Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can be an essential therapy for those living with trauma. Trauma can be the underlying cause of many mental health conditions, such as addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When trauma lingers, it can cause a great amount of suffering in an individual. However, trauma can be difficult to treat, especially when addressing it risks re-traumatizing you. This can cause a dilemma where mental health worsens because the trauma goes unaddressed, but addressing it causes suffering.
A lot of time and research have gone into developing trauma-focused therapies to help those living with trauma. EMDR therapy is one such therapy. It has proven to be highly effective in treating PTSD and other trauma-related disorders. Driftwood Recovery and other mental health and addiction treatment facilities use EMDR therapy, as it has been proven to be safe and effective. Specifically, it’s found its greatest use in addressing trauma without re-traumatizing the individual.
What Exactly Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy works by using bilateral stimulation or stimulating each hemisphere of the brain alternatively. This is done by using stimulating senses to ground the nervous system. Examples include tapping, sounds, or, most commonly, side-to-side movement of the eyes. The goal is to change how a traumatic memory is stored in the brain to reduce or eliminate the distressing symptoms that come from it.
EMDR therapy works on the idea that unprocessed traumatic memories prevent the brain from healing. These memories can become “stuck” in the brain and cause a cascade effect of problems. A traumatic memory can remain unprocessed or “stuck” for a long time for many reasons, but most commonly it’s the result of said memory being too painful to address. By helping the individual process the memories safely, it lets the brain begin to heal.
Processing traumatic memories allows you to look at not just the past but the present as well. Part of the healing process is understanding that you’re safe and that the trauma is over. Unprocessed trauma doesn’t allow this healing process, which keeps the nervous system in high alert. Grounding the nervous system through bilateral stimulation “unsticks” traumatic memories, allowing new information to be created in its place. It’s not forgetting that the traumatic event happened. Instead, it’s looking at the event through new eyes, processing it, and then placing it in the past so you can move on.
EMDR therapy is particularly helpful because it does not require you to speak about your experiences. It only asks that you think about the emotions associated with them so you can change them. Thus, those who are not ready to speak in specifics about the trauma they faced have a viable therapeutic option available.
What Can I Expect From an EMDR Therapy Session?
EMDR therapy is designed to work quickly with minimal distress to the client undergoing it. The steps or phases of EMDR therapy are as follows.
#1. You speak to your provider about your history and treatment plans.
#2. Your provider prepares and explains the treatment to you.
#3. You are guided into activating the memory that needs to be processed once ready.
#4. Your provider helps you desensitize the memory by using stimulation, which helps memories settle in less distressing ways.
#5. You continue to utilize stimulation while reinforcing positive beliefs, such as “I am safe.”
#6. Your provider helps you self-scan your body and emotions for any residual tension or pain that needs to be addressed.
#7. You engage in a cool-down session for closure.
#8. Your provider and you have a debriefing session to make sure you are staying on track to meet your goals.
It’s not uncommon for one to feel strong emotions during an EMDR therapy session. Emotions like anger, grief, and fear can be present when facing a memory. However, these intense emotions will fade once desensitization begins and positive beliefs are reinforced. Over time, the feelings of distress will reduce, or even fade away entirely.
Addressing Trauma for Continuous Recovery
Trauma that is left to linger is like a poison. It slowly, but surely, begins to affect your body, mind, and spirit. Over time, this can cause someone to seek methods of self-medication to soothe the pain of trauma. More often than not, this is how addictions begin, with the desire to lessen pain. An addiction cannot be fully treated without first addressing the underlying trauma that fuels it. This can’t be done if a person is too afraid to face their trauma.
Driftwood Recovery focuses on comprehensive and compassionate addiction and mental health treatment. We are uniquely equipped to help those struggling with underlying trauma or trauma-based disorders alongside addiction. This is known as a dual diagnosis, and it can be tricky to treat without a proper specialized treatment plan. Driftwood Recovery meets this need for comprehensive care by providing a wide range of treatments. Treatments like EMDR therapy often work well with other therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and experiential therapy. With this flexibility and personalization in mind, anyone can find the treatment they need to recover.
Of course, the skills learned in EMDR therapy can be applied to life after treatment. Becoming aware of your emotional state is critical in spotting small troubles before they can become big ones. Practicing positive thinking and affirmations can lift moods and keep you mindful of your present self. But perhaps the most important skill is trusting that you deserve help and that people can help you. Keeping these skills in mind helps you face your future with courage and not pain.
Trauma can be difficult to treat, especially when it is resistant to most conventional therapeutic techniques. Some may even be afraid of seeking therapy for their trauma, worried that doing so will just re-traumatize them. Thankfully, some methods can be used to help those struggling with severe trauma. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is one such solution, offering relief to those in need of help. Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas utilizes EMDR therapy and other techniques to allow clients to process and heal from trauma. If you or a loved one is looking for a safe place to address trauma, don’t wait. Call Driftwood Recovery today at (512) 759-8330.