EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a proven therapeutic methodology that helps people work through heavy emotional weight and tough memories from events that have occurred at various points in their pasts.
If you’re struggling to cope with past events or navigate the present, EMDR therapy from Miami Hypnosis and Therapy may help. Connect with us to find out if EMDR therapy is right for you.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy from Miami Hypnosis and Therapy involves guided reprocessing using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or other sensory inputs, to reprocess memories and improve thought patterns. Instead of reliving traumatic events or painful experiences, EMDR therapy centers more on how the memories are stored and how the brain can interpret them in a healthier way.
Certain memories might feel really intense at first, and the goal is to lessen that intensity gradually, which helps with healthier emotional responses.
EMDR therapist Anna Marchenko, LMHC, M.A., Ed.M., provides a safe, structured environment, free from judgment, so you can focus on healing.
What Does EMDR Therapy Treat?
EMDR therapy was originally developed to treat trauma in the 1980s, but it is now being used effectively for much more.
- Post-traumatic stress symptoms and general trauma
- Anxiety and panic responses
- Stress related to past experiences
- Negative self-beliefs
- Difficulty managing emotional reactions
EMDR therapy deals with memory processing, so emotional distress can be reduced to make way for greater emotional stability.
The Phases of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy from Miami Hypnosis and Therapy follows an established 8-phase structure.
1. Planning:
Your Miami EMDR therapist asks about your history as well as any present symptoms that may need to be addressed, which helps the therapist develop an appropriate treatment plan for you.
2. Preparation:
You’ll learn all about EMDR, from the process and techniques to any associated risks or discomfort, and develop a relationship with your therapist.
3. Assessment:
The “target event,” or the event you need to reprocess, is identified during the Assessment phase, along with the associated thoughts and feelings. Baseline measurements are established.
4. Desensitization:
Bilateral stimulation, like sounds, taps, and eye movements, is used during this phase, as you focus on your target event.
5. Installation
After desensitization, you should begin to have more positive associations with the target event.
6. Body Scan
Once you have “installed” the new positive beliefs, you’ll take an inventory of your senses while you think about your target event, and any lingering negative feedback from your body is reprocessed.
7. Closure
The goal of EMDR Therapy closure is to reach a state of neutrality, with positive beliefs and no associated body disturbances. Your therapist from Miami Hypnosis and Therapy will guide you to return to a state of calm and measure the current Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) scale and the Validity of Cognition (VOC) scale against your baseline.
8. Reevaluation:
After reprocessing is considered complete for your target event, you’ll discuss your next target event to reprocess or determine if continued treatment is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR Therapy
Is EMDR an evidence-based approach?
Yes. EMDR is certainly recognized as an evidence-based approach. There is plenty of research backing its effectiveness for trauma and other related mental health issues.
Are EMDR sessions safe?
Absolutely. EMDR is very safe, but it must be performed by a skilled and licensed mental health professional, with structured and supervised sessions.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
It would be impossible to provide a specific number since each treatment plan varies. Generally, it depends on a variety of factors and can be discussed during your initial consult.
Miami Hypnosis and Therapy EMDR
Miami Hypnosis and Therapy offers a supportive environment and evidence-based treatment modalities. Your sessions will be led by Anna Marchenko, LMHC, Ed.M, M.A., a licensed mental health counselor with specialized training in psychotherapy and trauma-informed care.
If you’re looking for EMDR therapy in Miami, you’ll find a treatment plan customized to reflect your unique experiences and overall goals.
If you feel like you’re carrying a lot lately, you don’t have to do it on your own. Book your appointment today.
