The body intuitively understands how to repair itself when it is injured. Does the mind also know how to heal emotional and mental wounds? The mind’s innate ability to heal is among the main premises of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
EMDR is a type of therapy that has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of psychological issues, including trauma, anxiety, and depression. Unlike other forms of therapy, EMDR does not rely on verbal processing or cognitive techniques. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation, which is a type of rhythmic stimulation that involves alternating between left and right sides of the brain.
EMDR therapy has been found to be an especially helpful evidence-based therapy for treating trauma because it can help to reduce or eliminate the negative emotions and memories that have an association with the trauma. Learn more about evidence-based therapies. Call us today at 888.707.2873.
More About EMDR
EMDR counseling uses the concepts of traditional talk therapy and includes a new aspect that has actually been known to accelerate the sometimes time-consuming process. The procedures used by experienced clinicians help individuals activate their mind’s natural healing ability.
As with lots of therapies, it focuses on the person. Sessions revolve around an individual’s specific complications, past traumas, and establishing skills to be more resistant in the future.
How does it work? The process consists of eight stages. Here is a summary:
Phase 1: Understanding Your History
You will discuss your history with the therapist. Together you figure out the specific issue triggering you emotional distress. With the information provided, the therapist establishes a customized treatment strategy defining particular targets for processing. Throughout this stage, you likewise acquire insights into your circumstances and how they impact the way you live.
Stage 2: Preparation
It’s hard to handle emotionally-charged memories from your past. In this phase, the counselor teaches you strategies to handle the emotional distress often associated with treatment. These methods include assisted imagery, stress reduction, and relaxation exercises.
Stage 3: Assessment
At this point in your treatment, you and your counselor have identified a target memory to be processed. This includes picking out a particular scene from the targeted event. In addition, you might identify the negative self-belief connected with this event. Common unfavorable self-beliefs are declarations like “I am worthless” or “I am unlovable”.
While working with the counselor, people establish a brand-new belief about the target event. For instance, if you thought you were powerless about a scenario that transpired to you, you may adopt a declaration like “I am in control” when envisioning the event.
Stage 4: Desensitization
Treatment now takes on a more active function in controlling feelings. The desensitization phase includes focusing on a target event’s related ideas or particular images and feelings while engaging in specific eye movements, tones, or taps.
After each set, the therapist asks you to clear your mind and see what thoughts or emotions cultivate. Depending upon what you report, a brand-new focus of attention may be used. Eventually, the emotional charge from the targeted event loses its power and is no longer overwhelming.
Phase 5: Installation
When the targeted event does not have as much emotional impact, the therapist will direct you to alter your unfavorable belief about the event. The favorable statement you developed in the assessment phase may be strengthened, ultimately changing your negative belief.
Stage 6: Body Scan
Your body most likely reacts when you think back to a distressing event in your life. You might not even notice this is occurring. If you think of a time when someone insulted you in front of a group of people, you may feel your fists begin to clench. Of course, if the event has lost its emotional charge, your body may not respond in the same way. Throughout the body scan phase, you will once again remember the targeted event and sense any lingering reactions or stress in your body. This will determine if there is a need for more work.
Phase 7: Closure
As with several types of counseling, the closure phase highlights the insights from a session. This processing permits you to go over present complications in addition to future concerns. The counselor might likewise ask you to journal any emotions and thoughts occurring after the session.
Phase 8: Re-evaluation
In the final phase, you discuss your development with the therapist. This can include talking about related memories, present problems, and future treatment objectives.
This treatment is not merely thinking of an uncomfortable memory and moving your eyes in a specific way. EMDR is a methodical procedure using a specific set of evidence-based protocols.
How Does EMDR Help in Substance Abuse Treatment?
Lots of people rely on drugs or alcohol as a means to manage challenging emotions. Relationship problems, difficult memories, anxiety, and depression all can contribute to a person’s addictive behaviors. In addition, the pleasure occasionally associated with harmful, compulsive behaviors produces and increases addictive habits.
Among the primary focuses is reducing the effects of traumatic experiences and emotionally-charged memories helping individuals become inspired altering the way she or he looks at them. This new point of view develops a more favorable frame of mind where drugs or alcohol are no longer a way to cope.
EMDR can even take battling addiction a step further. It trains the person to break the connection from the pleasure of harmful habits. This helps reduce the effects of the power substances have over you.
EMDR Therapy in Tampa Can Help
At Coalition Recovery, we supply a comfortable, serene environment away from the stressors and triggers that often worsen substance abuse. Moreover, we know everybody’s situation is different and that’s why we utilize the most effective, evidence-based methods for fighting addiction. From private counseling and group treatment to amazing experiential opportunities, we believe everyone has the potential to live the satisfied and sober life they desire.
Tampa’s Coalition Recovery is ready to help you pave the path for a brighter future. We offer a full continuum of care using a range of techniques, so you can once again get your life back. Our admission professionals would love to talk with you today to learn how we can help. Call us today at 888.707.2873 or contact us using our online form.
