4 Main Ways EMDR Treatment Works Against Your Anxiety
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR for short) is a popular psychotherapy approach to treat anxiety disorders. EMDR treatment involves eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to activate the brain’s natural healing processes. The goal of EMDR therapy is to help individuals process past traumatic experiences that may be causing their anxiety symptoms. Here are four main ways EMDR treatment works against your anxiety:
Reprocessing Traumatic Memories
One of the primary ways EMDR works against anxiety is by reprocessing traumatic memories that may contribute to an individual’s symptoms. Traumatic experiences can create negative beliefs about oneself, others, and the world, leading to anxiety, depression, and other emotional disturbances. EMDR treatment helps individuals process these memories by activating the brain’s natural healing processes.
During a session, the therapist guides the individual through eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while focusing on the traumatic memory. This process can help desensitize the individual to the memory, reduce the intensity of negative emotions, and reprocess the memory more adaptively.
Changing Negative Beliefs
Anxiety disorders are often associated with negative beliefs about oneself, others, and the world. These mindsets can be deeply ingrained and may be contributing to an individuals anxiety symptoms. EMDR treatment can help individuals identify and change negative beliefs contributing to their anxiety.
During a session, the therapist may ask the individual to focus on a negative belief while engaging in eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. This process can help the individual to reprocess the belief more adaptively, leading to a reduction in anxiety symptoms.
Building Resilience
EMDR therapy can also help individuals to build resilience in the face of future stressors. Through reprocessing traumatic memories and changing negative beliefs, individuals can develop a more positive outlook on life and a greater sense of self-efficacy. This increased resilience can help individuals to cope more effectively with future stressors, reducing the likelihood of experiencing anxiety symptoms.
Enhancing Emotional Regulation
Anxiety disorders are often associated with difficulties in emotional regulation. Individuals may have a hard time managing their emotions, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, and other emotional disturbances. EMDR treatment can help individuals to enhance their emotional regulation skills by increasing their ability to tolerate negative emotions and engage in adaptive coping strategies.
During sessions, the therapist may guide the individual through eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while focusing on a particular emotion, such as anxiety or anger. This process can help the individual desensitize to the emotion, reduce its intensity, and develop more adaptive coping methods.
In Closing
EMDR therapy can be an effective approach for anxiety disorders. By reprocessing traumatic memories, changing negative beliefs, building resilience, and enhancing emotional regulation, individuals can experience reduced anxiety symptoms and improved overall mental health. If you are struggling with anxiety, it may be worth considering this approach as a treatment option. Consult a licensed mental health professional to determine if EMDR treatment suits you.
Treat Anxiety and Other Mental Health Concerns at South Denver Therapy
We welcome new online and in-person clients at our Castle Rock location. Our services include Couples Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Individual Counseling, and Couples Intensives. Our team specializes in Infidelity, EMDR Therapy, Anxiety, and Depression, as well as Premarital Counseling. Visit our home page and click “Book a Free Consultation”
