WHAT IS EMDR?

By: Brad Cullum, MA, LPC, EMDR

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is an extensively researched and proven tool therapists use to help clients become free of hurtful past experiences. This trauma therapy is an integrative psychotherapy method, incorporating multiple approaches. The beauty of EMDR is that the process allows your brain to do what your brain does, activating the natural healing process to recover from trauma.

During an EMDR session, the patient focuses on external stimuli by using alternating eye movements, lights, sounds, and/or vibrations during the recollection of certain elements of a traumatic experience. This multi-step approach has a direct impact on the way the brain processes information. The pathways are opened up to allow one to process information that did not get appropriately processed at the time of the trauma. Therefore, following successful EMDR therapy, a person no longer relives the feelings, images, smells, and sounds that were previously triggered during times of stress. While the memory is still there, remembering the trauma becomes less upsetting. The memory is seen in a new light, and no longer affects the person’s daily life.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM EMDR?

Anyone. People process trauma in different ways. What may be traumatic to one person, may not be for the next. In our practice, we have seen numerous traumas relieved, and in many cases, relatively quickly. EMDR can help those suffering from, but not limited to, the following:

• anxiety & depression

• abuse (emotional, physical, and sexual)

• PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

• phobias

• car accidents, major injuries, sports injuries

• chronic illness & pain

• painful childhood

• death of a loved one

• catastrophic events

• work, school, and sports anxiety (test anxiety, performance anxiety)

• abandonment issues

• fear of failure

• procrastination

• life transitions

• low confidence

• painful break-ups or divorce

• those stuck in a state of unforgiveness

FINAL THOUGHTS

EMDR does not help you forget the event, instead it allows you to dispense with the fight, flight, or freeze response that is often attached to trauma. It is not necessary for those who have experienced traumatic events to continue to dwell in the event without hope. People are finding freedom by properly processing traumatic events. Life can be different. Life can be better. Trauma can be broken.

Additional information can be found at emdria.org

ARE YOU SEEKING HELP WITH CODEPENDENCY OR NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Brad Cullum is a Mental Health Counselor working in Argyle, Texas.  He provides therapy for those struggling with issues related to codependency, anxiety, depression, addiction, and relationships.  He is the Owner of Harvest Counseling & Wellness and Co-Founder of Redeemed Life Counseling, LLC.  His office is located near Denton, Highland Village, Flower Mound, Lantana, Roanoke, and Justin.  If you are looking for a therapist in the Denton area, contact him today for a complimentary phone consultation, 940-241-4140.