The effects of trauma can be debilitating and take a toll on an individual’s well-being and overall outlook on life. Fortunately, there are ways to address trauma in the comfort of your home safely.
One such popular approach is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, which successfully reduces or eliminates common symptoms associated with traumatic events.
This guide will provide an overview of EMDR Therapy and how it can help you heal from past trauma in the comfort of your home.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Francine Shapiro, a psychologist in the late 1980s, developed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). This innovative psychotherapy has since been used to treat trauma. It was initially used as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
EMDR Therapy is based on the idea that traumatic events can cause physical and emotional pain, which can become stuck in the body. These memories are stored in our neural networks and can resurface when triggered by specific stimuli.
The goal of EMDR Therapy is to help individuals reprocess these memories and shift them from a place of distress to one of resolution and peace.
This type of therapy involves a process known as ‘bilateral stimulation,’ where the therapist will provide alternating visual, auditory, or tactile cues for the patient to focus on during treatment. As they do so, patients will be asked to recall their experiences associated with their trauma. At the same time, the therapist helps guide them through the healing process.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
The primary goal of EMDR Therapy is to help individuals reprocess and shift difficult memories associated with their trauma in a safe and supportive environment. During the treatment, the therapist will guide the patient through several phases, including:
1. History Taking
The therapist will understand the patient’s history and experiences related to their traumatic event or events. This includes gathering information about negative thought patterns contributing to their difficulties.
2. Preparation
The therapist will prepare the patient for EMDR Therapy by teaching them relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, to reduce stress before beginning treatment.
3. Assessment
In this phase, the therapist will assess which traumatic memories the patient wants to address and determine a target memory to focus on during treatment.
4. Desensitization
During this phase, the therapist will guide the patient through bilateral stimulation. At the same time, they recall their experiences associated with their trauma.
5. Installation
This is when new positive associations are introduced into the client’s neural networks to replace old, negative ones related to their trauma.
6. Body Scan
The therapist will ask the patient to perform a body scan for physical sensations or emotions that may arise as they process their experiences associated with their trauma.
7. Closure
At the end of each session, the therapist will provide the patient with a safe, calming environment to facilitate their healing process.
8. Re-evaluation
The therapist will re-evaluate and assess the progress made during each session to determine if the treatment has been successful and what further steps may need.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy at Home
One of the significant advantages of practicing EMDR Therapy at home is that it provides individuals with a sense of privacy, safety, and control over their healing journey. This can help reduce anxiety about disclosing sensitive personal information in a group or clinical environment. Additionally, many find that working through trauma on their own time allows them to move through their healing process more quickly, as they can focus on their trauma in a more relaxed and comfortable way.
How to use EMDR online therapy from your home?
The website TurboEMDR is free and the best we found. They have the best eye movement tool we could find along with EMDR sounds that produce healing for many people according to the reviews on the site.
The website also provides guidance and everything you need to start healing yourself.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to heal trauma on your own or with a therapist’s help, EMDR Therapy can be a practical approach to healing. This type of therapy is especially beneficial for those looking to process past traumatic events without the stressors of attending a clinic or group setting. With the proper guidance and support, you can transform painful memories into positive ones from the comfort of your own home. For more information on EMDR Therapy, please consult with a certified practitioner.
