Welcome to Peaceful River EMDR, where innovation meets care.
Our dedicated team specializes in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. We offer tailored mental health solutions that assist in targeted trauma recovery. Begin your path to mental wellness with our expert guidance and supportive environment.
What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)?
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a psychotherapy technique that helps individuals process and heal from traumatic memories. During EMDR therapy, a trained therapist guides the patient through a series of steps. The patient focuses on a specific traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as rapid eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This bilateral stimulation is believed to activate the brain’s natural healing processes, allowing the patient to process the traumatic memory in a new way. Over time, this process can lead to a reduction in the emotional intensity and intrusive thoughts associated with the traumatic memory, ultimately leading to significant relief from symptoms like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR, is a therapeutic approach that helps people process and heal from traumatic memories. During an EMDR session, a trained therapist guides the patient through a series of steps.
Step One: History Taking and Treatment Planning
One of our qualified therapists will work with you to understand your history, identify traumatic events, and develop a treatment plan. We will take time to prepare you for the EMDR process and thoroughly explain how it works and address any concerns.
Step Two: Assessment
Your therapist will then help you identify a specific traumatic memory to target during the EMDR process. You will be asked to recall the memory, focusing on the associated negative thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations.
Step Three: Desensitization
This is the core phase of EMDR. You will focus on the traumatic memory while your therapist guides you through bilateral stimulation, such as rapid eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. This bilateral stimulation is believed to activate the brain's natural healing processes, allowing you to process the traumatic memory in a new way.
Step Four: Installation
Once the emotional intensity of the traumatic memory has decreased, your therapist will help you install a positive belief to replace the negative one. This positive belief can help to challenge and reframe the negative thoughts associated with the trauma.
Step Five: Body Scan
Your therapist will guide you through a body scan to release any residual physical sensations associated with the trauma.
Step Six: Closure
Your therapist will help you to ground yourself and bring your attention back to the present moment.
Step Seven: Reevaluation
Together with your therapist, you will assess the impact of the EMDR session and plan for future sessions as needed.
By repeatedly processing traumatic memories through EMDR, individuals can significantly reduce the emotional intensity and intrusive thoughts associated with these memories, leading to improved mental health and overall well-being.