Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, referred to as EMDR therapy, is an interactive therapy used to heal from the psychological distress frequently associated with trauma and other negative life experiences. Originally developed in the 1980s to treat PTSD, EMDR has since gained worldwide recognition for its effectiveness and is now used in a wide array of mental health treatment programs. At Harmony Hills, our EMDR therapy program is often an important part of an individualized treatment plan, especially for clients with a trauma history.
EMDR therapy is evidence-based, backed by over 25 years of studies showing that it is an effective tool in treating addiction, trauma, and general psychological distress. If you have questions about EMDR therapy or want to learn more about our specific program, contact the Harmony Hills team today at 855.494.0357.
EMDR Therapy for Trauma Treatment
The main goal of EMDR is to desensitize a person to memories that create stress, anxiety, or panic or that lead them to engage in maladaptive behaviors such as alcohol or drug use. EMDR accomplishes this by using techniques to help change the way the brain stores memories. Before EMDR therapy, it was a long-held belief that it took years of traditional talk therapy to help overcome significant psychological trauma. What EMDR shows is that the brain can heal from psychological trauma much in the same way that the body heals from physical trauma. For example, if you cut your foot, your body will naturally work to heal the cut. If the cut goes untreated, it won’t heal properly and may even get worse. The brain works the same way very much.
In an EMDR therapy program, clients work with a specially-trained therapist to first identify and then learn to reprocess the memories of painful experiences. In general, people are either left-brain or right-brain dominant. EMDR uses auditory, tactile, and visual stimulation to simultaneously activate both sides of the brain, allowing for rapid processing. Activating the brain allows for the memory to be moved from being stuck in the emotional center to being processed in the logical center of the brain. EMDR therapy does not erase painful experiences. Instead, it allows individuals to acknowledge painful experiences without feeling like they are reliving them.
In addition to trauma treatment like that for PTSD, EMDR can be successfully used for the treatment of:
- Anxiety disorder
- Depression disorder
- Panic disorder
- Substance use disorder
- Self-injury disorder
EMDR therapy is beneficial for individuals who struggle to talk about their past experiences. Call Harmony Hills today at 855.494.0357 to learn more about our EMDR therapy program.
Key Benefits of an EMDR Therapy Program
EMDR is considered very safe. However, clients should expect to have a heightened sense of awareness about their trauma that might feel triggering. Be assured that your therapist will provide you with coping strategies to be prepared for this before the start of EMDR exercises.
EMDR therapy sessions are usually about one hour long and last for several weeks. EMDR works quickly and effectively, with most clients reporting positive results after just three sessions. Clients do not have to go into their trauma specifics, often making it easier to talk about. EMDR therapy works with the brain’s natural healing processes to enable clients to replace unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviors caused by trauma with positive, healthy ones. At Harmony Hills, we utilize EMDR therapy in programs including:
- Residential treatment program
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Substance abuse treatment program
- Mental health treatment program
Learn More About Mental Health Counseling at Harmony Hills
If you have experienced trauma, fear may be preventing you from reaching out for help. At Harmony Hills, we provide a safe environment for all clients, especially those seeking trauma treatment. EMDR therapy is proven to be a safe, effective way to treat trauma quickly. With EMDR, clients do not have to go into the details of their trauma or have prolonged exposure to upsetting memories. Trauma does not have to hold you back from living your best life. Call Harmony Hills today at 855.494.0357 to learn more about our EMDR therapy program.
