Have you recently been through a divorce? Are you feeling the impact of the divorce in ways that you didn't plan for? After my divorce, my kids and I went through several months where they were angry and I felt like a complete failure. It was almost a year before I decided to begin seeing a family therapist to help us get through such a difficult transitional time for the entire family. She was so understanding, compassionate and helpful. She helped us talk through our feelings and provided us with the tools that we needed to get through the most difficult time in our lives.
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Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a type of psychotherapy previously used for the treatment of PTSD but now gaining popularity for the treatment of anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and several other mental and physical health issues. Keep reading to learn more about EMDR and whether it's the right choice for your health goals.
How does EMDR work?
A therapist will encourage the patient to embrace a particularly stressful memory or feeling. While deep in thought, the patient will simultaneously perform eye movements, activating a different part of the brain and reducing the negative emotions associated with that thought. Soon, the patient will be able to address the trauma or source of depression without the mental blocks that existed before. The therapist will start small and increase exposure more and more with every session.
In many cases, the source of trauma is clear, such as abuse or war. In other situations, the patient may need to work with the therapist to properly identify the mental blocks the patient wants to overcome.
Do the sessions get intense?
Sessions can get rather intense. However, the therapist makes a point to check the patient for signs of distress, such as an elevated heart rate and extreme physical discomfort. Once the patient demonstrates physical distress, the therapist will end the session. In preparation for intense moments, the therapist will teach the patient different ways to cope with the stress, preventing additional trauma.
Does a patient need to divulge the details of their pain?
In EMDR, the patient does not need to express every little detail about their triggers or the pain associated with them. This sets EMDR apart from other psychotherapy techniques, such as CBT. With that being said, the patient should feel free to talk about the details of the situation whenever they feel comfortable enough to talk.
How long does EMDR take?
Every person is different, but most people see significant success after a few months of weekly sessions. If you don't see yourself progressing after a month or two, talk to your therapist about your worries. You may want to make adjustments to your treatment that will make the sessions more effective or try an alternative psychotherapy method altogether.
You don't need to suffer forever. Get help for past trauma thanks to EMDR therapy today. You'll finally get the peace you've been looking for.
Contact a mental health psychologist for more information.
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