5 Benefits of EMDR Therapy
Developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro, EMDR has gained widespread recognition as an effective treatment approach for conditions like PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, low self-esteem and more.
So what does the EMDR process involve and what are the main benefits?
Here we explore what makes this therapy so transformative:
An Overview of EMDR Therapy
The EMDR process allows distressing information that is stored in the brain to be reprocessed with more adaptive resolution. This reprocessing and desensitization of traumatic memories takes place through guided eye movements and bilateral stimulation like taps or sounds.An EMDR session involves identifying a target traumatic memory, assessing any negative beliefs associated with the event, and processing the experience while focusing on external stimuli provided by the therapist. This facilitates an adaptive shift in how the memory is stored in the neural networks.
5 Major Benefits of EMDR Therapy
Resolves PTSD and Trauma Symptoms
EMDR is internationally recognised as an effective first-line treatment for PTSD. Multiple controlled studies have shown EMDR eliminates or greatly reduces the symptoms of post-traumatic stress such as flashbacks, nightmares and heightened anxiety and emotional distress.
By reprocessing the dysfunctional emotions locked within traumatic memories, EMDR provides long-lasting relief as people are able to integrate these experiences in a healthy way.
EMDR is internationally recognised as an effective first-line treatment for PTSD. Multiple controlled studies have shown EMDR eliminates or greatly reduces the symptoms of post-traumatic stress such as flashbacks, nightmares and heightened anxiety and emotional distress.
By reprocessing the dysfunctional emotions locked within traumatic memories, EMDR provides long-lasting relief as people are able to integrate these experiences in a healthy way.
Eases Depression and Anxiety Disorders
In addition to resolving trauma, EMDR also alleviates symptoms of many anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, phobias, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, OCD and health anxiety. Relaxation techniques and coping methods also equip people with skills to better manage stress.
EMDR also helps treat depressive disorders by targeting the root causes like childhood adversity, distorted negative beliefs and unprocessed grief that contribute to ongoing depressed moods. Tackling these fundamental issues facilitates recovery.
In addition to resolving trauma, EMDR also alleviates symptoms of many anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, phobias, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, OCD and health anxiety. Relaxation techniques and coping methods also equip people with skills to better manage stress.
EMDR also helps treat depressive disorders by targeting the root causes like childhood adversity, distorted negative beliefs and unprocessed grief that contribute to ongoing depressed moods. Tackling these fundamental issues facilitates recovery.
Boosts Self-Esteem and Confidence
Many emotional disorders like chronic anxiety and depression are perpetuated by underlying negative beliefs about oneself that took root earlier in life. EMDR helps identify these self-limiting assumptions and beliefs and reframe them into positive self-perception.
By addressing experiences that gave rise to low self-worth and processing the emotions bound to memories of failure, rejection or criticism, self-esteem improves as self-enhancing beliefs replace old assumptions.
Many emotional disorders like chronic anxiety and depression are perpetuated by underlying negative beliefs about oneself that took root earlier in life. EMDR helps identify these self-limiting assumptions and beliefs and reframe them into positive self-perception.
By addressing experiences that gave rise to low self-worth and processing the emotions bound to memories of failure, rejection or criticism, self-esteem improves as self-enhancing beliefs replace old assumptions.
Enhances Emotional Resilience and Coping Ability
By processing memories of past trauma and adversity, EMDR builds emotional resilience by equipping people with inner resources to handle challenges. Integrating traumatic events in a healthy way facilitates recovery while altering how future stress is perceived and handled.
EMDR also teaches powerful relaxation techniques and stress reduction methods like safe/calm place, container and light stream that provide lifelong tools to induce relaxation regardless of circumstances.
By processing memories of past trauma and adversity, EMDR builds emotional resilience by equipping people with inner resources to handle challenges. Integrating traumatic events in a healthy way facilitates recovery while altering how future stress is perceived and handled.
EMDR also teaches powerful relaxation techniques and stress reduction methods like safe/calm place, container and light stream that provide lifelong tools to induce relaxation regardless of circumstances.
Restores Holistic Balance and Wellness
EMDR takes a holistic approach in promoting healing by addressing the mind-body connection. Trauma manifests in physiological ways like muscle tension, pain and altered heart rate variability. EMDR restores balanced functioning across emotional, mental, physical and social domains.
A study on EMDR showed a significant reduction in physical complaints after treatment with less back pain, headache, respiratory problems and reduced need for medications. The integrated approach facilitates overall wellness.
EMDR takes a holistic approach in promoting healing by addressing the mind-body connection. Trauma manifests in physiological ways like muscle tension, pain and altered heart rate variability. EMDR restores balanced functioning across emotional, mental, physical and social domains.
A study on EMDR showed a significant reduction in physical complaints after treatment with less back pain, headache, respiratory problems and reduced need for medications. The integrated approach facilitates overall wellness.
EMDR: Conclusion
While EMDR involves processing intensely emotional experiences, skilled EMDR practitioners ensure the process occurs in a controlled and gentle way that allows integration and release of trapped emotions safely.This powerful modality can lead to substantial transformation in all areas of functioning. If you’re struggling with a traumatic memory or emotional distress, we encourage you to book an initial consultation to explore whether EMDR is appropriate for your needs.
We provide professional EMDR therapy in London or online for all our clients seeking lasting healing and freedom from the past.
Please reach out to find out more or get started on your journey.
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