Therapy Services in NJ

EMDR Services in New Jersey

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What Is EMDR Therapy?

Electro-Magnetic Resonance Drilling (EMDR) is a technique used in psychotherapy that helps to modulate the brain’s response to traumatic or stressful events. In EMDR, participants recall traumatic events as their therapist directs their eye movement (or uses alternative techniques such as taps) to help the brain process the event in a new and less painful manner.

EMDR combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques with eye movement or other left-right rhythmic stimulation to open brain pathways and aid in healing.

In EMDR, the aim is to fully integrate the experiences that cause the issues, and to incorporate new experiences that are necessary for normal functioning.

EMDR Therapy

Have you ever had a hard time dealing with painful memories or feelings? Fortunately, there is a new form of therapy that can help you recover from traumatic experiences and achieve inner peace.

EMDR is a non-conventional psychotherapy technique that helps you recover from stressful life experiences in a short amount of time.

Developed to treat PTSD, EMDR can also be used to treat addiction, anxiety and depression.

Benefits of EMDR

EMDR therapy has been shown to be highly effective in treating addiction and improving mental health conditions. Some of the key benefits include:

Reduced Symptoms and Distress
Healthier Beliefs and Coping Skills
Improved relationships
Lasting Change

EMDR is a form of holistic healing that addresses the root causes of pain. If you are suffering from addiction or a mental health condition, EMDR may be the solution to overcome your past and create a better future.

Areas where EMDR is used

Emotional behavior modification (EMDR) can be used to treat a variety of mental health and addictions. Here are some areas where EMDR may be most useful:

PTSD and trauma
Addiction
Anxiety and panic disorders
Depression
Self-esteem issues

The use of EMDR has been proven to be effective in treating a wide range of conditions that involve traumatic or distressing recollections and negative thinking.

How EMDR Works to Treat Trauma and Addiction

The brain’s information processing system is stimulated by eye movement, sound or tapping. This allows the brain to release blocked traumatic memories and process them in a healthy manner.

When addictive behaviors or substances form, the brain uses them to cope with stress and trauma. EMDR helps to recognize these underlying triggers and reframe negative thought patterns and beliefs. By reinterpreting the traumatic experiences that create the addictive behaviors or substances, EMDR helps to remove the triggers and cravings associated with addiction.

EMDR involves moving your eyes from side to side while remembering traumatic events. Your eyes follow the therapist’s fingers or light. This allows your brain to access and repurpose the trauma memory.

The eye movement also triggers the brain to form new neural pathways. Over time, these traumatic memories become less powerful and negative thoughts change to more positive and healthy ones.

The 8 Phases of EMDR Treatment

The 8 stages of EMDR work to open up the feelings and memories that are causing your addictions or mental health problems.

During the first phase of your EMDR treatment, your therapist will assess if EMDR is the right choice for you and help you get ready for the second phase.
During Phase two, you will choose a particular traumatic memory to focus on, such as an event in your past that is particularly painful or stressful. Your therapist will work with you to identify what negative beliefs you have about yourself in connection with this memory.
Phase three is when you desensitize yourself to the traumatic memory using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movement, tapping, or tone. This process helps to open up the memory to allow you to process the surrounding emotions.
During Phase four, your therapist will work with you to focus on your memory and how it relates to your body, feelings, and how you feel about yourself. Through this process, your therapist will help you work through the challenging emotions.
Phase five is the installation of positive affirmations and affirmations to replace the ones you found negative in phase 2. You will repeat this bilateral stimulation to reinforce these positive affirmations.
Phase six will take you back to your original traumatic memory to see if it’s no longer stressful. If it’s still causing intense emotions, you’ll go through the process again.
Phase seven is designed to support the continuation of treatment. During this phase, you’ll talk about any connections or insights you’ve made between the focused memory and your addictions or mental health conditions.
At the end of Phase eight, it’s time to reassess your treatment plan and plan for the future.

Empowerment through self-reliance (EMDR) can be challenging, but by going through these 8 stages, you will be able to move past the trauma of the past and gain a new perspective on overcoming addiction or mental health issues.

EMDR for PTSD and Other Mental Health Conditions

In addition to PTSD, EMDR can help with other conditions, such as:

Addiction
Depression and anxiety
Eating disorders
Chronic pain

Although it may seem counterintuitive, EMDR has helped many people overcome mental health issues and find peace of mind. Ask your doctor or therapist if EMDR can help you or your family. This revolutionary therapy has enabled many people to recover from difficult life experiences and live with less anxiety and restriction.

Does EMDR Really Work? The Research on Effectiveness

The effectiveness of EMDR has been extensively studied in clinical trials. More than 100 randomised, controlled trials have demonstrated that EMDR is effective in treating PTSD, anxiety and depression, among other conditions.

EMDR is a proven treatment for PTSD. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ISSTS), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DoVAD), at least 80 percent of people experience significant relief from PTSD symptoms after 3 to 6 EMDR sessions.

Emotional and behavioral recovery (EMDR) is the process of breaking down negative patterns of emotion, thought, and body sensations that are associated with traumatic experiences, and then breaking them down into more positive, wholesome associations.