A MISSION FOR MICHAEL
Overcome trauma and reclaim your life with EMDR therapy.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a highly effective treatment for healing from trauma and stress. At its core, EMDR is about helping your mind heal from psychological wounds, similar to how your body naturally heals from physical ones.
EMDR sessions involve working through traumatic or triggering memories in a safe and controlled manner, using eye movements guided by a therapist. While scientists aren’t quite sure what makes EMDR so effective, these eye movements are believed to work by mimicking the period of sleep associated with processing daily experiences and emotions. It’s a therapy designed for anyone who feels stuck in the aftermath of trauma, allowing them to let go and move forward.
Although relatively new in the mental health world, EMDR has quickly gained a solid foundation of research and clinical evidence. It’s become a gold-standard treatment for trauma and stress-related disorders.
Studies have consistently shown that EMDR can successfully reduce the symptoms of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), anxiety, and depression that often go along with traumatic experiences. As a result of its unique approach, it allows individuals to form new, healthier associations with distressing memories. Because EMDR provides rapid and lasting relief from traumatic symptoms, it has gained widespread endorsement by mental health professionals and organizations worldwide.
At AMFM, we use EMDR when appropriate because of its proven ability to help clients recover more swiftly and successfully, helping them overcome the scars of their past and create a brighter future.
EMDR therapy consists of eight phases. The first phase is history taking, where you and your therapist explore your past traumas and figure out which specific memories to target. Following this, you’ll move into preparation, where your therapist will explain the process in detail and help you learn stress-reduction techniques to use during and between sessions. Traumatic memories can trigger alarming symptoms, so these techniques are important to help you calm down.
The core of EMDR therapy involves assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation. During the desensitization phase, you’ll focus on the distressing memory while engaging in “bilateral stimulation”—typically moving your eyes back and forth—guided by your therapist. It’s supposed to help your brain reprocess the memory in a way that lessens its emotional impact. The installation phase establishes positive beliefs to replace the trauma’s negative connotations. A body scan ensures the negative energy is fully resolved, leading to closure. Finally, reevaluation checks your progress and makes sure the distressing memory has been dealt with.
The key to EMDR therapy is bilateral stimulation, usually through guided eye movements. This activity is thought to imitate your brain’s natural processing during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Aside from eye movements, though, therapists might use other forms of bilateral stimulation, such as noises or physical touch.
When it comes to trauma and stress, EMDR therapy offers a lot of benefits, including:
EMDR offers quick relief from PTSD symptoms, often faster than traditional therapies.
Participants usually enjoy a marked drop in anxiety levels.
The therapy is helpful in lifting mood, increasing overall happiness.
EMDR helps people develop a higher level of emotional balance and resilience.
The process lowers stress, making daily life more manageable.
Many find that EMDR therapy boosts their sense of self-esteem and self-worth.
Improved quality of sleep is a common benefit, as EMDR helps calm the mind.
EMDR directly addresses and heals the wounds of past trauma.
As people become more emotionally balanced, relationships often improve.
These benefits add up to EMDR therapy’s life-changing impact, not just for recovery, but for a more fulfilling life, too.
AMFM is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
In your first EMDR session, you can expect a thorough and compassionate laying of groundwork. Your therapist will explore your history and current state to find out if you’re ready for EMDR. Then, they’ll make sure you’re comfortable and informed about the process. You’ll learn about the eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation and how they play a role in therapy, and your therapist will explain what to expect and how to handle any emotions that might come up during the sessions.
EMDR sessions combine structured techniques with personal exploration. As you focus on a specific traumatic memory or issue, your therapist will guide you through bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements. This procedure might make you feel a wide range of physical sensations, from relief to discomfort, as your mind works to reprocess and desensitize the distressing memories. It’s normal to feel a mix of tiredness and relief afterward – there’s some intense mental and emotional work being done! Your therapist will be with you the whole time, though, making sure you feel supported and safe.
Your mind will continue to work through the experience after EMDR therapy is over. During the days and weeks after therapy, you’ll probably go through a spectrum of emotions. Many people report feeling less emotionally burdened by past traumas, leaving them feeling more liberated and balanced. The longer-term benefits of EMDR can include better relationships, increased self-esteem, and a happier outlook on life.
Meet Our Team: Introducing the trained EMDR therapists at AMFM, emphasizing their qualifications, empathy, and commitment to client care.
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
At AMFM, EMDR therapy is intentionally chosen so that it can have the biggest impact. People with PTSD, anxiety disorders, and other trauma-related challenges are good candidates for EMDR, to help them process distressing memories.
However, EMDR might not be the best fit for everyone right away. Some people may find self-soothing techniques challenging to master, and self-soothing is an essential skill for the EMDR treatment process. Whenever this happens, our therapists work to develop these foundational skills first, so each client is fully supported and prepared for EMDR.
Each therapist takes the time to understand each client’s needs and background before recommending EMDR therapy. A personalized assessment looks at the whole person – their history, their current state, and their goals for therapy. We tailor treatment to fit the individual’s unique healing path, making sure we EMDR only when it’s most beneficial.
EMDR at AMFM is only one part of a larger, integrated treatment approach. It might be used as a complement to other therapeutic methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and group sessions. That way, EMDR can be woven into a client’s care in a supportive, effective way. The ultimate goal is creating a holistic treatment plan that’s specific to each client’s journey toward total wellness – mind, body, and spirit.
At AMFM, we use EMDR therapy as part of highly effective, highly individualized holistic care plans. Our therapists will guide you through every step, combining EMDR with a range of supportive methods to create a path to recovery that will work for you.
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