Saint Paul EMDR Therapy
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a well-established form of therapy that is based on the knowledge that trauma and negative beliefs are stored in the brain and body in a different way than regular memories or thoughts. Regular “talk therapy” can only go so far to release and heal traumatic memories and deep-rooted negative beliefs, and that is where EMDR comes in. Research has shown EMDR to be helpful for trauma, depression, phobias, and body image difficulties. At Venture Therapy, we work with people ages 18+ to address traumatic life events, using EMDR. If you want to learn more, call to schedule a session at Venture Therapy in Saint Paul.
What is EMDR?
EMDR is a unique psychotherapy method used to help people who have experienced a traumatic or disturbing life event. Everyone is different and we all handle our experiences differently. There’s no such thing as a “normal” response. Your brain and body will respond to situations in a way that is appropriate and meaningful for you, and my role is to help you acknowledge, understand, and process your emotional responses. For some people, this just isn’t possible with traditional therapy, or it may take too long to address the trauma through talk therapy. EMDR allows us to breakdown some of the barriers standing between you and the healing effects of therapy after emotional disturbances of any kind.
For more information on EMDR, visit the EMDR International Association website.
Should I Consider EMDR?
If you’re struggling with negative thought processes or emotional pain following a disturbing event, EMDR may be the right option for you. In addition to utilizing EMDR with many of my own clients, I have also seen individuals for EMDR therapy as an adjunct to talk therapy with another therapist, and I am happy to chat with you more about this option if you are currently seeing another therapist. Some of the reasons people consider EMDR include:
Handling post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression.
Dealing with perinatal mental health concerns.
Processing emotions related to divorce or other serious relationship breakdown.
Improving or accelerating the healing results of traditional talk therapy.
Overcoming and moving beyond negative thoughts and beliefs like telling yourself things like “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not loveable”
What Happens During EMDR?
While every person and their experiences are different, and we typically advocate for personalized treatment plans, EMDR calls for a more systematic approach. There are traditionally eight phases of EMDR treatment. I will use many of these steps, but I find it best to offer you more flexible options to address your individual needs.
What Can I Expect After EMDR?
Most people tell me they feel much better almost immediately, using EMDR processing techniques, but it’s completely normal to continue struggling with negative responses after several sessions. It’s a long term process, but if you’re committed to completing the phases of treatment, EMDR can help you train your mind and body to experience positive and negative emotions and physical sensations in safe, comfortable, and healthy ways. You’ll develop skills to confront and address trauma every day.