Reducing Fear & Anxiety With EMDR Therapy From Peaceful Practices in Medford, NJ
Do you struggle with fear and anxiety associated with distressing memories? You don’t have to live like that. At Peaceful Practices Counseling in Medford, New Jersey, healing is the heart and soul of our mission. If you’re seeking relief from the burdens of trauma, substance abuse, an emotional disorder, or another challenging condition, our dedicated team of mental health professionals is here to help. With the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, we can help you process traumatic memories in a healthier way, restoring a sense of inner peace and illuminating the path to a happier and more hopeful future.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of the symptoms associated with trauma. EMDR incorporates elements from different treatment approaches to repeatedly activate opposite sides of the brain. The core concept involved bilateral stimulation of the brain, which can be achieved through techniques such as horizontal eye movements, tapping, or auditory cues.
How Does EMDR Work?
During an EMDR session, therapists will often use eye movements to facilitate bilateral stimulation. These eye movements mimic the period of sleep referred to as rapid eye movement, or REM sleep, frequently considered to be the time when the mind processes the recent events in the person’s life. EMDR seems to help the brain reprocess the trapped memories in such a way that normal information processing is resumed. Therapists often use EMDR to help clients uncover and process beliefs that developed as the result of relational traumas, namely, childhood abuse and/or neglect. For a more detailed explanation, please visit EMDR Institute, Inc.
What Can EMDR Help With?
EMDR was originally established in the late 1980s as a treatment option for PTSD. The goal of EMDR therapy is to alleviate the distressing symptoms associated with traumatic memories, anxiety, phobias, and other emotional conditions. EMDR has been proven useful in treating the following conditions:
- Panic Attacks
- Complicated Grief
- Dissociative Orders
- Disturbing Memories
- Phobias
- Pain Disorders
- Performance Anxiety
- Addictions
- Sexual and/or Physical Abuse
- Body Dysmorphic Disorders
- Personality Disorders
The effectiveness of EMDR therapy has been supported by a substantial body of research and clinical experience. However, it’s not something that should be attempted on your own. Like any form of psychotherapy, EMDR should only be carried out by a licensed professional that has received specialized training in the approach.
Other Situations Where EMDR Therapy May Help
Do you experience distressing emotions that appear to be excessive given the current situation? Do you tend to be highly reactive to certain triggers? Do you have dysfunctional beliefs about yourself that you know are not true on an intellectual level? If you’ve answered “yes” to any of the above, you may still be a good candidate for EMDR therapy. The best way to determine if this form of treatment can help is to consult a professional.
The Next Steps
EMDR therapy is one of the many services we provide at Peaceful Practices. If you’re interested in learning more about this form of therapy and seeing if you may benefit from EMDR, contact us today for a free phone consultation. We offer virtual appointments or in-person appointments at our practice in Medford, NJ.