Metro Atlanta EMDR Therapy

For individuals struggling with certain mental health conditions, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, or EMDR, can be a highly effective treatment and may even accelerate the healing and recovery process for some patients. Exploring all treatment options is an important part of achieving long-term well-being and positive outcomes, and at CNSL, we are proud to be a leader in offering EMDR therapy. To learn more about EMDR and whether it may be an appropriate treatment option for you, reach out to our professionals by phone or online today.

What Is EMDR Therapy? 

EMDR therapy is a mental health treatment that helps individuals process traumatic or unresolved memories through a combination of psychotherapy and bilateral stimulation (stimulation on both sides of the body), usually in the form of guided eye movements. A therapy provider will help a patient target and process traumatic memories while simultaneously guiding the patient in focusing on an external stimulus. The most common external stimulus is therapist-directed lateral eye movements, but other stimuli may be used, such as audio tones or light taps.

Evidence suggests that EMDR targets the brain’s information processing system in much the same way rapid eye movement (REM) works during sleep, helping patients identify and process traumatic memories or experiences in a way that promotes healing.

Who May Benefit from EMDR Therapy? 

EMDR is used to treat patients who have undergone traumatic events or are coping with traumatic memories, as well as mental health conditions that may be the result of those traumatic experiences. EMDR therapy is especially effective for treating veterans who are living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also used to treat conditions such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Dissociative disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorders
• Personality disorders
• Trauma disorders 

Phases of EMDR Therapy

The administration of EMDR is typically broken down into several phases. It is important that patients understand EMDR therapy and that a therapist has a patient’s full history before therapy is performed. Typically, EMDR therapy will be administered over three to 12 sessions of 60-90 minutes, depending on the complexity and severity of the trauma being addressed. The phases of EMDR include:

• Patient history and education. The therapist will work with the patient to understand their history and determine their goals for therapy while also explaining what to expect during EMDR therapy.
• Assessment. The patient works with the therapist to identify themes and specific memories they want to work on during reprocessing.
• Desensitization and reprocessing. The healthcare provider will ask the patient to focus on one or more specific negative memories while bilateral stimulation occurs. The healthcare provider also helps the patient to focus on positive beliefs and feelings that they want to install.
• Body scan. A body scan is an opportunity for the patient to focus on what is happening in their body as they go through therapy. As therapy progresses, physical symptoms should decrease and become more manageable.
• Closure and stabilization. Patients focus on developing ways to manage their emotions and feelings outside of their therapist’s office.
• Monitoring and ongoing care. Following EMDR therapy, a therapist will assess the patient and determine what ongoing care may be needed and what therapy moving forward may look like.

Work With a Therapist from CNSL to Learn More  

CNSL is committed to providing our patients with the most effective treatment options available, including EMDR therapy when appropriate. We are honored to be a leader in providing this innovative therapy.

To learn more about EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy and how working with the professionals at CNSL may help, reach out to our team directly by phone or online today. We are here to provide you with the support and guidance you need.