You know something is bothering you. Life has been hard, so you’re not exactly sure what that thing might be. You’ve experienced trauma and feel stuck in a loop, reliving what happened over and over again. You become easily angered or emotional. Sometimes you’re not sure why.
When something upsetting or traumatic happens to you, it can get stuck in your brain. This can make it very hard to move forward in your life. Over time, these distressing thoughts can cause you to feel very poorly about yourself. Therefore, it can very hard for you to function. For example, someone might experience verbal abuse or extreme criticism during their childhood. As an adult, the slightest criticism could cause them to fly off into a rage. Or, cause them to break down.
EMDR therapy allows you to become “unstuck”. It allows you to truly access your “stuck point”. That is the thing or memory keeping you from peace and happiness. EMDR therapy will help you respond in a less emotional or aggressive way when triggered by a memory of past pain. This will help you cope with the trauma you’ve experienced so healing can truly begin.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. We realize this is a seemingly complicated term, so let us explain. The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) explains that “Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method. It is proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences. Some of these include PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.”
During an EMDR therapy session, we will use eye movements, tappers, and auditory stimulation to help you access your “stuck point”. A stuck point is unique to every individual. But, it can include things like a traumatic memory, or a time when you felt profoundly out of control. It can also include feelings of helplessness, despair, and traumatic thoughts that do not go away. The use of simulation allows both sides of the brain to be stimulated. This way, both sides work together to unlock the part of your brain that is holding on to the pain. It is not a magic wand, so it does not make the memory go away altogether. But, it can help reduce the extreme emotional response you have to the memory.
The goal of EMDR therapy is to help you process the memory and the pain. This way, true healing can be done. Typically, EMDR therapy is a short-term therapeutic intervention. It is designed to be used along with other forms of psychotherapy.
Who Benefits from EMDR Therapy in California
Almost anyone who feels stuck and unable to make true progress in their therapeutic journey can benefit from EMDR. However, EMDR is especially effective in helping children, teens, and adults experiencing the following concerns:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Survivors of abuse and neglect
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and OCD
- Depression
- Physical pain
- Grief and loss
- Dissociative disorders
What you can Expect From EMDR Therapy in California
EMDR is a short-term form of psychotherapy. It typically only lasts a few sessions and results in quick relief. Prior to receiving EMDR, you will meet with one of our compassionate EMDR therapists. You will get the chance to share your story and discuss the challenges you are experiencing. Then, we will work with you to determine a treatment plan to begin your healing journey at Moxie Family Therapy.
Ultimately, the goal of EMDR therapy is to desensitize your negative beliefs. Or, prevent them from having so much power over you. We can’t take your past memories or the trauma you experienced and make them “better”. However, EMDR therapy can help reduce the effect that triggers have on your thoughts and emotions. You can also read my blog on if EMDR can work for you to find out more. Ultimately, allowing you to maintain these memories but be able to cope with them easier. We often hear things like “I had a flashback, but it didn’t derail my entire day”. Or, “I can think about what happened now without getting so emotional and breaking down.”
Begin EMDR Therapy in California
Whether you are beginning EMDR therapy for PTSD, depression, or any unresolved past trauma, you deserve support and guidance. Let us provide that support along your journey. It’s time begin finding healing through EMDR at our Orange County, CA based family therapy clinic. If you have any more questions, we would love for you to read our FAQ page.
To get started, simply:
- Fill out the form below to schedule a free consultation.
- Meet with one of our EMDR therapists.
- Begin EMDR therapy, start healing from the past.
Other Services Offered at Moxie Family Therapy
At Moxie Family Therapy, we know that you and your family may have a wide range of mental health needs. We want to help your entire family thrive. Therefore, we offer a wide range of psychotherapy services in our Orange County Counseling Clinic or via Online Counseling. Other mental health services Moxie Family Therapy provides include adoption counseling, trauma therapy, counseling for women, counseling for young adults, counseling for college students, couples counseling, counseling for teen girls, counseling for children, play therapy, art therapy, therapy for therapists, and family therapy. Contact our counseling clinic to work on the issues that matter most to you, so you can reclaim your moxie!