EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – EMDR therapy

Get reliable mental health treatment with EMDR therapy in Geelong today.

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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – EMDR therapy

What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR therapy), a form of psychotherapy invented and developed in 1987 by the American psychologist – Francine Shapiro, is a unique method of therapy that is particularly effective in the treatment of trauma. EMDR therapy is widely considered one of the best treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it can also be utilized in the treatment of other mental health concerns such as:

  • anxiety disorders

  • depression

  • complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD)

  • addictions

  • confidence concerns

  • relationship issues

  • flashbacks

  • nightmares

  • phobias

  • acute stress disorder

  • chronic grief

  • ​chronic pain​

EMDR therapy is understood to be of service for several mental health conditions. Don’t hesitate to speak to our experts if you would like to try EMDR therapy for your well-being concerns.

Neuro-Auricular Modulation for EMDR therapy

Age-dependent trauma memories are stored in a neural circuit. The lateral eye movements used in EMDR therapy bypass the circuit and allow the recall of trauma memories to be activated.

This activation of new neural connections hinders the brain’s endless loops of disorderly or undisciplined thoughts which are mainly based on life experiences. Auricular techniques are used to make the same mechanisms that have been proven effective in stimulating associative memory, such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing EMDR, and restoration of dual attention without the use of cognitive (such as prefrontal cortex) involvement.

Shannon, the director of Create Balance Health and Counseling, is an EMDR therapist and a leader in neuro-auricular methods for EMDR therapy at his office in Geelong. He has teamed up with the Canadian Institute of Auricular Medicine (CIAM) to provide equally dynamic and effective mental health treatment.

Visit the following links For more on EMDR Therapy:

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EMDR: How it Works

EMDR therapy involves the quick movement of a client’s eyes, stimulating their working storage and fostering the reprogramming of their brains. In turn, this relieves and reduces even a strong feeling of painful thoughts and even memories. Along with visual bilateral stimulation, it can also utilize tactile and auditory relief.

Try EMDR Therapy

All the therapists at Create Balance have undergone the required training to use the EMDR therapy method, and one of these therapists, Shannon, is certified as an EMDRAA Australia Accredited Practitioner. We have delivered excellent results to those dealing with severe mental health disorders including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Phases of EMDR Therapy

You will be engaged in eight phases of EMDR therapy, which is described in more depth below. You may be amazed at how quickly you experience relief, but you must complete all eight phases.

Duration of EMDR Therapy

All these phases may take place differently from session to session, depending on what is useful for the client, their mental health, and their individual preferences. Though a typical EMDR therapy session lasts from 60-90 minutes, overall, the length of treatment will depend on the needs of each individual client, the nature of the problems they are facing, and even their own personality. EMDR treatment, typically takes only a few minutes for one individual but could involve several weeks for another.

EMDR At A Glance

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Real People Reveal Their Lived Experience of EMDR Therapy.

The Eight Phases of EMDR Therapy

Phase 1: History and Treatment Planning

The first appointment will involve a dialogue about why you are in therapy, highlighting any issues that have previously been experienced, as well as any issues recently identified. Some of your clients may not feel like sharing the details of their concerns; EMDR therapy is unique in that only a general image or outline is necessary for your therapist to develop an effective treatment plan. Your plan will account for past and present difficulties from life experiences and evaluate the skills and behaviors that will help you deal with difficulties in the future.

Phase 2: Preparation

A trustworthy and honest connection with your psychotherapist is crucial to the success of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. This does not mean that you will require to reveal every disturbing memory but you do need to express your emotional state and the way you have changed since you began treatment. The therapist will support you through a safe and nurturing setting by providing a detailed explanation of EMDR therapy, the techniques employed during treatment, and what you’ll experience during and after the therapy. To aid you with confronting troubling feelings, thoughts and memories, your therapist will also give you useful relaxation strategies.

Phase 3: Assessment

During the third phase of assessment, your therapist will ask you to pay attention to certain times and events, thoughts, or beliefs from the troubling events identified in phase one. You will be asked to identify and rate the emotions and physical sensations triggered by the contemplation of the thoughts and actions being focused on, as well as rate your feelings on a scale. The chosen therapist will direct you to think of the behavior and belief you really strive for in your future, rate your feelings again, and rate the behaviors and beliefs once more.

 

After the assessment is finished, the reprocessing of suffering is done. The eyes do not require you to talk about your trauma if you don’t want to – they do all the work for you. There are also other kinds of bilateral stimulation, including taps or tones you can choose from. Feel free to reach out to Create Balance for further info). Your therapist may allow you to continue to examine and process your thoughts repeatedly until your distress decreases. This may happen slowly or rapidly, but your therapist can help you work through it as early as you desire.

Phase 4: Desensitization

Following the analysis and reprocessing of memories and thoughts, one of the most detrimental emotions and thoughts may have changed or shifted. Your therapist will focus on targeting any related or additional distress that may have developed. This will help you experience a sense of holistic empowerment.

Phase 5: Installation

The fifth phase aims to instill and strengthen the belief that you’ve set for yourself. The goal is to replace your original negative beliefs with positive ones. Logic may make it difficult to accept that you’ve fully accomplished your goal or that you have reached your target. The EMDR therapist can help you to identify how you can achieve the goal.

Phase 6: Body Scan

At this point, your therapist will ask you to reflect on the initial stresses, traumas or unfavorable memories that caused you distress, and to think whether you have any sensations of trauma. According to investigation, emotional trauma may be stored in bodily memory as distinct from a narrative recollection. A physical response can be a reminder about unresolved thoughts that might need to be targeted to be healed.

Phase 7: Closure

After every EMDR therapy session, you want to leave feeling better than you did at the beginning. If your therapist isn’t able to thoroughly address your traumatic memory within a single session, you’ll be provided with additional self-calming exercises until the task is finished. You should be in charge of your feelings and reactions during the EMDR therapy sessions, but it is also vital that you retain control over your feelings and reactions during and after our sessions. The therapist will describe any particular expectations between sessions and how to deal with negative feelings and experiences while outside appointments.

Phase 8: Re-evaluation

At the beginning of each new session of EMDR therapy, your therapist will check in with you regarding any required modifications in your treatment. He or she will also identify new locations of treatment that need attention and continue reprocessing trauma. 

 

Appointments are available Monday to Friday in person in Geelong West or online Australia-wide.

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