EMDR Therapy in Frisco, TX
It does not have to involve retelling your story over and over. As a matter of fact, with EMDR therapy, very few details are needed. EMDR treatment does not focus on the event but on your takeaway from the event.
EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a less distressing way of treating trauma. Supported by substantial research, it is known as an effective form of treatment for PTSD and trauma. EMDR is promoted by numerous organizations, including The World Health Organization, The United States Department of Defense, and The United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Emma* knows the exact day her childhood came to a terrifying end. She was 7 years old, and as usual, her parents had been fighting, but this day was different. This was the day her dad walked out of the house for the last time. He didn’t even pause to tell her goodbye. She still remembers her mom’s drunken rage that day and how scared and alone she felt. After her mom finally passed out, Emma tiptoed to the kitchen to find something to eat. This soon became their new pattern – Emma took care of herself, while her mother nursed her growing addiction.
Today, Emma is a wife and mom of two little girls. Long ago she vowed to be the perfect mother. But to be perfect, you have to do everything the right way, Emma’s way. If her husband loads the dishwasher, she rearranges it. If he offers to get the kids dressed, she objects. Her husband wonders why he tries anymore, because he never gets it right.
Emma learned from her childhood abandonment that it’s safer to be in control. Currently, that belief is causing strain on her marriage, but in time, it will also lead to conflict with her daughters.
*Neither the name nor the story represents an actual person.
How EMDR Can Help
With EMDR therapy, very little attention is given to the actual traumatic event. Rather, we identify and process the takeaway from the event. For example, if you were robbed, we would spend little time on the memory of being robbed. Instead, we would identify the takeaway – I’m not safe – and work through that.
Who Can Benefit From EMDR?
Originally, EMDR was used in the treatment of trauma, PTSD, and abuse. We now know that it can effectively address many other issues, such as:
- Childhood trauma and neglect
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse/rape
- Emotional abuse
- Verbal abuse
- Healing emotionally from an abortion
- Medical trauma
- Grief and loss
- Performance anxiety
- Relationship concerns
- Marital conflict
- Phobias
- And more
