Effective trauma treatment from the comfort of your own home
EMDR Therapy, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a widely known and effective treatment modality for people who have experienced trauma. This type of therapy is unique in the sense that it helps reprocess traumatic memories with the use of brain stimulation. When trauma occurs, it can create negative thoughts or beliefs that become stuck in the brain’s processing system.
Commonly eye movements are used to help resolve the thoughts, beliefs, and memories, which hold the trauma in place. Many people hear about the effectiveness of EMDR and their research often yields information about the use of eye movements. This appears to lead to the misconception that EMDR cannot be performed virtually. The good news is that EMDR can be performed virtually and it is equally as effective! The therapist follows the same protocols as they would in in-person sessions.
The eye movements create bilateral stimulation needed to facilitate information processing and symptom reduction. It is believed to help reprocess the trauma, changing the way it is stored in the brain and reducing its emotional intensity. Bilateral stimulation can also be created in other ways such as with tapping the body in a specific way. The use of different types of stimulation is based on the preference of the client and what works best for them.
Virtual EMDR therapy is a convenient option for those who would like to receive treatment from the comfort of their own homes. Virtual EMDR sessions may allow some clients to feel more comfortable and at ease during treatment as they can be in their own familiar environment. Clients do not need to be concerned about being unable to perform eye movements, as there are many other effective ways to stimulate the brain and achieve successful outcomes in EMDR therapy.
EMDR therapy has benefited many people, yet it may not be the ideal approach for everyone. During counselling, you can explore and determine the most suitable trauma therapy for your specific needs with the support of your therapist. Open feedback for your therapist about your progress and preferences can help strengthen the therapeutic relationship and enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.
