EMDR Therapy in Philadelphia

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an innovative treatment involving psychotherapy in Philadelphia that has helped countless individuals suffering from trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. At New Narratives Therapy in Philadelphia, PA, our team of compassionate therapists specializes in EMDR to help clients process trauma, relieve emotional distress, and regain control of their lives.

Being a full-service clinic, we assist people with a range of issues, including mental health and anxiety, marital issues, stress at work, and life transitions like trauma, self-reflection, and finding balance in a digital world.

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How Does EMDR Therapy Work?

EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that uses bilateral stimulation of the brain's left and right hemispheres to activate the brain's natural healing process. This bilateral stimulation is done through the therapist guiding the client in sets of repetitive left-right eye movements, taps, or tones.

During EMDR sessions, clients recall distressing images, emotions, and body sensations related to past traumatic events while engaging in the left-right stimulation. This stimulation appears to help the brain access and process these memories and reduce their negative effects.

EMDR therapists aim to help clients replace their distressing memories with more positive thoughts, emotions, and images. Over time, the traumatic memories lose their intensity and are stored by the brain in a more adaptive way. The client gains closure, perspective, and emotional relief.

The Benefits of EMDR Therapy

There are many potential benefits of EMDR therapy and trauma therapy in Philadelphia for those suffering from emotional trauma and distress:

Provides relief from PTSD symptoms like flashbacks, panic attacks, and anxiety.
Reduces symptoms of depression, grief, and negative self-image.
Improves the ability to trust others again after interpersonal trauma.
Decreases overwhelming fear and physical sensations associated with phobias.
Decreases the hurt associated with childhood adversity and neglect
Increases confidence, self-esteem, and sense of empowerment.

EMDR has been proven effective for treating both acute trauma and long-term, complex PTSD from repeated or extreme events. Relief can happen quickly, even after just 1-3 sessions.

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Effective for Individuals With PTSD, Anxiety, & Depression

EMDR therapy has been extensively researched and is recommended by organizations like the World Health Organization for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies have shown EMDR to be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms for survivors of:

Sexual assault and abuse
Combat and war trauma
Serious accidents or injuries
Traumatic grief after the sudden loss of a loved one
Natural disasters

In addition to PTSD, EMDR is increasingly used to successfully treat anxiety, depression, and phobias. The bilateral stimulation used in EMDR sessions can help deactivate the body’s “fight or flight” response from past trauma that causes distress in the present.

EMDR is suitable for both adults and children struggling with unresolved emotional pain. Our therapists will ensure your child feels completely safe and stays in control during EMDR sessions.

What to Expect in EMDR Therapy Sessions

In your initial EMDR consultation, your therapist will take a full history and help you identify the events, emotions, and beliefs still causing you distress. You will then work together to determine your treatment goals and process. During the EMDR sessions themselves, you will remain in control. Your therapist will guide you through the bilateral stimulation while you focus on the upsetting memories and associated feelings and beliefs. They will periodically check in on your progress and comfort.

EMDR sessions typically last 60-90 minutes. The number of sessions needed depends on the history, complexity, and severity of your trauma. Relief from acute trauma may occur in just 3-4 sessions, while long-term trauma generally takes longer. With EMDR, trauma processing happens in a very manageable way. It does not typically cause intense emotional outbursts or pain. You process the memories but remain grounded in the present, aided by your therapist’s support.

After Trauma Treatment with EMDR

EMDR empowers your brain to reprocess and heal from traumatic memories on its own. The bilateral stimulation appears to unlock your brain’s natural resilience and capacity for recovery. With EMDR therapy, your traumatic memories lose their negative charge and are integrated by your brain in a more balanced, adaptive way. You are able to remember the event but without overwhelming emotions and body sensations. This gives you a sense of perspective and frees you to live more fully in the present, unburdened by the past. EMDR can be a life-changing treatment that provides true healing and closure.

Schedule an EMDR Therapy Consultation Today

Schedule a consultation today to discuss how EMDR therapy in Montgomery County, PA, may be right for you. If you or a loved one suffers from PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, or any unresolved emotional wounding, EMDR therapy, and treatment may be able to help you find relief and healing.

The licensed therapists at New Narratives Therapy in Philadelphia are specially trained in EMDR and experienced in guiding clients gently through processing trauma memories and into post-traumatic growth. Call us or request an appointment online to get started.

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