What to expect from EMDR therapy in Houston
Starting EMDR therapy in Houston may feel intimidating
It's completely understandable to feel uncertain or even hesitant when considering therapy, especially when it involves a method as unique as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). What is EMDR anyway? Is it like hypnosis? Is it safe? Does EMDR work? As someone who is both a Houston EMDR therapist and someone who has undergone EMDR treatment myself, I can say I wholeheartedly believe in the healing power of this type of therapeutic technique.
The prospect of delving into past traumas or distressing memories can bring up a mix of emotions, ranging from curiosity to apprehension. Many people wonder if therapy is the right path for them or if they're ready to confront deeply-rooted issues. It's important to recognize that these feelings are normal and valid. Therapy, including EMDR, is a deeply personal journey, and it's okay to have questions or reservations along the way. I’m a therapist and I still get nervous about going to therapy. I also know, however, that we have warm and caring therapists at Wilson Counseling who will walk you through this process.
Embarking on the journey of therapy, particularly Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with Wilson Counseling, can bring a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. So, let's demystify what you can expect from EMDR therapy sessions with us. First and foremost, know that your comfort and well-being are our top priorities. As you step into our space, you'll be met with warmth, empathy, and a safe environment to explore your emotions and experiences. EMDR therapy is a collaborative process, and our team is here to guide you every step of the way. If your past trauma is affecting you in the present and you want to heal from it, this might be a path forward.
How does EMDR work?
During your EMDR sessions, you'll work closely with a trained therapist who will help you navigate the process with compassion and expertise. The journey typically begins with an initial assessment, where you'll have the opportunity to discuss your goals, concerns, and any questions you may have about EMDR therapy. Together, you and your therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs and objectives. Throughout the sessions, you'll be encouraged to actively participate in your healing journey, sharing your thoughts, feelings, and reactions as they arise.
One of the unique aspects of EMDR therapy is the use of bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues, to facilitate the processing of distressing memories or traumatic experiences. These techniques help to unlock and reprocess stuck or unresolved emotions, allowing you to gain new insights and perspectives. While the process may evoke strong emotions at times, rest assured that your therapist will provide a supportive presence and guide you through any challenges that arise. Ultimately, EMDR therapy at Wilson Counseling offers a path toward healing, empowerment, and resilience, as you reclaim control over your life and embrace a brighter future.
How effective is EMDR treatment in Houston?
At Wilson Counseling, we're committed to providing you with the most effective and evidence-based therapies, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is no exception. Studies have shown that EMDR therapy can be highly effective in treating trauma, with research indicating that up to 90% of individuals experiencing single-trauma PTSD no longer meet the criteria for PTSD after just three 90-minute sessions. Additionally, EMDR has been found to significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, making it a versatile and powerful tool for healing.
At the heart of EMDR therapy lies the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, a theoretical framework that helps explain how traumatic memories are stored and processed in the brain. According to this model, traumatic experiences can become "stuck" in the brain's neural networks, leading to ongoing distress and dysfunction. Through bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, EMDR therapy aims to facilitate the reprocessing of these memories, allowing individuals to integrate them into their broader memory networks in a more adaptive and less distressing way. It is very effective for things like PTSD.
In essence, EMDR therapy offers a targeted and efficient approach to addressing mental health concerns by directly addressing the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of trauma and distress. By harnessing the brain's natural capacity for healing and adaptation, EMDR empowers individuals to overcome the lingering effects of past trauma and reclaim control over their lives. At Wilson Counseling, our team of trained therapists is dedicated to guiding you through the EMDR process with expertise and compassion, ensuring that you receive the highest quality care and support on your journey to healing and recovery.
Some people wonder if EMDR online works as well as in person. We wrote a blog post entitled “Does doing EMDR therapy online really work as well as in person?” that can answer that question.
What are the stages of EMDR?
The EMDR process unfolds in several distinct stages, each made to guide you in a structured and supportive way. It begins with an initial assessment, during which the therapist works closely with you to understand your history, identify specific traumas or distressing memories, and collaboratively establish treatment goals. This stage lays the foundation for the rest of the EMDR process, ensuring that the therapy is tailored to your unique needs and objectives.
Once the treatment plan is established, the therapist will guide you through a series of EMDR sessions, typically beginning with preparation and stabilization techniques to ensure you feel safe and grounded. From there, the focus shifts to identifying and processing target memories or experiences using bilateral stimulation. This may involve recalling the traumatic memory while simultaneously engaging in eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues, allowing the brain to reprocess the memory more adaptively. It sounds complicated until you try it.
Throughout the EMDR process, the therapist plays a crucial role in providing guidance, support, and encouragement. They create a safe and nurturing environment where you feel empowered to explore your emotions and experiences without judgment. The therapist also helps you navigate any challenges or intense emotions that may arise during the reprocessing phase, ensuring that you feel supported and validated every step of the way. So, you don’t have to worry about emotions being out of control. Your therapist will teach you skills to deal with strong feelings and put away things that feel overwhelming.
Importantly, EMDR therapy is a collaborative endeavor, with clients playing an active role in their healing journey. You are encouraged to communicate openly with your therapist, sharing your thoughts, feelings, and reactions as they arise. Together, the therapist and client work as a team to identify and address obstacles to healing, celebrate progress, and integrate insights gained from the EMDR process into their daily lives. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of empowerment and ownership over the healing process, ultimately leading to greater resilience, self-awareness, and well-being. It feels to be able to manage emotions and memories after they have had so much control over you for so long.
Here is a bulleted list of the stages of EMDR. I wanted to include it this way so as well that it is easy to skim and see what you can expect,
Initial Assessment and Treatment Planning:
Collaborative discussion between therapist and client to understand history, identify traumas, and establish treatment goals.
Tailoring the therapy to the individual's unique needs and objectives.
Preparation and Stabilization:
Implementation of grounding techniques to ensure the client feels safe and supported.
Setting the stage for the reprocessing of distressing memories or experiences.
Reprocessing Phase:
Identification and processing of target memories using bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, auditory cues).
Encouragement of emotional exploration and adaptive resolution of memories.
Guidance and Support from the Therapist:
Provision of guidance, support, and validation throughout the process.
Creation of a safe and nurturing environment for emotional expression and processing.
Collaborative Approach:
Active participation of the client in the healing journey, sharing thoughts, feelings, and reactions.
Teamwork between therapist and client to address obstacles, celebrate progress and integrate insights into daily life.
This structured approach ensures that individuals undergoing EMDR therapy at Wilson Counseling receive comprehensive and personalized care, guiding them toward healing and resilience.
What happens during an EMDR session?
During an EMDR session at Wilson Counseling, you can expect to engage in unique techniques designed to facilitate the processing of distressing memories and experiences. Central to EMDR therapy is bilateral stimulation, which involves stimulating both sides of the brain through techniques such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues. These bilateral stimuli serve to mimic the natural process of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, where the brain consolidates memories and processes emotions. By engaging in bilateral stimulation during EMDR sessions, individuals can access and reprocess traumatic memories in a more adaptive and less distressing way.
It's important to note that EMDR sessions are conducted in a controlled and safe environment, with therapists at Wilson Counseling prioritizing your comfort and well-being throughout the process. Before beginning EMDR therapy, your therapist will ensure that you feel grounded and supported, providing you with tools and techniques to manage any distress that may arise during the session. Additionally, therapists are trained to monitor your emotional state closely and adjust the pacing of the session as needed to ensure that you feel safe and supported at all times.
It's common for individuals to have questions or concerns about the intensity of EMDR sessions and how emotions may surface during the process. Rest assured that experiencing strong emotions during EMDR therapy is a normal part of the healing process. Your therapist will guide you through these emotions with empathy and understanding, helping you navigate any challenges that may arise. Remember, you are in control of the process, and your therapist will work collaboratively with you to ensure that you feel empowered and supported every step of the way. EMDR therapy at Wilson Counseling offers a safe and effective path toward healing, allowing you to reclaim control over your life.
Does EMDR therapy in Houston work?
EMDR therapy at Wilson Counseling offers a wealth of potential benefits, each contributing to a holistic approach to mental health and well-being. One of the primary advantages of EMDR is its effectiveness in providing symptom relief for a wide range of mental health concerns, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and phobias. By targeting the root causes of these symptoms through the reprocessing of distressing memories, EMDR can lead to significant reductions in psychological distress and an overall improvement in quality of life.
In addition to symptom relief, EMDR therapy has been shown to enhance emotional regulation skills, allowing individuals to better manage and cope with difficult emotions. Through the processing of traumatic memories, clients often experience a greater sense of empowerment and control over their emotions and reactions. This newfound sense of mastery can have profound ripple effects, leading to improved relationships, increased self-esteem, and a greater ability to navigate life's challenges with resilience and grace.
I remember one client who felt very triggered every time she would go into her kitchen. She had been very anxious and depressed at an earlier point in her life and she started having a compulsive urge to end her life by suicide using a kitchen knife to slit her wrists. Often when she would see the knife, she would feel a sense of panic as if she was not safe. She could not very well avoid her kitchen or get rid of all of the knives in her kitchen.
We did a few EMDR sessions to process the trauma of feeling suicidal and created a new scenario that she could imagine where she was calm and comfortable in her kitchen. Using EMDR in this way allowed her to feel a sense of distance from the previous suicidal ideations so that it did not cause her to panic. Creating a new image in her mind of feeling calm in the kitchen replaced the old incident and EMDR helped cement that scenario in her head and her body.
How long does EMDR take to work?
For some clients, I have seen them experience relief and healing in as little as one session. For others, especially those with complex trauma, or more than one trauma from their past, it may take longer. It’s important to be patient as healing unfolds. Still, in my experience, EMDR is a more brief type of therapy than traditional talk therapy, so you will hopefully experience relief much sooner and in a fewer number of sessions.
OTHER THERAPY SERVICES WE OFFER IN HOUSTON, TX
In addition to EMDR Therapy, Trauma Therapy, and PTSD Treatment, we have other mental health services that we offer at our Houston, TX counseling office. Our services are available for adults, children, and teens. For individuals, we offer Anxiety Treatment, Couples and Marriage Therapy, Eating Disorder Therapy, School and College Counseling, and Infertility Counseling. As well LGBTQ+ Counseling. Our caring therapists also offer Family Therapy, Career Counseling, and LPC Supervision. All of these services are also available through Online Counseling throughout Texas.
If you are wondering if EMDR is for you, but you are not sure, we offer a free 15-minute phone consultation with one of our Texas therapists. Call today at 713-565-0922 to schedule!