EMDR Therapy Programs: Comprehensive Treatment For Trauma & Addiction
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy helps find and treat core memories or trauma.Our EMDR Therapy Programs in California offer those with trauma and addiction a way to destress, reduce, and treat instances of trauma that have occurred in their lives. EMDR Provides clients with the tools and deeper understanding of themselves to help reach their mental wellness goals.
EMDR Therapy Programs
EMDR therapy San Diego is a structured form of therapy primarily used to treat the symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) involves focusing very briefly on memories of the traumatic event while at the same time moving their eyes back and forth under the direction of a therapist.
One core aim of EMDR therapy is to reduce the distressingly vivid nature of trauma memories.
What is EMDR Therapy
An American psychologist, Shapiro developed EMDR therapy in the 1980s.
EMDR therapy was first used to treat those with traumatic memories, but it now has a wider range of applications, including:
- PTSD
- Anxiety disorders
- Phobias
- Depression
- Chronic pain
An individual therapy, you typically attend between 6 and 12 EMDR sessions delivered once or twice weekly.
Unlike treatments that address your thoughts, emotions, and responses to traumatic events, EMDR therapy instead focuses sharply on the memory itself, aiming to alter how your brain stores the memory, reducing and possibly even eliminating the accompanying symptoms.
Standardized procedures for EMDR therapy include:
- Eye movements
- Tones
- Taps
All of these provide bilateral stimulation (BLS) at the same time as you focus on the traumatic memory.
Phases of EMDR Therapy
Therapy unfolds over a highly structured approach cleaved into eight distinct phases.
- First phase: History-taking
- Second phase: Preparing the client
- Third phase: Assessment of target memory
- Fourth to seventh phases: Processing the memory
- Eighth phase: Evaluation of treatment results
San Diego EMDR Therapy Programs
San Deigo is A great place to find recovery from trauma related issues and out EMDR therapists in San Deigo have the experience, licensing, and professionalism to help you overcome past traumatic events and find your mental wellness.
Therapists in San Diego
The best therapists for EMDR are one that are caring, understanding, empathetic, and also strong so they can front the storm of traumatic events and help guide you through recovery. Allow our EMDR therapists be your bastion of light that leads you to overcome your trauma so you can lead a more fulfilling happy life.
Benefits of EMDR
EMDR therapy is proven effective for treating both trauma and PTSD.
While there is less of an evidence base, EMDR treatment can help some other conditions, including:
- Panic disorders
- Depressive disorders
- Anxiety disorders
If you are disinclined to engage with medication-assisted treatment due to the possible side effects of prescription medications, EMDR therapy could prove an effective alternative therapy.
Those already taking medications for mental health disorders often find that EMDR therapy intensifies the effectiveness of the medications.
Among the many independent controlled studies, this 2012 study found EMDR therapy helped 77% of those with PTSD and psychotic disorder.
This older study found that EMDR therapy had a high rate of compliance while reducing the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and traumatic stress. Researchers found that EMDR therapy outperformed prolonged exposure therapy.
There have been many other small-scale studies, but more research is needed in this area.
EMDR For Trauma and PTSD
The EMDR Institute reports that more than thirty studies on EMDR therapy show demonstrably positive effects.
In some studies, high numbers of trauma survivors report no further PTSD symptoms after just three EMDR sessions.
In many other of the cited studies, positive outcomes are achieved after between 6 and 12 sessions.
EMDR therapy is conditionally recommended by:
- WHO (World Health Organization)
- APA (American Psychological Association)
- VA (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Importance of EMDR Therapy
The majority of adults and children needing psychiatric services have a history of trauma.
A vast majority of people with addiction and mental health disorders have trauma stress characteristics that interfere with reaching sobriety. A large amount of those within the justice system also have histories of trauma involved issues.
There has been a large amount of studies done showing the correlation of victimization and offenders. Many individuals suffering with trauma histories have co-occurring issues with mental health, addiction, physical well-being, and are victims of trauma. That is why trauma-centric treatment, like EMDR therapy, can help reduce traumatic stress and help prevent future complications in someones life.
EMDR Therapists in San Diego
To shortcut the process and to get help combating the distressing symptoms of PTSD or other mental health issues, reach out today at 866-559-4256
EMDR Therapy FAQs
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a type of therapy where the client is asked to recall traumatic images/memories while the therapist then has the patient move their eyes in bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye rapid movement or hand tapping.
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