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EMDR Consultation

We offer telehealth EMDR Consultation services.

Overcoming Trauma

Caring wife comforting her stressed husband at psychological session

Life can be challenging. When traumatic events occur, the memory can be “frozen” in the brain. Unable to discern time, the brain mistakenly decides that it is always in danger from past traumatic event(s). As a result, we can become stuck in flight, fight, or freeze stress responses. This may lead to nightmares, anxiety, feeling “jumpy,” hypervigilance, ruminating thoughts about the event(s), lack of trust in relationships, muscle aches, headaches, stomachaches, or depressed mood. The traumatic memories can also cause us to internalize false beliefs about ourselves, such as “It was my fault” or “No one will love me.”

The types of traumatic events that cause these lasting symptoms can vary in severity. Natural disasters, house fires, serious car accidents, sexual assault, child abuse, and life-threatening events can cause memory to be frozen in the brain resulting in unpleasant symptoms. More discreetly, circumstances that are less severe can create these symptoms too. A humiliating event, the loss of a valued relationship, being bullied in childhood, perceived rejection from parents, and many other circumstances can cause traumatic stress responses and lead to internalized false beliefs.

Caring wife comforting her stressed husband at psychological session

Life can be challenging. When traumatic events occur, the memory can be “frozen” in the brain. Unable to discern time, the brain mistakenly decides that it is always in danger from past traumatic event(s). As a result, we can become stuck in flight, fight, or freeze stress responses. This may lead to nightmares, anxiety, feeling “jumpy,” hypervigilance, ruminating thoughts about the event(s), lack of trust in relationships, muscle aches, headaches, stomachaches, or depressed mood. The traumatic memories can also cause us to internalize false beliefs about ourselves, such as “It was my fault” or “No one will love me.”

The types of traumatic events that cause these lasting symptoms can vary in severity. Natural disasters, house fires, serious car accidents, sexual assault, child abuse, and life-threatening events can cause memory to be frozen in the brain resulting in unpleasant symptoms. More discreetly, circumstances that are less severe can create these symptoms too. A humiliating event, the loss of a valued relationship, being bullied in childhood, perceived rejection from parents, and many other circumstances can cause traumatic stress responses and lead to internalized false beliefs.

FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, or EMDR as it is often called, is an evidence-based treatment for a variety of symptoms related to trauma, anxiety, panic disorders, and depression. EMDR was originally developed to heal the effects of trauma, but now has been used as a treatment for other symptoms. This treatment method has been researched extensively and found to be extremely effective for symptoms of trauma and other disorders.

EMDR uses the brain’s mechanisms for processing and holding memory to “digest” and make meaning of even the most traumatic memories. After these memories are processed with EMDR, symptoms decrease or disappear as the brain begins to realize that circumstances are safe. The traumatic memory remains, but the emotional impact diminishes, and ultimately, it doesn’t hurt as much to remember.

Only therapists who have gone through extensive training can incorporate EMDR into their counseling. At Arizona Family Counseling, our EMDR therapists have been properly trained and receive ongoing consultation to provide the best possible care.

What is EMDR Used For?

EMDR can be used to successfully treat many issues.

  • Trauma (including one-time events and ongoing abuse or neglect)
  • Developmental early childhood trauma (including attachment injury)
  • Anxiety 
  • Panic attacks
  • Depression
  • Grief and loss
  • A variety of other challenges
The Process of EMDR

Clients have expressed that they appreciate the gentle approach that EMDR provides. Like all therapies, EMDR can create moments of upset feelings and distress as clients and therapists work through traumatic events. However, this therapy often brings about relief faster than other forms of trauma therapy while addressing the wide variety of symptoms that clients may have.

EMDR does not require discussion of each traumatic detail, and it allows healing to occur naturally and at the client’s pace. Therapists use eye movement or other bilateral alternating movements to help the client’s brain process traumatic memories or negative beliefs. Through the eight-phase treatment process, clients develop a feeling of safety, identify sources of support, process uncomfortable memories, and then create new positive messages to internalize.

EMDR for Children

EMDR can create healing for children who have had challenging life experiences. We find that children, in particular, benefit from the gentle approach to trauma therapy that EMDR provides. Therapists at Arizona Family Counseling have had specific training to incorporate play and expressive therapy interventions into EMDR. This method allows children to heal in a developmentally appropriate way with play while harnessing EMDR’s natural healing qualities. What looks like simple play or coloring may actually be very advanced therapeutic processes at work!

Arizona Family Counseling EMDR therapists use the Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska’s Integrative Team Treatment model to treat attachment trauma with EMDR and family therapy interventions. Parents become important elements of therapy, providing support to their children as they progress through EMDR treatment.

EMDR and Telehealth

Arizona Family Counseling can provide EMDR in person in the traditional therapeutic office setting* or via video conferencing telehealth. Therapists use effective methods of eye movement or other bilateral alternating movements that can be accomplished over video calls. Clients can build safety and process traumatic memories in the comfort of their own homes.

Introduction to EMDR Therapy

For more information, please watch EMDRIA’s video on how EMDR works.

If you would like more information on how EMDR can help you decrease symptoms and move past traumatic events please contact Arizona Family Counseling at 877 847-6104.

Introduction to EMDR Therapy

For more information, please watch EMDRIA’s video on how EMDR works.

If you would like more information on how EMDR can help you decrease symptoms and move past traumatic events please contact Arizona Family Counseling at 877 847-6104.

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