EMDR therapy is at the forefront of PTSD research and treatment. This approach to therapy — which engages the brain using visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation — helps clients to reprocess traumatic memories and release the emotional burden they’ve carried with them for so long. However, this form of treatment is not offered by all therapists. Because it has not reached the mainstream, clients have many questions about the effectiveness of this therapy option.
If you suffer from PTSD, anxiety, depression, a panic disorder, or a phobia, EMDR therapy may be effective for you Below are just four of the reasons why you should talk to your therapist about EMDR for trauma-related mental health issues:
EMDR is widely effective for trauma-related disorders.
Over 30 independent studies have been done on EMDR therapy in recent years. Combined, these studies show a nearly 80% success rate for treating PTSD symptoms for isolated traumatic incidents. This shows that EMDR can be as effective, and in some cases even more effective, than the most common forms of modern therapies.
EMDR can help treat complex PTSD.
Complex PTSD (or CPTSD) is caused by prolonged periods of trauma, seen in circumstances such as domestic violence and child abuse. This condition differs from PTSD caused by a single traumatic event, and can cause much more complex and hindering effects on the client. However, EMDR has been proven to help alleviate CPTSD symptoms despite its complexity and oftentimes deep roots in a client’s worldview.
It takes effect much faster than traditional forms of therapy.
Clients who have sat for traditional talk therapy or CBT sessions typically expect to invest plenty of time in overcoming their issues. However, one of the goals of EMDR is to expel negative thoughts and feelings in only a handful of sessions. In studies of treating isolated traumas with EMDR, almost 90% of clients experienced no symptoms in as little as three sessions. Even for those with CPTSD, positive effects were felt after 12 sessions or fewer.
EMDR provides lasting relief.
Many clients in traditional therapy sessions have issues with resolving their symptoms or negative thoughts completely, even after years of therapy. While most forms of therapy can help an individual out of dark places, oftentimes it only reduces the pain rather than alleviating it entirely. However, clients report that EMDR can get rid of PTSD symptoms completely in some circumstances. While results vary from person to person, it is possible to experience near-complete relief from symptoms of anxiety, flashbacks, anger, and other negative emotions associated with your trauma.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense are quickly adopting EMDR for PTSD treatment of veterans. However, it can be effective for those suffering from PTSD of all kinds and from all circumstances. If you are interested in learning more about EMDR options near you, contact the Reboot offices today.