Can you benefit from EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a technique that can help reduce the symptoms you may be experiencing. The treatment is revolutionary and can help you feel better. Dr. Hutchinson is trained and qualified to use EMDR by the EMDR Institute and is one of a few therapists in Southwest Florida and Fort Myers that is trained to use this technique.
EMDR therapy reduces upsetting feelings when thinking about a bad memory from your past. Some examples include if you had a car accident, endured some abuse during your lifetime or as a child, or had a bad relationship breakup. These memories may be “stuck” and they may cause overwhelming feelings when you think about them. Naturally, you may avoid thinking about them because they are distressing. The problem is that avoiding these unpleasant memories does not help them go away in the long run. Some people numb themselves out with addictive behaviors such as alcohol, drugs, shopping, etc. The only way to “solve” the problem is to face it and EMDR can help you move through those memories faster.
Although EMDR has been traditionally used to reduce symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it can be used with a wide variety of symptoms. These include phobias, depression, anxiety, grief, and any unresolved issues you may have in your past. EMDR therapy may help with anxiety, depression, nightmares, flashbacks, sleep difficulties, intrusive thoughts, difficulty concentrating, unexplained physical symptoms such as fatigue, pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, and more.
How does EMDR work?
EMDR can help with depression, anxiety, grief, and any unresolved issues you may have in your past.
It works because it helps facilitate your own capability to heal by processing memories through eye movements or other bilateral stimulation. The process is beneficial because a client does not have to tell their entire traumatic experience in detail. They can process the memory networks associated with the trauma with brief descriptions. The benefit is that clients often can look back on the event with little or no distress than they have previously experienced. A highly distressing event can become neutral or even positive.
The idea is that difficulties that you may be experiencing now are informed and related to past experiences that are not adequately processed. Some past events or memories may be “frozen” in time. You don’t have to force yourself to remember anything. The process of EMDR will allow your brain to connect events and heal. It will link your present difficulties with past experiences (perhaps dysfunctional memories) and incorporate them into adaptive memories. Through this process of integration, the memories lose their “power” and you can process the memories more positively. Additionally, your present distressing symptoms may decrease.
How long does it take?
Sessions can last up to 90 minutes for best results. Weekly sessions are recommended. Treatment sessions vary based on the individual patient including, previous history, counseling, current stressors, etc. It is possible your EMDR treatment goals may be completed in as little as 8-10 sessions but may be longer based on other factors.
EMDR consists of 8 phases. The first two phases, history taking/assessment may take 2-4 sessions but more depending on many factors that you would discuss with your therapist. Also, EMDR is not something you do for a couple of sessions. It is a process and you must be committed to it and follow your therapist’s guidance to complete the process properly.
Is it normal to feel reluctant or fearful?
It is completely natural to feel this way during the therapeutic process. After the assessment phase, you may learn new coping skills and a tailored treatment plan that works for your treatment. It is also vital to have the right mental attitude toward the process. It is important that you believe that treatment works and that you set the intention to release these distressful memories and heal.