By Morgen Warner, LCSW
Are you or someone you know suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other trauma? If so, EMDR therapy may help.
Many of you may have heard of EMDR therapy. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This therapy can help people to heal from the emotional distress associated with experiencing trauma. EMDR is an internal processing that is different from typical “talk therapy.” It may sound out of the ordinary, but it is highly effective. Here are some interesting facts you should know provided by the EMDR Institute:
- Research has been conducted on EMDR and shows that it may help clients to experience healing in a shorter time frame than other types of therapy.
- EMDR therapy demonstrates that the mind and body are similar. The body can heal from physical trauma and the mind can heal from psychological trauma.
- Some research shows that 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have post-traumatic stress disorder after only three 90-minute sessions.
- A study, funded by Kaiser Permanente, found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims no longer were diagnosed with PTSD after only six 50-minute sessions.
- EMDR is now recognized as an effective trauma treatment by the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization and the Department of Defense.
I have been providing EMDR therapy for the past year at Pennock Center for Counseling. When I use this therapy, I help clients to engage both sides of their brain using Dual Attention Stimulation (DAS). The different DAS that can be used include eye movements, tones, vibration (using a special audio machine) or taps. The client decides which type of DAS is best for them. The DAS is implemented in order to engage the brain’s capability for healing from trauma. Many of Pennock’s clients have reported positive results from this treatment. EMDR can be used to effectively treat a number of different conditions including:
- Addictions
- Complicated Grief
- Disturbing Memories
- Pain Disorders
- Panic Attacks
- Performance Anxiety
- Phobias
- Sexual and/or Physical Abuse
- Stress
If you have questions about EMDR or are interested in receiving this kind of therapy, please give us a call at 303-655-9065.
Suggested Reading:
What is the actual EMDR session like?
EMDR Institute, Inc.