the challenges their loved one is facing.
- A stronger family bond – Whether it’s learning how to set boundaries or developing empathy and compassion, family therapy can help strengthen the bonds between family members.
As you work toward your own individual mental health goals, family therapy can be an important part of the process.
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