The Power of EMDR Therapy: How It Helps Process Trauma & Heal Emotional Wounds
EMDR Therapy: A Breakthrough for Trauma and Mental Health Treatment
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was founded by Francine Shapiro, PhD, in 1987. Originally developed to help individuals process and desensitize traumatic memories, EMDR has since evolved into a widely recognized therapy for a variety of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, grief, pain, and addiction.
In a typical EMDR session, the client focuses on a distressing memory while the therapist uses bilateral stimulation techniques like eye movements with a light bar or vibrating tappers. Early research published in the "Journal of Traumatic Stress" in 1989 found that this dual stimulation helped clients process traumatic memories more effectively.
The Science Behind EMDR:
For years, experts struggled to understand how EMDR therapy worked and why bilateral stimulation was so effective. A critical insight into this process comes from the work of Baddeley and Hitch (1974), who proposed that traumatic memories are first stored in the working memory before being transferred to long-term memory. If this process is disrupted—especially in trauma—the memory may be fragmented and cause emotional or physical distress long after the event.
When trauma is not processed, it often remains unresolved and stored in a fragmented form in both our bodies and minds. This unprocessed trauma can trigger emotional reactions or physical symptoms, sometimes without us even being aware of the trigger. Research has shown that trauma can even be stored in our cells, affecting our overall health. That’s why addressing trauma is so crucial for emotional and physical well-being.
How Does EMDR Help?
EMDR works by engaging the brain’s working memory, allowing the client to process traumatic memories that have been stored in long-term memory. During a session, the therapist encourages the client to focus on the distressing memory while using dual-attention tasks like eye movements or tappers. These tasks overload the working memory, making it difficult for the brain to continue focusing on the emotional charge of the memory. The result is that the emotional intensity of the memory is reduced, and the memory loses its negative impact.
The Emergence of EMDR 2.0:
Since 2020, research in EMDR has continued to progress, leading to the development of EMDR 2.0. This new version utilizes multiple tasks that more effectively overload the working memory, allowing clients to process distressing memories even more efficiently. Optimizing the working memory load to maximize results during EMDR sessions. With EMDR 2.0, fewer sessions are often needed, making this approach more effective in terms of both time and emotional relief for the client.
Why Choose EMDR Therapy at Salty Counseling?
At Salty Counseling, we offer EMDR therapy in conjunction with the to help clients achieve better results. We understand that trauma and emotional distress are unique to each individual, which is why we tailor our approach to suit each client’s needs.
Whether you're dealing with the lingering effects of trauma, anxiety, depression, or other emotional struggles, EMDR therapy can provide relief and help you heal from the past. If you’re interested in learning more about how EMDR can help you, we invite you to schedule a consultation with us today.
Conclusion:
EMDR therapy is an incredibly powerful tool for healing, and it is evolving research, and advancements continue to make it one of the most effective therapies for trauma and other mental health challenges. If you’re ready to take the next step in your healing journey, contact Salty Counseling to schedule your consultation and start your path toward emotional freedom.
Intrigued by the benefits of EMDR therapy? Schedule a consultation today with us and learn how we can help you process trauma and emotional distress with the support of EMDR 2.0.
