EMDR Therapy Blog Series – What is EMDR Therapy and how can it help me?

In preparation for our EMDR therapy Austin launch at Seeds of Change Counseling, we start a series today exploring EMDR Therapy.  Today we will explore the basics and answer the questions “what is EMDR Therapy?” and “how can it help me?”
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EMDR Therapy – what does this alphabet soup even mean?

EMDR Therapy stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy.  It was developed by Francine Shapiro, PhD in 1987.  Although the words “eye movements” are front and center in the name, Dr. Shapiro is quoted as saying that if she had to name EMDR Therapy all over again that she would simply name it “reprocessing therapy” as there is much more involved in EMDR Therapy than eye movements.  EMDR Therapy works to stimulate the information locked in the brain and allows the brain to reprocess the experience. 

How can EMDR Therapy help me?

EMDR Therapy is an extensively researched psychotherapy method that has been found to effective and is proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.

The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) states that EMDR Therapy is recognized as an effective treatment by the American Psychiatric Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs/Dept. of Defense, The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the World Health Organization among many other national and international organizations.
EMDR Therapy is unique in that it does not require talking in detail about a distressing issues or completing homework between sessions to be effective.  Instead of focusing on changing thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, EMDR Therapy harnesses the natural healing ability of the brain.

For more introductory information, check out this video from the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).
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Join us next week as we continue to explore EMDR Therapy and how it can help you!

How can I get EMDR Therapy?

We are excited to begin offering EMDR Therapy Austin this month (September 2020) at Seeds of Change Counseling.  The pandemic will not stand in your way to your path of healing, we will offer remote EMDR Therapy sessions to all residents in the State of Texas. 

Call us now to schedule an appointment at 512-676-5813.  Don’t struggle alone spinning your wheels, we are here to guide you on your path to healing.