What is EMDR?

EMDR is an acronym for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. This is a brain-based therapy that allows you to work through a traumatic memory and decrease shame, guilt, sadness, anxiety, fear, negative thoughts, and low self-esteem attached to it.

This therapy is used to help individuals who are survivors of any type of trauma and can also help in many other areas you may be struggling with.

Common Types of Trauma

Whatever has tried to hurt you, has helped you survive.  Trauma can be likened to a survival instinct that’s affected you in ways that’s helped you get this far.

What happens after a trauma?

When someone goes through a traumatic experience, the memory is stored in a way that is considered unprocessed. The memory is also stored with everything that happened at that time-sights, sounds, smells, thoughts, emotions, what was said, and physical sensations. What ends up happening, is those memories often start interfering with our life in the present.

A trauma can overwhelm your nervous system which then affects how you respond to certain situations. You may be on high alert or feel like there’s an “on” switch that’s hard to turn off.

Here’s the thing, you don’t always realize the past memory or memories are affecting you today.

Trauma can change how your brain interprets information which can affect your feelings and thoughts about yourself. You might notice you respond in big ways to situations that others wouldn’t consider a “big deal.” Thinking you’re not good enough or that you should’ve done something differently is also common.

Trust can be difficult for you, even with loved ones, and you avoid thinking about the trauma at all costs because of how badly it makes you feel.

Trauma can go unnoticed for years.

And, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear you’re just now noticing how it’s impacted you because trauma can affect you later in life. The brain has a way of helping us forget to get through and keep going in life. Sometimes, you only start to notice its effects months or years later.

Other common symptoms of trauma:

• Nightmares or flashbacks
• Avoiding reminders such as conversations, people, certain TV shows, situations, holidays, etc.
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Anxiety and fear
• Sadness
• Difficulty being able to experience positive emotions
• Unexplained gastrointestinal issues and/or pain

It makes sense to not want to think about any of it but consider how it may be getting in the way for you now?

How does EMDR work?

EMDR therapy can help your brain and body connect on a deeper level where you can process and unfreeze the emotional paralysis that often keeps you stuck.

This therapy allows you to revisit a memory with the guidance of a trained EMDR therapist, using bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation involves alternating from side-to-side through eye movements, tapping, or audio sounds. The process is thought to allow you to become “unstuck” from the trauma.

While using bilateral stimulation, I’ll guide you through reprocessing the memory. It’s not necessary for you to talk about the experience during a session. Only if you find it helpful to you in those moments.

The process is rapid and if any upsetting, distressing experiences occur, they usually last for a short period of time.

How long does EMDR take?

Depending on the severity of the trauma, you may have as few as 6 sessions to 20 or more sessions, to help you reprocess the traumatic memory or memories.

How can EMDR help?

The procedure can help you feel less shame, sadness, and anxiety around painful memories, and change the negative perception you have about yourself, unhelpful patterns of behavior, and responses to situations that bother you.

It can help you release the painful sadness and sorrow.

EMDR Therapy can reach different parts of your brain where talk therapy alone just can’t reach or affect as much. This can help you leave the past in the past where it belongs.

This therapy isn’t appropriate for everyone and you’ll need to be willing to possibly experience strong feelings and upsetting thoughts that sometimes happen during sessions. I will guide you through this and we will go at a pace that’s comfortable and best for you.

What does EMDR treat?

There has been decades of research that supports the use of EMDR to treat PTSD and trauma. Research shows it’s also beneficial in treating the following:

• PTSD and trauma-related concerns
• Complex PTSD/Trauma
• Generalized Anxiety
• Depression
• Performance Anxiety
• Social Anxiety
• Pain
• Chronic Illness/Medical Issues
• Sleep Issues
• Grief and Loss
• Eating Disorders
• Panic Disorder
• Phobias
• Substance Abuse and Addiction

Can EMDR be done virtually?

Yes, EMDR can be done online! There is an online, HIPPA compliant application that I use for remote EMDR sessions. It’s just as safe and effective as face-to-face sessions.

When can I start EMDR?

We won’t start EMDR right away because it’s important for me to get a sense of your history. It’s also important for you to feel comfortable in our work together and understand how EMDR works.

Ready to get started?

Imagine a life filled with a sense of calm, peace, and freedom from the past.

If you’re willing to work through the past at your pace and not just think or talk about it, get started today.

Start EMDR Therapy in New Braunfels, Austin and San Antonio by scheduling a consult today!

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Other Counseling Services at Counseling Associates of New Braunfels, PLLC

EMDR Therapy isn’t the only service we offer at our Online Counseling Clinic in Texas.  Other mental health services Counseling Associates of New Braunfels, PLLC provides includes Anxiety Treatment, Counseling for Healthy Boundary Setting, Therapy for Perfectionism, and PTSD and Trauma Treatment for Women.

Contact our mental health office or schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to learn more about the many ways we can help you!

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How I Can Help

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