Progress Counseling is proud to offer evidence based, effective therapy for clients recovering from trauma, mental health symptom, relationship ruptures. Several of our clinicians are trained and experienced in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a form of therapy that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Originally developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro, EMDR is a psychotherapy technique that is primarily used to treat individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
EMDR therapy is based on the belief that traumatic experiences can become “stuck” in the brain, and that the therapy can help individuals to reprocess these experiences in a more adaptive way. This is accomplished by having the client recall a traumatic experience while simultaneously engaging in a form of bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping. The goal is to help the client process the traumatic experience, and to reduce the emotional intensity associated with it.
EMDR has been studied extensively in clinical trials, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has recognized EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) have both endorsed its use in the treatment of PTSD.
One of the major advantages of EMDR therapy is its efficiency. Traditional talk therapies can take months or even years to achieve significant progress, while EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective in a relatively short amount of time. This is particularly important for individuals suffering from PTSD, who may be dealing with debilitating symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety.
In one study, EMDR therapy was compared to prolonged exposure therapy (PET), another common treatment for PTSD. The study found that both therapies were effective in reducing PTSD symptoms, but that EMDR therapy required fewer sessions to achieve the same level of improvement as PET. This suggests that EMDR may be a more efficient and cost-effective treatment option for individuals suffering from PTSD.
Another advantage of EMDR therapy is its ability to be adapted for use in a variety of settings. EMDR therapy can be used with individuals, couples, families, and groups, and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual client. Additionally, EMDR therapy can be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as medication or traditional talk therapy.
EMDR therapy has also been shown to be effective in treating a variety of other mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and phobias. In fact, some studies have found that EMDR therapy can be as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating anxiety disorders.
Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting the effectiveness of EMDR therapy, there are still some who remain skeptical. One of the criticisms of EMDR therapy is that it is not fully understood how it works. Some researchers have suggested that the bilateral stimulation used in EMDR therapy may help to stimulate the brain’s natural healing processes, while others believe that the eye movements or tapping may help to desensitize the client to the traumatic experience.
Another criticism of EMDR therapy is that it may be too focused on the individual’s subjective experience, and may not take into account the social and cultural factors that may have contributed to the trauma. However, proponents of EMDR therapy argue that the therapy can be adapted to address these factors, and that the therapy’s effectiveness is ultimately determined by the therapist’s skill in adapting the therapy to the client’s needs.
In conclusion, EMDR therapy is a highly effective treatment for individuals suffering from PTSD and other mental health conditions. The therapy’s efficiency, adaptability, and ability to be used in conjunction with other treatments make it a valuable tool in the field of psychotherapy. While there may still be some skepticism surrounding the therapy, the overwhelming evidence supporting its effectiveness should give individuals hope that they can overcome their trauma and achieve a more