TREATMENT WITH
EMDR Therapy
At The Heights Treatment, we implement EMDR therapy so that you can reprocess traumatic events and experiences in a healthy way so that you can move on with your life.
Heal From Trauma With EMDR Therapy
Heal. Recover. Start at The Heights Treatment
Everyone has life experiences that can lead to stress, overwhelm, or even burnout. But, some life experiences are more negatively impactful than others, leaving us with the deep scars of trauma.
Those suffering from the effects of traumatic events or experiences can feel overtaken by intense emotions, intrusive thoughts, ruminations, and extreme duress. For trauma survivors, it’s often not just difficult to overcome the trauma, but to even manage daily activities.
You don’t have to let past trauma define you. Help is available.
What Is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy developed in the 1980s that empowers individuals to heal from the emotional distress resulting from a traumatic event or long-term traumatic experiences. Studies have shown that EMDR therapy can increase the speed of healing much faster than using only traditional talk therapy alone.
Through specific protocols, EMDR therapy helps the individual activate their natural healing processes so that trauma can be overcome.
What Happens During an EMDR Session?
During an EMDR therapy session, the therapist helps the client work through specific memories of past trauma or negative belief systems while utilizing bilateral stimulation such as eye movement and tapping. This stimulation activates the opposite side of the brain, helping the client process and release emotional experiences.
Unlike a traditional psychotherapy session, this form of therapy does not require that the EMDR therapist and client engage in back-and-forth conversation.
The Role of EMDR in Recovery
EMDR treatment is exceptionally powerful for those with substance use disorders, mental health disorders, or co-occurring disorders such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, or anxiety and depression. There are often traumatic memories or traumatic experiences buried within that lead to maladaptive coping skills and the development of these disorders in the first place.
In recovery, it is important that individuals heal holistically. It’s not enough to just cease the use of substances or negate harmful behaviors. It is crucial that underlying causes are addressed so that relapse can be prevented and recovery can be lifelong.
FAQs About EMDR
Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about EMDR and how this type of therapy can help you recover from addiction and mental health conditions
Who Benefits From EMDR?
EMDR therapy is useful in the treatment of anyone who has suffered emotional distress. In recovery, this type of therapy is an especially effective treatment for those with alcohol use disorder, a history of drug abuse, or those with PTSD symptoms.
When Was EMDR Created?
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing was created in 1987 by American psychologist Francine Shapiro after she discovered that eye movements decreased negative emotions that she attached to her own traumatic experiences.
Shapiro created EMDR based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) theory, which focuses on how memories are stored in the brain.
Is EMDR a Trauma-Focused Therapy?
Yes. EMDR is commonly used in the treatment plans for those suffering from the symptoms of trauma. This type of therapy is popular in treating PTSD in veterans, as well as trauma in civillian clients who have suffered traumatic experiences such as abuse, rape, or other distressing events.
What is the Effectiveness of EMDR for Drug Use Disorders?
EMDR is considered a highly effective therapy in the treatment of substance abuse disorders, however, it is not recommended that anyone who is still actively using drugs or alcohol partake in EMDR therapy as it may reduce effectiveness. Many people use drugs or alcohol as a maladaptive coping skill to “feel less,” and EMDR–as well as other types of therapy–require that clients do intense, deep work within themselves in order to heal.
How Long Does EMDR Take to Start Working?
While there is no “quick fix” in therapy, many people feel a sense of relief more quickly than with other types of traditional therapy.
Some people find that they have completely reprocessed traumatic memories in 6-12 sessions, while some people find that they are at least partially desensitized to these memories in only a few sessions, finding themselves less emotionally reactive when distressing memories arise.
Treat Addiction With EMDR Therapy
If you or a loved one are suffering the effects of a traumatic event or experience, the walls may feel as if they are closing in. This is no way to live.
Our mental health and substance abuse treatment center can help you take control of your life so that your past doesn’t define your future. Call today. Start better tomorrow.
