Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a somatic therapy that helps people heal from their childhood trauma that may include: emotional neglect, physical, emotional, sexual or verbal abuse, witnessing abuse or neglect, etc. During the initial stages of EMDR therapy, the therapist guides the client through developing inner resources (coping skills) before starting to work through any trauma. It is important to your therapist to go at the pace that you feel comfortable in. When the client is ready, the therapist guides the client through memory reprocessing. During this stage of EMDR therapy, the client is asked to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. EMDR is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms.

Conditions treated by Sanna Khoja, an EMDR Therapist in Houston, Texas

EMDR therapy is a highly effective treatment for a range of emotional, mental, and stress-related issues such as:

- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

- Anxiety disorders

- Depression

- Panic attacks

- Phobias

- Addictions

- Chronic pain

- Chronic fatigue

- Anger issues

- OCD

- Attachment wounds

How EMDR Therapy Works

During EMDR therapy, the therapist will guide the patient to recall a traumatic event including an associated image, negative belief, emotions, body sensations and a SUD rating. Then the client will briefly recall the memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, taps, or tones. Periodically, the client pauses and is asked by the therapist what they notice (any thoughts, feelings, sensations, or changes in the memory). This continues until the client’s subjective units of distress (SUD) is a 0. Then the client is guided through the next stages of EMDR therapy including installing a positive belief, neutralizing body sensations, and installing positive sensations or feelings. The client is then able to look back at the trauma memory as an event that happened in the past and is no longer a present experience. The client no longer believes in the negative belief about themselves and has a reduction in the associated symptoms of trauma.

What to Expect During EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy typically involves many sessions, although some people benefit from fewer sessions. Sessions can be conducted on consecutive days. During the first session, the therapist will conduct an assessment to determine if EMDR therapy is appropriate for the patient. If it is, the therapist will work with the patient to identify the specific traumatic event that will be the focus of the therapy.

During the actual EMDR therapy session, the therapist will guide the patient to recall the traumatic event while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation. The therapist will then ask the patient to focus on a positive belief or thought that they would like to have instead of the negative belief or thought associated with the traumatic event. This process is repeated until the patient no longer experiences distress when recalling the traumatic event.

EMDR Therapy in Houston

EMDR therapy is a powerful tool that can transform your life. Through EMDR therapy, you gain the ability to heal deep emotional wounds, free yourself from the impact of trauma, and alleviate the burdens of stress and anxiety. This somatic therapy allows you to process your pain at your own pace, with the help the healing relationship with your therapist and bilateral stimulation.

In EMDR therapy, you have the opportunity to rewrite your story, to transform your traumatic memories into sources of strength and resilience. By facing your past with courage and vulnerability, you can reprocess your trauma in a new, empowering light. This powerful approach can help you release the grip of negative emotions and find peace within yourself.

If you are weighed down by emotional distress or haunted by memories of the past, EMDR therapy offers you a path to healing and freedom. If you are struggling with emotional distress or trauma, EMDR therapy may be a good option for you. To learn more about EMDR therapy and how it can help you, reach out for an initial consultation.

Citations:

[1] https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/

[2] https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing

[3] https://www.helpguide.org/articles/therapy-medication/emdr-therapy.htm