If you’re suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, then Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) could be the right treatment option for you.

It’s important to note that only a mental health or medical professional can diagnose you with PTSD. If you went through a traumatic experience, and feel you’re suffering from symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts and more, it may be time to be evaluated for PTSD. Take our self-test today and reach out for help.

 

 

After diagnosis, you and your therapist can assess whether EMDR is the right treatment option for you.

 

What is EMDR?

EMDR is a powerful, effective method of psychotherapy that can ease varying levels of psychological distress. EMDR is designated as an effective treatment by the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

In therapy sessions, a safe space will be created in which the therapist will guide you through the EMDR process. This includes a focused-based technique using eye movements, imagery, and additional stress relief techniques. After we experience a traumatic event, a memory becomes “stuck in time,” and reliving this experience may feel as if you’re going through it for the first time. The elements that trigger you, such as the images, sounds, smells, and feelings, have not yet changed and such memories have a lasting negative effect that interferes with the way a person sees the world and the way they relate to other people.

EMDR focuses on redefining your relationship with these elements, to reduce the triggering your trauma and distress.

What can EMDR do for me?

EMDR seems to have a direct effect on the way that the brain processes information. Many types of therapy have similar goals. EMDR appears to be similar to what occurs naturally during dreaming or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Therefore, EMDR can be thought of as a physiologically based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new and less distressing way.

PTSD can cause problems with coworkers, friends, and loved ones. Alcohol or drug abuse are also factors that may arise as the situation worsens and the coping skills you learn to deal with PTSD can work in other areas of your life, and EMDR therapy can be an effective tool in this process.

Reach out today

If you’re struggling with trauma-related issues, reach out to Eastside Center for Healing today. Help is available, and you are not alone.

 

Available Counseling Options

Assessment

IOP (intensive outpatient) Treatment

OP (outpatient) Continuing Care

Individual Counseling

Family Counseling

Referral and Inpatient Treatment Planning