Blog Post

What is EMDR Therapy?

We provide EMDR therapy in Fairfax, VA, Reston, VA and Ashburn, VA and are asked a lot about this form of counseling. We wanted to add a blog post for anyone who felt curious about EMDR!

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a form of psychotherapy that has gained widespread popularity in recent years due to its effectiveness in treating a wide range of mental health disorders. It was first developed in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro, who discovered that rapid eye movements could reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts and feelings. Since then, EMDR has become a widely accepted and evidence-based treatment for various mental health conditions. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits and research of EMDR therapy.

EMDR therapy is a structured form of psychotherapy that involves eight phases. The first phase involves the therapist taking a detailed history of the client’s symptoms, traumas, and current life situation. The second phase involves the therapist teaching the client coping skills to deal with any emotional distress that may arise during the treatment. The third phase involves identifying a specific traumatic memory that the client wants to target. The fourth phase involves the therapist guiding the client through a series of eye movements while the client focuses on the traumatic memory. The fifth phase involves the client describing what they experienced during the eye movements. The sixth phase involves the therapist guiding the client through further eye movements until the memory no longer elicits a strong emotional response. The seventh phase involves the therapist teaching the client how to use self-soothing techniques to manage any residual emotional distress. The final phase involves the therapist evaluating the progress made and deciding whether further sessions are necessary.

Research has shown that EMDR therapy is effective in treating a wide range of mental health disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression, and phobias. One study found that EMDR therapy was more effective in reducing PTSD symptoms than cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) after six months of treatment. Another study found that EMDR therapy was as effective as fluoxetine (Prozac) in reducing symptoms of depression. Additionally, EMDR therapy has been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

One of the unique benefits of EMDR therapy is that it can be completed in a relatively short period of time. Unlike traditional psychotherapy, which can take several months or even years, EMDR therapy typically takes between six and twelve sessions. Additionally, EMDR therapy does not require the client to extensively talk about their traumatic experiences, which can be difficult and triggering for some individuals.

Another benefit of EMDR therapy is that it can be used in conjunction with other forms of therapy or medication. For example, some individuals may benefit from taking an antidepressant medication while undergoing EMDR therapy for depression. Additionally, some individuals may benefit from combining EMDR therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or exposure therapy.

In conclusion, EMDR therapy is a highly effective and evidence-based form of psychotherapy that can be used to treat a wide range of mental health disorders. Its unique approach, which involves the use of eye movements to reduce the intensity of traumatic memories, has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, and phobias. If you are struggling with any of these mental health conditions, EMDR therapy may be a useful treatment option to consider.

If you would like to receive EMDR in Fairfax, Reston, or Ashburn, Virginia, don't hestiate to contact us