What Is EMDR Therapy in St. George?

At Elevated Counseling and Wellness, we believe in bringing innovative, yet proven, therapeutic solutions to our clients. Each individual brings their own unique struggles, and some approaches that work for others may not work for you. 

Patients who have experienced traumatic events and subsequent PTSD may require specialized treatment solutions that help create a safe path to address these memories. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed in the late 1980s, and in the years since has helped patients across the globe address and overcome traumatic memories and symptoms of PTSD that previously disrupted their daily lives. 

In this blog, we’ll explore what you need to know about EMDR therapy in St. George Utah, and whether or not it may be the right therapeutic approach for your needs. 

The History and Efficacy of EMDR Therapy

You may have only heard of EMDR in passing, but has a well documented track record, therapeutic recognition, and a long history supporting it. EMDR therapy was pioneered in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro. EMDR is a form of exposure therapy that utilizes rapid eye movements (called saccadic movements) to reduce negative memories and thoughts. Dr. Shapiro discovered this method through self-application when walking through the woods. She decided to delve deeper into her hypothesis through extensive trials and testing. Clinical trials showed promising results for the method’s usage in therapeutic treatment. 

Over time, a wider and wider range of agencies have validated the findings Dr. Shapiro presented. The U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs, for instance, gives the “strongest recommendation” for the value of EMDR therapy in treating PTSD and its associated symptoms. The American Psychological Association conditionally recommends the use of EMDR therapy. 

EMDR has proven results, but how does it actually work?

How Does EMDR Therapy Work?

EMDR therapy relies on Adaptive Information Processing. Instead of simply trying to treat symptoms of PTSD, it focuses on addressing core wounds that produce traumatic responses. Traumatic memories are stored in a different way than standard memories. Our brains can build pathways between traumatic memories and triggers that recall those experiences, such as sights, sounds, or smells. Without properly healing from the initial traumatizing event, the emotional response can recur when faced with these triggers. 

Using specific eye movements and guided instructions, EMDR helps you confront and repair these harmful memories. The procedure is conducted over the course of eight sessions that help break up the experience into navigable chunks. They are as follows:

Phase 1: Intake

The intake phase will be an information gathering session. You’ll complete paper work, and your therapist will begin gathering information about your history to ensure EMDR therapy is an optimal treatment for your specific needs.

Phase 2: Preparation and Education

Next, you’ll meet up with your therapist  to prepare you for what you should expect. They’ll educate you on the process of EMDR, including some of the emotions you may experience during the sessions. A qualified EMDR therapist in St. George will ensure you are fully comfortable and equipped to proceed with the process. 

Phase 3: Assessment

During this phase, your therapist will work with you to identify traumatic events that will be tackled during the treatment. You’ll work together to identify triggers, associations you’ve built with your trauma, its impact on your life, and what you hope to accomplish through EMDR treatment.

Phase 4: Desensitization and Reprocessing

During phase four, you’ll utilize dual attention bilateral stimulation (BLS) as you recall specific images, feelings, thoughts, and other sensations connected to your traumatic experiences. During this phase, your EMDR therapist in St. George will help you take note of how those memories make you feel, and explore any new realizations or sensations that occur.

Phase 5: Installation 

Following desensitization, the installation phase begins. Your therapist will help establish a positive focus to replace the traumatic association with the memory. This helps your brain replace the trauma responses it associates with the triggers you’ve previously discussed. 

Phase 6: Body Scan

Traumatic responses aren’t simply emotion, but often tied to our body’s physical chemistry. In this phase, you’ll work to identify the physical discomfort associated with the traumatic experience, and assess your overall progress throughout the process over time. As sessions continue these physical responses should dissipate when completed effectively.

Phase 7: Closure and Stabilization

Each EMDR session in St. George ends with a closure and stabilization period. Your therapist will help you return to a calm state of mind. They’ll equip you with strategies to tackle and manage negative thoughts that may occur between sessions so that you can maintain progress throughout the entire EMDR journey.

Phase 8: Reevaluation and Care

In the final phase of each session, you’ll work with your therapist to assess your ongoing progress. Everyone heals differently, so your provider will give the care and attention necessary to ensure you personally feel validated and that genuine improvements have been made.

Who Should Use EMDR Therapy in St. George?

While EMDR therapy is effective, it is only used in specific cases. The most common usage of EMDR therapy is in treatment for PTSD from any source. Individuals who have experienced childhood abuse, veterans, domestic abuse survivors, and many others can benefit from this method.

In select cases, EMDR may be used to treat certain anxiety disorders, especially those that are tied to specific triggers, as EMDR focuses on targeting specific memories and senses.

EMDR therapy has helped individuals throughout the world confront traumatic memories, teach their brains proper healing techniques, and improve their day-to-day outcomes. If you believe EMDR may be an optimal treatment for you in St. George, Utah, reach out to the team at Elevated Wellness and Counseling. With EMDR trained therapists on staff, we’re ready to help you build towards healing.