Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy that involves making specific eye movements to reduce negative feelings associated with traumatic episodes. It is commonly used in PTSD treatment, but it can treat other mental health conditions as well. It has been shown to produce successful results in patients dealing with trauma.
EMDR therapy can be conducted in a doctor’s office, or it can take place online. EMDR telehealth options eliminate the inconvenience of a long commute. It makes this type of treatment accessible to more people and allows them to get the care they need from the comfort of their own homes.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR involves following the movements of a therapist’s finger with your eyes while processing traumatic events. The therapist will offer vocal guidance throughout the process.
The therapy’s goal is to eliminate the negative feelings you associate with traumatic events. It initiates a natural healing process in the brain for long-term results.
The process relies on the model of Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) developed by Francine Shapiro, PhD. The theory states that the brain stores normal and traumatic memories differently. When a normal event occurs, your brain will store the memory smoothly. It will connect it to your other memories.
When a traumatic event occurs, there’s a disconnect between what you are experiencing and what your brain is remembering. This process does not allow your brain to heal. The trauma becomes a wound in your brain that doesn’t allow you to understand that you are no longer in danger.
New experiences can irritate the wound making you relive your experiences. That’s why many PTSD patients have flashbacks and nightmares.
EMDR helps you recall memories in a specific way. It allows you to reprocess traumatic memories. It helps repair the wound. It won’t make you forget the memories, but it will make them less traumatic to relive.
How Long Are EMDR Sessions And When Will I Feel The Effects?
EMDR therapy sessions typically last 60-90 minutes. Many patients will usually overcome symptoms in 6-12 sessions, but some may see results sooner. One study showed that 90% of single-trauma victims overcame their PTSD symptoms after just three 90-minute sessions.
What Conditions Does EMDR Treat?
EMDR can be used to treat a range of mental health conditions and symptoms including:
- Anxiety and panic disorders, phobias, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorder
- Depression disorders such as major depressive disorder, postpartum depression, and persistent depressive disorder
- Dissociative disorders like amnesia and dissociative identity disorder
- Eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and hoarding disorder
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Personality disorders such as avoidant personality disorder, antisocial disorder, and borderline personality disorder
- Trauma disorders like PTSD, acute stress disorder, and adjustment disorder
What Are The Benefits Of EMDR Telehealth?
It is no longer always necessary to go into a doctor’s office to get EMDR therapy. EMDR telehealth options are available through Chicago mental health counseling centers and other clinics. Here are some of the benefits it provides:
- More Convenient: Online mental health therapy allows you to access therapy without a time-consuming commute making it a more convenient option.
- Less Stress: Many people dealing with PTSD and other mental health conditions experience stress when they leave their homes and go to unfamiliar places. Online therapy allows them to get the help they need without this added stress.
- Better Outcomes: The stress and expenses attached to a doctor’s office visit make patients more likely to cancel appointments. A virtual appointment can be easier to manage. It reduces the need for cancellations and improves health outcomes.
- More Accessible: Some people live in areas with limited access to mental health services. The internet gives them access to clinics around the world so they can get the care they need.
Mental health conditions can hold you back from enjoying life. EMDR can help you overcome symptoms. If you live in Chicago, reach out to a Chicago Mental Health Counseling center that offers telehealth sessions so you can move past your trauma and improve your state of mind.