Understanding how EMDR works to reduce your symptoms

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach that helps individuals process and resolve traumatic or distressing experiences. The therapy involves a structured process of recalling the traumatic memory while simultaneously focusing on external stimuli, such as eye movements, sounds, or tapping. The aim is to reduce the intensity of the distress associated with the traumatic memory and promote adaptive coping mechanisms.

The underlying theory of EMDR is that traumatic experiences are not processed and stored in the brain in the same way as non-traumatic experiences. Traumatic experiences are thought to be stored in a fragmented and unprocessed state, causing emotional and physical symptoms, including flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and depression.

When individuals experience trauma, their brain can become stuck in a state of hyperarousal, leading to intense feelings of fear, anxiety, and stress. EMDR works by activating the brain’s natural processing abilities, allowing it to reprocess traumatic memories in a more adaptive way.

 

As the client focuses on the traumatic memory or emotion, the therapist will ask them to notice any thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations that come up. The therapist will then guide the client through a series of mental exercises designed to help them reprocess the traumatic memory or emotion in a more adaptive way. This may involve reevaluating negative beliefs or feelings that were formed as a result of the traumatic experience, and replacing them with more positive and empowering ones.

When individuals experience trauma, their brain can become stuck in a state of hyperarousal, leading to intense feelings of fear, anxiety, and stress. EMDR works by activating the brain’s natural processing abilities, allowing it to reprocess traumatic memories in a more adaptive way.

Over time, the goal of EMDR is to reduce the intensity of the client’s emotional and physical symptoms and help them to process the traumatic memory or emotion in a way that is less distressing. EMDR has been found to be an effective treatment for a variety of mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and phobias

Over time, the goal of EMDR is to reduce the intensity of the client’s emotional and physical symptoms and help them to process the traumatic memory or emotion in a way that is less distressing. EMDR has been found to be an effective treatment for a variety of mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and phobias

Dr. Yaro Garcia

Hello, I am Dr. Garcia, please call me Yaro. My degrees are in clinical psychology and I am a licensed mental health counselor. My approach is caring, warm, safe, non-judgmental, and straight forward. It is a difficult decision to seek therapy, I take time to build a trusting therapeutic relationship with you…