EMDR Therapy and Residential Treatment

EMDR – What is it?

EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that helps people process and heal from traumatic memories. It is based on the idea that trauma can become “stuck” in the brain, causing emotional and psychological stress. The goal of EMDR is to help people heal from their experiences and find relief from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as other complex mental health challenges.
 

EMDR: The 8 Phases of Therapy

The American Psychological Association describes EMDR as having 8 phases:

• Phase 1 – History taking: In addition to getting a full history and conducting the appropriate assessments, the therapist will and patient work together to identify targets for treatment. These can include past memories, current triggers, and future goals.
• Phase 2 – Preparation: During this phase, the therapist works to educate the patient about the mechanics of EMDR and helps them develop strategies to copy with the stress of traumatic events and memories, including breathing techniques or creating a mental safe space.
• Phase 3 – Assessment: The therapist works with the patient to draw out the upsetting imagery, current negative belief, desired positive belief, as well as current emotions and physical sensations to gauge a baseline.
• Phase 4 – Desensitization: During bilateral stimulation, normally using tactile tappers and visual light cues, the patient is guided by their therapist to focus on the memory or event, allowing for the spontaneous emergence of insights, emotions, physical sensations, and other memories. This continues until the patient’s Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) rating reaches zero.
• Phase 5 – Installation: When desensitization is complete, the therapist uses bilateral stimulation to help the patient associate and strengthen their preferred positive belief for the event or memory until it feels true.
• Phase 6 – Body scan: During this phase, the therapist will help the patient focus on and process any residual negative physical sensations
• Phase 7 – Closure: The therapist will help the patient close the session, returning them to a state of calm in the present moment.
• Phase 8 – Evaluating treatment results: Each subsequent session opens with time for the therapist and patient to discuss the patient’s current level of distress around the traumatic memory and how their symptoms are changing.

EMDR illustrates you can heal from psychological trauma much like your body would heal from a physical wound. If your brain’s pathway is blocked by a traumatic event, EMDR therapy can help remove that block and you can resume your path to mental and emotional well-being.
 

EMDR: How does it differ from other therapy modalities?

Unlike CBT with a trauma focus, EMDR therapy aims to reduce a patient’s distress and strengthen their ability to adjust their thoughts and beliefs around traumatic events. EMDR therapy does not involve retelling detailed descriptions of the traumatic event, direct challenging of one’s beliefs, extended exposure, or homework, as is typical with CTB therapies.
 

EMDR – Amend Treatment and EMDR

At Amend Treatment, our certified practitioners harness this powerful, evidence-based approach to help you heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. Our Clients receive 5 daily, individual therapy sessions during their stay and are offered EMDR therapy if it is the right treatment path for them. Treatment is overseen by specialized practitioners including:

• Certified EMDR therapists
• Clinical psychologists
• Nervous system experts
• Integration specialists
• Mindfulness guides
• Somatic practitioners

If you’d like to talk to a specialist at Amend Treatment about whether you might benefit from EMDR therapy for residential treatment of PTSD or any other mental health condition, please give us a call or reach out through our online system.
 

We are here for you.

Feel free to reach out to us to start your journey or if you have any questions. We’re here to assist you and look forward to connecting with you soon.

Admissions – (866) 726-0226
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