EMDR Therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety and trauma related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This type of therapy uses specialized eye movements to help your brain process difficult memories and emotions. It’s an integrative approach that uses different techniques from traditional psychotherapy to treat the root causes of emotional distress.

During the therapy session, your therapist will use a specialized light bar to guide you through eye movements while you recall a difficult memory. You’ll be asked to follow the light left and right with your eyes, and they might also ask you to tap on your knees or hands with bilateral stimulation (alternating stimulation from the right side of your body to the left side).

The light is said to activate the two hemispheres of your brain, allowing your mind to work on the memory and release any negative emotions associated with it. In addition, your healthcare provider will guide you through a series of exercises that help you understand how the trauma affects you now.

Your therapist may ask you to recall specific times, age ranges and milestones in your life during the session. They’ll then ask you to rate how much distress those events caused.

Once your therapist has identified the memories you want to work on, they’ll begin the treatment. They’ll first lead you through a body scan where they’ll touch points on your body, asking if any uncomfortable sensations are triggered by those memories.

You’ll then be asked to focus on a certain feeling or memory that you think is causing you the most stress, such as anger or fear. You’ll be instructed to repeat a series of BLSs or Body Scan exercises until you feel a reduction in the discomfort from those feelings.

Next, your therapist will help you identify positive feelings and thoughts that you would like to replace the negative ones with. This EMDR Therapy will allow your brain to release any negative emotions and beliefs that are preventing you from processing the past in a healthy, adaptive manner.

They may also ask you to think of something that made you happy or gave you strength. They’ll also give you some tools to take home so that you can continue addressing those memories on your own.

After the initial EMDR session, you might continue to meet with your therapist for ongoing sessions. They’ll be able to monitor your progress and help you stay on track for the best results.

Your therapist will typically recommend several sessions to work on the most difficult or troublesome memories and feelings, although this can vary depending on your situation. Each session typically lasts about an hour, and it can take some time to see the results you’re looking for.

Research on EMDR has shown it to be effective in a wide range of conditions, including anxiety and PTSD. It’s also been used to treat chronic pain and other physical symptoms that are triggered by traumatic experiences. Ultimately, EMDR can be an effective treatment for your condition and help you feel more in control of your life.