Eye movement reprocessing and desensitization (EMDR) is a powerful interactive therapy. It is highly effective in helping people recover from trauma and other distressing experiences that can lead to maladaptive behaviors, including substance abuse and addiction. EMDR was initially developed to treat PTSD but has been proven effective in treating many mental health disorders.
At Harmony Hills, the EMDR therapy program is one of the evidence-based approaches we offer as part of our individualized, holistic approach to mental health treatment. Contact the Harmony Hills team today at 855.494.0357 to learn more about EMDR therapy in Florida and see if it might be right for you or your loved one.
The Benefits of an EMDR Therapy Program
Unlike traditional talk therapies, EMDR does not require clients to go into great detail about distressing issues, making it particularly effective for individuals who struggle to talk about past experiences. While EMDR is considered very safe, you should expect to experience heightened awareness surrounding your trauma at the beginning of treatment. Your EMDR therapist in Florida will prepare you for this by providing insight into the physical and emotional responses to trauma as well as coping strategies.
A key benefit of EMDR is that it can produce effective and lasting results quickly. The extent of the trauma determines the number of sessions required, but the average length of treatment involves weekly sessions for one to three months. Because of its non-invasive, simplistic approach, EMDR can be used with people of all ages and for a wide array of challenges in addition to PTSD and trauma, including:
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
- Substance abuse and addiction
- Chronic illness and pain
- Depression and bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders
- Dissociative disorders
Rather than focusing on changing the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors resulting from a distressing event, EMDR stimulates the brain’s natural healing to process the event properly.
Understanding How EMDR Therapy Works
In your first sessions, your EMDR-trained therapist will gather information about your history, and you will work to identify the targets of your sessions. After preparing you with coping skills for managing your stress response to the distressing event, your therapist will apply bilateral stimulation. At the same time, you recall the event and the thoughts and feelings associated with it.
Depending upon what you best respond to, bilateral stimulation can be visual, tactile, or auditory. Most commonly, it is visual, where you rapidly move your eyes back and forth, following your therapists’ fingers in 30-second increments. Repeatedly activating opposite sides of the brain in this manner allows for the memory to be adequately reprocessed. After each set of bilateral stimuli, your therapist will ask how you feel. The process is repeated until the memory of the event is no longer disturbing. EMDR does not erase the memory of painful events but removes the feeling that you are reliving them.
Harmony Hills Offers EMDR Therapy in Florida
Set on 80 acres surrounded by natural forests, Harmony Hills offers a wide range of substance use disorder and mental health treatment programs. Along with EMDR, our therapeutic approaches include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Trauma-informed therapy
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Holistic therapy
Finding the right treatment facility is crucial to achieving success in treatment and for your long-term recovery. At Harmony Hills, we know that every person’s life experiences are unique and so, too, are their treatment needs. With our low staff-to-client ratios and individualized treatment planning, you or your loved one will receive highly personalized care. Our dual diagnosis treatment center provides simultaneous treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders offering the best opportunity for your successful recovery.
Looking for an EMDR Therapist in Florida? Look No Further Than Harmony Hills
At Harmony Hills, we want to give you or your loved one the care and support you need to overcome trauma and addiction. Our certified EMDR therapist has the knowledge and experience to help you heal from trauma safely and effectively. Contact us today at 855.494.0357 to learn more about our EMDR therapy program and your treatment options.
