Recovering from trauma can be challenging. Yet, there are effective, evidence-based therapies designed to help you process difficult experiences, reduce symptoms, and regain control of your life.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is one such therapy that is structured to help you recover from traumatic events.
At Recovery In Tune, EMDR therapy provides a safe, structured approach to help you work through trauma and take significant steps toward healing.
About EMDR Therapy in Trauma Recovery
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a specialized trauma treatment developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro to address how the brain processes painful memories.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR treatment uses guided eye movements and other bilateral stimulation (like taps or tones) to help you reprocess traumatic memories. As you go through EMDR, these memories become less distressing, allowing you to think about past events with less emotional pain.
EMDR is especially effective for people who struggle with conditions related to trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and dissociative disorders.
While EMDR is a non-traditional form of therapy, it’s backed by research showing it can be an effective treatment approach to reduce trauma-related symptoms and the burdens they bear.
Recovery In Tune offers EMDR as part of our trauma recovery programs, recognizing that trauma is at the root of many mental health and substance abuse issues.
The Process of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy typically involves eight distinct phases, each designed to help you process trauma in a structured way. Here’s what the EMDR process might look like:
- History-taking: Your therapist will work with you to understand your history, the trauma you’ve experienced, and your specific goals for therapy. This is a safe, private setting where you can share your experiences and prepare for the work ahead.
- Preparation: In this phase, your therapist will teach you coping techniques to manage distressing emotions during the therapy process. This might include breathing exercises or visualization strategies to help you feel more in control.
- Assessment: You’ll identify the specific memories and triggers you want to work on. During this phase, you’ll pinpoint the physical sensations, emotions, and beliefs associated with the trauma to prepare for processing.
- Desensitization: This is where the core of EMDR therapy happens. Your therapist will guide you through eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation as you focus on specific traumatic memories. Over time, these memories should become less emotionally charged.
- Installation: Here, you’ll work on reinforcing positive beliefs to replace negative thoughts associated with trauma. For example, replacing “I am powerless” with “I am strong” helps establish a sense of confidence and resilience while you process painful memories.
- Body scan: During this phase, your therapist will help you notice any remaining physical tension or distress related to the traumatic memory. This step helps ensure you’ve fully processed the trauma.
- Closure: Each session will end with soothing techniques that bring you back to a calm state, so you don’t leave feeling overwhelmed.
- Reevaluation: In follow-up sessions, your therapist will review your progress and decide if further work on certain traumatic experiences is needed or if new issues have emerged that require deeper attention.
How Does EMDR Benefit People in Trauma Recovery?
EMDR has proven beneficial for people recovering from trauma and negative beliefs for several reasons. Some benefits include:
- Reduces distress: By reprocessing traumatic memories, EMDR can reduce the emotional and physical distress associated with painful past events. This helps you experience fewer symptoms of anxiety, flashbacks, and emotional numbness.
- Better coping skills: EMDR is designed to equip you with tools to manage strong emotions more effectively. This increased resilience can be helpful in daily life, making it easier to handle potential stressors.
- Improves emotional balance: Trauma can often disrupt your sense of well-being. EMDR can help you regain emotional balance, fostering a greater sense of control over your life and emotions.
- Builds positive beliefs: Throughout EMDR therapy, you work on replacing negative self-beliefs with positive affirmations. This can lead to improvements in self-esteem and mental health.
- Addresses PTSD symptoms: For those with PTSD, EMDR can target specific symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks, and hypervigilance, reducing the frequency and severity of these symptoms.
Types of Trauma EMDR Can Treat
EMDR therapy is effective for treating many types of trauma and can be a life-changing tool in your treatment planning. Types of trauma EMDR may treat:
- Acute trauma resulting from single, distressing events, such as accidents or natural disasters.
- Complex trauma from ongoing, repeated exposure to difficult experiences, such as long-term abuse or neglect.
- Childhood traumatic experiences, such as emotional or physical abuse, neglect, or loss of a caregiver.
- Combat-related trauma for veterans and others affected by violent or other combat-related events that create complex PTSD symptoms.
- Sexual and physical assault and the often intense emotions tied to these traumatic events that can have long-term effects on your mental health and physical health.
- Psychological trauma that impacts mental health deeply, often involving intense feelings of helplessness, betrayal, or fear, whether from relational abuse or life-altering events.
- Trauma experienced by first responders, such as police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders are regularly exposed to distressing events. EMDR can support you in managing symptoms of trauma related to your work, including flashbacks, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.
While EMDR therapy at Recovery In Tune specializes in trauma-related issues, it’s also helpful for other mental health problems that stem from trauma, like:
- Phobias
- Panic disorder
- Dissociative disorders
- Certain symptoms of psychotic disorders
Talk with our team of mental health professionals to learn whether EMDR therapy is right to help you process your life experiences and regain control of your emotional health.
Mental Health Programs at Recovery In Tune Offering Trauma EMDR
At Recovery In Tune, we offer EMDR therapy with different levels of outpatient care. Each of our programs provide a specific structure to meet your unique needs during trauma recovery.
Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) offers a structured, intensive therapy schedule if you need significant support but not round-the-clock hospitalization.
PHP includes daily sessions of EMDR therapy for eligible patients along with other supportive therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and wellness education. PHP is ideal if you need comprehensive support but can manage some aspects of daily life independently.
The intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides a flexible approach to trauma recovery.
You’ll attend therapy several times a week, receiving a blend of EMDR, group counseling, and individual therapy to work on healing while balancing daily responsibilities.
This program is suitable for people transitioning from PHP or those who need substantial support without full hospitalization.
Our outpatient program (OP) is designed if you have achieved emotional stability and are ready for more independent living.
EMDR therapy sessions in OPs are scheduled at a frequency that supports your continued recovery, so you can process trauma while reintegrating into daily life.
Now is the perfect time to begin to heal!
What to Expect in Trauma Recovery EMDR at Recovery In Tune
If you’re new to EMDR therapy, Recovery In Tune is here to offer you a safe and comprehensive healing experience. Here’s what you can expect with us:
- Supportive environment: Our therapists create a safe, supportive space for you to work through trauma. Sessions are structured to help you feel grounded and in control.
- Personalized approach: EMDR at Recovery In Tune is tailored to your needs, allowing you to address specific traumatic memories and personal challenges at your pace.
- Ongoing progress checks: We monitor your progress carefully, ensuring each EMDR phase is complete before moving on, so you don’t feel rushed or overwhelmed.
- Compassionate professionals: Our EMDR therapists are highly trained in trauma recovery, understanding the complex emotions and reactions that arise during EMDR. They’re there to guide and support you as you gradually heal from past traumatic experiences.
How Much Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy How Much Does Trauma Recovery EMDR Cost??
The cost of EMDR therapy varies depending on the program you choose and your personal treatment needs.
Many insurance providers cover EMDR as part of mental health care, particularly when included in comprehensive programs like PHP or IOP.
At Recovery In Tune, we’ll work with you to verify your insurance benefits and provide transparent information on any out-of-pocket costs, ensuring therapy remains accessible.
Heal From Trauma with Targeted EMDR Sessions
At Recovery In Tune, EMDR therapy is designed to help you process and move beyond trauma in a compassionate, structured environment.
With targeted EMDR sessions, you can start to release the intense emotions tied to painful memories, ultimately creating space for growth, resilience, and a renewed sense of self.
Healing from trauma is possible, and our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way.
Trauma Recovery EMDR FAQs
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, often through eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. Your therapist may guide you to move your eyes back and forth or engage in similar exercises while recalling specific memories. These exercises help the brain reprocess memories so they’re less distressing.
Yes, it’s normal to experience strong emotions, including crying, during EMDR therapy. Processing traumatic memories can bring up intense feelings, and crying is a natural release.
Your therapist will support you throughout the session, ensuring you feel safe as you work through strong and complicated emotions.
EMDR should be done with a trained clinician to ensure it’s safe and effective. Attempting EMDR on your own could worsen your condition without the proper tools to manage the feelings and body sensations that may arise during a session.
Trained professionals know how to guide you through each phase of an EMDR session, helping you stay grounded and safe throughout the therapy.
Research shows that EMDR can be highly effective for trauma recovery, reducing symptoms of PTSD and improving mental health.
Many people experience significant relief from trauma-related symptoms, such as flashbacks, anxiety, and emotional distress, after completing EMDR therapy.
Trained professionals know how to guide you through each phase of an EMDR session, helping you stay grounded and safe throughout the therapy.
Sources
- American Psychological Association. “What is EMDR therapy and why is it used to treat PTSD?” Retrieved from: https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/emdr-therapy-ptsd. Accessed on October 30, 2024.
- Journal of EMDR Practice. “A Clinician’s Guide to the Efficacy of EMDR Therapy.” Retrieved from: https://www.emdria.org/blog/a-clinicians-guide-to-the-efficacy-of-emdr-therapy/. Accessed on October 30, 2024.
- Sage Journals. “How does EMDR work?” Retrieved from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.5127/jep.028212. Accessed on October 30, 2024.
- Trauma Recovery EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs. “What is EMDR?” Retrieved from: https://emdrhap.org/about/what-is-emdr/. Accessed on October 30, 2024.
- World Health Organization. “Guidelines for the Management of Conditions Specifically Related to Stress.” Retrieved from: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/85119/9789241505406_eng.pdf. Accessed on October 30, 2024.
- World Health Organization. “WHO releases guidance on mental health care after trauma.” Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/news/item/06-08-2013-who-releases-guidance-on-mental-health-care-after-trauma. Accessed on October 30, 2024.