PROGRAMS
EMDR to combat Trauma
ABOUT EMDR THERAPY
Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, they may not be processed without help. Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create feelings of overwhelm, of being back in that moment, or of being “frozen in time.” EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.”
HOW IS EMDR DIFFERENT FROM OTHER THERAPIES?
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue, or homework between sessions. EMDR, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. Part of the therapy includes alternating eye movements, sounds, or taps. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.
EXPERIENCING EMDR THERAPY
After the therapist and client agree that EMDR therapy is a good fit, and begin to work together, the client will be asked to focus on a specific event. Attention will be given to a negative image, belief, and body feeling related to this event, and then to a positive belief that would indicate the issue was resolved. While the client focuses on the upsetting event, the therapist will begin sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps. The client will be guided to notice what comes to mind after each set. They may experience shifts in insight or changes in images, feelings, or beliefs regarding the event. The client has full control to stop the therapist at any point, if needed. The sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps are repeated until the event becomes less disturbing.
A typical EMDR therapy session lasts from 60-90 minutes. EMDR therapy may be used within a standard talking therapy, as an adjunctive therapy with a separate therapist, or as a treatment all by itself.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM EMDR THERAPY?
EMDR therapy helps both children and adults of all ages.
Therapists use EMDR with a wide range of challenges including:
HOW LONG DOES EMDR TAKE TO WORK?
It depends on the individual. For a single traumatic event it may take between 1-4 sessions. For others, with a very traumatized background, or with certain diagnoses, a longer time may be necessary. In this phase, the therapist will teach you some specific techniques so you can rapidly deal with any emotional disturbance that may arise.
Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, they may not be processed without help. Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create feelings of overwhelm, of being back in that moment, or of being “frozen in time.” EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.”
HOW IS EMDR DIFFERENT FROM OTHER THERAPIES?
EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue, or homework between sessions. EMDR, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. Part of the therapy includes alternating eye movements, sounds, or taps. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.
EXPERIENCING EMDR THERAPY
After the therapist and client agree that EMDR therapy is a good fit, and begin to work together, the client will be asked to focus on a specific event. Attention will be given to a negative image, belief, and body feeling related to this event, and then to a positive belief that would indicate the issue was resolved. While the client focuses on the upsetting event, the therapist will begin sets of side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps. The client will be guided to notice what comes to mind after each set. They may experience shifts in insight or changes in images, feelings, or beliefs regarding the event. The client has full control to stop the therapist at any point, if needed. The sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps are repeated until the event becomes less disturbing.
A typical EMDR therapy session lasts from 60-90 minutes. EMDR therapy may be used within a standard talking therapy, as an adjunctive therapy with a separate therapist, or as a treatment all by itself.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM EMDR THERAPY?
EMDR therapy helps both children and adults of all ages.
Therapists use EMDR with a wide range of challenges including:
- Sexual Addiction
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
- Depression and bipolar disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Grief and Loss
- Pain
- Personality Disorders
- PTSD and other trauma and stress related disorders
- Sexual assault
- Chronic illness and medical issues
- Substance abuse and addiction
- Violence and abuse
HOW LONG DOES EMDR TAKE TO WORK?
It depends on the individual. For a single traumatic event it may take between 1-4 sessions. For others, with a very traumatized background, or with certain diagnoses, a longer time may be necessary. In this phase, the therapist will teach you some specific techniques so you can rapidly deal with any emotional disturbance that may arise.
Have you been traumatized?
The roots of sex addiction and even sex offending are often related to unresolved trauma. It is not the gravity of the trauma that makes the event traumatic - it is how you experience it. Many times trauma is experienced as a culmination of many smaller events and treating trauma can be part of recovery from sex addiction and even sex offending. Partners of sex addicts are almost always traumatized by the painful discovery of sexual addiction. Our treatment is trauma informed and we incorporate traumatic healing into our practice. If you find yourself ready to address your trauma please contact us at
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cindy@scioncounseling.org or call us at (562) 547-3383 or you can make an appointment directly.
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