EMDR Therapy in North Richland Hills, TX
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has recently gained popularity as a highly recommended modality for the treatment of trauma, but it has a long history of development since its inception in 1987 (Shapiro, 2018). While its development began by focusing on treating symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), later research established EMDR’s evidence base in being applied to other concerns as well, such as anxiety, depression, OCD, and other distressing life experiences (Maxfield, 2019).
“The great thing in this world is not so much where we are but in which direction we are moving.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes
While experiencing traumatic situations is unfortunately common across the human experience, natural recovery appears to be the most frequent outcome after experiencing symptoms similar to PTSD in the months following a traumatic experience (International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, n.d.). Like most trauma therapies, EMDR asserts that like your physical body, the mind is geared toward self-healing and recovery. In the way your body can heal with proper care after experiencing a cut or injury, your brain has the potential to heal when provided support, which can result in making meaning out of your bad experiences (International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, n.d.). In this context, EMDR focuses on providing the necessary conditions for your brain to adequately process distressing experiences and fully move past them.
Why do distressing events result in a breakdown of the AIP system?
When psychological trauma occurs, the neurotransmitters cortisol and adrenaline are released, leaving the information acquired at the time of the event stored in a disturbed state (Shapiro, 2018). Without some of the conditions of natural recovery, these memories and associated information are experienced differently than memories; it can actually feel like the situation is happening to you again, over and over again (Perl, Duek, Kulkarni, et al. 2023). When traumatic memories are stored in this kind of state, they can be easily triggered by similar images, thoughts, sounds, feelings, and physical sensations resulting in the symptoms of PTSD. Back to the dog– if you have not processed this memory, it is possible that even a dog appearing on screen may cause similar levels of fear as during the original event, despite you not being in real danger.
How does EMDR help resolve this problem to achieve natural recovery?
EMDR therapy uses “bilateral stimulation” (stimulation that crosses the midline of your brain) to help activate the adaptive information processing system and re-stimulate the brain’s ability to process distressing events. By activating the AIP system, and focusing on the distressing event, EMDR allows the brain to process these distressing events along with all of the highly emotive images, thoughts, sounds, feelings, and physical sensations to resolution, to ultimately decrease the amount of distress you experience in the present. This can help your brain make the healthy connections that help you move forward in healing; for some, this can even include making meaning of the experiences. In the example of experiencing a dog bite, EMDR therapy can help you feel appropriate fear when around dangerous dogs, and little to no fear when seeing a picture of a cuddly dog playing with its owner.
EMDR: Grounded in the Adaptive Information Processing Model
EMDR is grounded in theory focused on the Adaptive Information Processing Model (AIP). The AIP model is a theory focused on explaining how our brain operates to help us understand the world, adapt to new experiences, and guide our behavior. In the same way, your computer does a lot of work behind the scenes whenever you use it, your brain is busy engaging in processes behind the scenes that help you process new information, make meaning of experiences, and store memories for later use to leave you better equipped to handle future similar situations. To use memories most effectively, this model asserts that there are links between memory, thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and images. For example, if you had a distressing experience such as being bitten by a dog, your brain saved the physical sensation of pain you experienced, the feelings of fear while it was occurring, and images of it happening. This allows your brain to respond quickly in future situations to keep yourself safe around dangerous dogs. While this system helps you learn from past events and respond to future ones, distressing events can sometimes get stuck and stored in a highly triggered state.
WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY ABOUT EMDR?
Since its inception, more than 20 controlled randomized studies of EMDR have substantiated its efficacy in use for PTSD; the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, and the World Health Organization have all designated EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD (Shapiro, 2018).
IF I DON’T HAVE PTSD CAN EMDR STILL HELP ME?
Yes! There is diverse research on the efficacy of PTSD to help treat Phobias, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Mood Disorders (Depression), Addictions, Pain Conditions, and Somatic conditions (Scelles, Bulnes, 2021).
LEARN MORE ABOUT EMDR THERAPY IN NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX TODAY!
If you're in North Richland Hills, TX, and looking to understand or seek EMDR therapy, now is the time to explore this powerful treatment method. It might just be the step towards healing and recovery you've been searching for.
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OTHER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AVAILABLE AT LUXX THERAPY
In addition to EMDR Therapy, we offer a wide range of services at Luxx Therapy geared towards meeting you where you are in your mental health journey including Therapy for Anxiety, Therapy for Depression, Trauma Therapy, and Couples Therapy. We will walk the path to understanding and healing with you whether you are in need of Individual Counseling, Couples Counseling, or Family Therapy! Reach out to us today.
References:
Maxfield, L. (2019). A clinician’s guide to the efficacy of EMDR therapy. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research [Editorial], 13(4), 239-246. Open access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.13.4.239
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. (n.d.) Natural Recovery vs. PTSD [Fact sheet].
https://istss.org/ISTSS_Main/media/Documents/Natural-Recovery-FINAL-with-QR-Code-v2.pdf
Perl, O., Duek, O., Kulkarni, K.R. et al. Neural patterns differentiate traumatic from sad autobiographical memories in PTSD. Nat Neurosci 26, 2226–2236 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-023-01483-5
Scelles C, Bulnes LC. EMDR as Treatment Option for Conditions Other Than PTSD: A Systematic Review. Front Psychol. 2021 Sep 20;12:644369. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.644369. PMID: 34616328; PMCID: PMC8488430.
Shapiro, F.(2018).Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (3rd ed.).