EMDR Therapy in South Jordan

EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy. It is a psychotherapy treatment originally designed to help alleviate the stress that people associate with traumatic memories....

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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy

Today EMDR is also used as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues that arise as a result of traumatic experiences. 

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy combines elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and bilateral stimulation to help individuals process and overcome traumatic memories. The EMDR therapy process involves the client recalling a traumatic event while simultaneously engaging in side-to-side eye movements or other forms of rhythmic left-right sensory stimulation. This technique is thought to activate both sides of the brain, facilitating the processing of disturbing memories and emotions.

How Does EMDR Work?

During EMDR therapy sessions, an EMDR therapist will work through traumatic or triggering experiences from your past as he or she directs your eye movement. Being distracted by the eye movement can relieve some of the distress you would normally experience when recalling these difficult past experiences or traumas. As the strong psychological response lessens when recalling the memories, you can move past the trauma more easily.

It may be helpful to think of it like a physical wound—if there is something that gets in the way of healing a physical wound, it gets irritated and cannot heal. Traumatic experiences that cause wounds in your mind can similarly be hard to heal if there is something blocking you from moving past it toward the healing process. The goal of EMDR therapy is to remove that block sooner so you can resume your natural healing path.

Contact our South Jordan, Utah office to see if EMDR therapy can help you.

What To Expect

During your initial EMDR session, your therapist will ask you about the specific traumatic memories or experiences that are causing you distress. You may be asked to rate the level of distress these memories bring up for you. After discussing the details, your therapist will guide you through eye movements, hand taps or other external stimuli while you recall the traumatic memory.

Expect to spend 60 minutes in an EMDR session and plan on multiple sessions depending on your individual needs. It’s important to have a strong relationship with your therapist and feel comfortable sharing difficult experiences.

At LiveWell Counseling, our therapists are trained and experienced in providing EMDR therapy to our clients. We are dedicated to helping you heal from past traumas and move forward in your life with a renewed sense of well-being.

How Can EMDR Therapy Help With Certain Issues?

EMDR has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of mental health issues, including:

These are just some examples of the issues that EMDR therapy can address. If you are struggling with any of these or other mental health concerns, consider speaking with one of our EMDR therapists about incorporating EMDR into your treatment plan.

Treatment Phases

EMDR therapists are specially trained and use a treatment with 8 phases:

  • Phase 1 is a history session where you develop a plan with your therapist, discuss targets for EMDR processing, and get questions answered. The length of this treatment can vary based on past trauma or onset of PTSD.
  • Phase 2 is where your EMDR therapist will help you find ways to handle the emotional distress through stress reduction techniques you can use outside of therapy.
  • Phases 3-6 are when you identify and process specific targets with the EMDR therapy. Your therapist will help you work through both positive and negative beliefs and emotions and notice what is happening in your mind and body.
  • Phase 7 is a closure phase where you will keep a log and document anything related to your trauma or treatment that comes up.
  • Phase 8 is a time to examine the process and progress.

Effective Treatment for Trauma in South Jordan, Utah

Multiple studies have confirmed that EMDR therapy is an effective therapy for treating people with PTSD or other trauma. It is recognized by national and international organizations, including the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the U.S. Department of Defense for its ability to help with trauma and PTSD. For many people, it works faster than traditional therapy to overcome trauma. It is considered safe and has few side effects.

If you are experiencing PTSD, trauma, or other mental health issues related to past trauma, call Live Well Counseling in South Jordan, Utah today to find out more about how EMDR therapy in South Jordan could help.