(EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a form of psychotherapy designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

EMDR allows the brain to do the processing with interventions indicated when the client’s process is stuck. EMDR was originally developed as a desensitization technique. For example, you thought about an experience that is disturbing long after the traumatic event occurrent. You now focus on it until it is not no longer disturbing.

EMDR also helps with relationship problems, self-esteem issues and self-regulation difficulties over the course of a lifetime. The symptoms are based in formative and often pervasive attachment experiences wherein people were hurt and wounded. What is missing is guidance and support during the formative years. Staying out of the way is still important, but it is not sufficient.  Clients experiencing relationship problems are living with complex trauma.

The absence of the negative does not automatically translate into the positive. EMDR therapy harnesses an integrative psychotherapy approach. 

The goal is to assist clients realize their sense of self, unencumbered by historic events, but defined and informed by who you are becoming now and going forward into their future.

There have been major advances in the field of attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology, affective neurosciences and body psychotherapies. Those four areas of psychosocial boundaries have made a difference for clients. EMDR should treat the entire body which is and has been the focus of Bright Path Program. Treating the entire body brings mastery along with technique.

Benefits of EMDR Therapy

EMDR is Effective for Trauma Recovery and grief loss. Our programming provides the following recovery modalities:

• Anxiety;
• Circular Thinking; 
• Require Minimal Talking; 
• Improves Self-Respect; and 
• EMDR provides Fast Results.

EMDR therapy has important benefits for people struggling with PTSD, depression and/or anxiety.  The five most helpful benefits of EMDR therapy are addressed below.

Anxiety and Circular Thinking

EMDR therapy is also a tool for treating generalized anxiety, phobias, and other anxiety disorders. EMDR helps release circular thinking patterns. With the help of EMDR fears and worries can be addressed without becoming lost in anxiety.

Does Not Require Talking

EMDR treatment does not require talking about traumatic events. Your therapist will encourage you to focus on your negative thoughts or memories as they guide eye movements, so your experience will be mostly internal. After the session, you can discuss your experience with your therapist.

EMDR therapy is an accessible form of healthcare for people who struggling to articulate their feelings in words. The makes EMDR an easier and less stressful form of therapy. You just do not have to find the words to express how you are feeling. 

Working with an EMDR Therapist

Many people have had successful EMDR therapy sessions. It is not always easy to discuss issues with a therapist. However, counselors will support you in the process to maintain better mental and emotional health.

When your brain has been stuck in unhealthy patterns for a long time, you might feel as if you may never escape your negative thoughts or stop thinking about past trauma. The thought should be that EMDR is the therapy that retrains the brain, just as massage retrains your brain after a fall and/or accident. Retraining the brain is the key to success for mental issues, as well as physical issues.

Bright Path Program offers EMDR therapy at our two out-patient clients (Sandy Springs and Buckhead). Our counselors are trained and experienced in EMDR. To learn more about our programming please fill out the information below.