What is EMDR?

emdr-therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an innovative and exciting form of therapy that we are excited to offer at Jupiter Counseling. It is a therapy process that involves desensitizing negative thoughts and feelings and reinforcing positive networks of thought and feeling.

Benefits of EMDR

EMDR therapy was originally developed to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is a widely respected treatment for trauma, and is also highly effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, grief, addiction, compulsive behaviors, and adjustment to adverse life events. EMDR is also an extremely useful treatment for emotional issues that have a pattern of surfacing in relationships, such as feeling abandoned, unheard, or not good enough. Your clinician will talk to you about what issues you want to work on, and together you will identify the negative thoughts, feelings, and body sensations connected with this issue. The clinician will then do EMDR reprocessing to help you find resolution and relief.

What is the process of EMDR?

During EMDR reprocessing, you are exposed to a back-and-forth stimulation (watching a light move side-to-side, headphones buzzing back-and-forth, etc.) while your clinician guides you in thinking and talking about your targeted issue. This allows your mind to work through the issues and let in more positive and adaptive thoughts and feelings. Researchers believe the bilateral stimulation of the back-and-forth motions works similar to our REM sleep cycle, which is the phase of sleep where your eyes dart around and your mind problem solves.

EMDR therapy is recognized worldwide for its benefits and is backed by a great deal of peer-reviewed scientific research, as well as thousands of case studies. EMDR therapy is recognized and endorsed by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of Health.

Usually a minimum of 3-5 weekly sessions is recommended for optimal results.

 For more information, you can visit www.emdria.com or call Jupiter Counseling and Wellness at (561) 575-0575.