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What is EMDR Therapy and How Can it Help My Marriage?  

Carole Cullen

Keep what’s most important to you. Using EMDR is a proven way to improve your relationships.

What is EMDR? 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy. It helps people self-manage and heal from disturbing experiences. EMDR helps people overcome traumatic life experiences that disrupt their lives long after they have happened.

 EMDR is formally recognized as an effective trauma treatment by:

How Does EMDR Work? 

Over 30 controlled outcome studies on EMDR therapy have consistently shown positive outcomes.  

The following are outcomes from some of those studies for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):

  • One study showed 84% to 90% of single-trauma victims overcame symptoms of PTSD. This occurred after three 90-minute sessions of EMDR therapy.

  • 100% of single trauma victims and 77% of many trauma victims eliminated symptoms of PTSD. This happened after six 50-minute sessions with an EMDR therapist.

  • 77% of combat veterans eliminated symptoms of PTSD. This occurred after attending twelve 50-minute sessions of EMDR therapy.

EMDR therapy attends to three time periods:

  • Past disturbing memories and related events

  • Present situations causing distress

  • Future skills and attitudes that will eliminate distress and disruptions from past memories

EMDR therapy is organized into eight phases:

  • Phase 1 is history-taking and assessing the patient to form the treatment plan for EMDR therapy

  • Phase 2 introduces new coping skills for emotional distress. This includes imagery and stress reduction techniques

  • Phases 3 through 6 target a memory, or images related to the memory. This will also target negative beliefs, related emotions or sensations, and positive beliefs. Then, EMDR will construct adaptation towards them

  • Phase 7 is where the patient keeps a log documenting issues that come up in their week. It serves as a reminder to keep them aware of their new coping skills to manage distress and form new habits

  • Phase 8 examines progress. It continues the pattern of evaluating historical, current, future events. This includes developing any new EMDR treatments for events that need different responses

Harvard researchers believe that eye movements and tracking a fixed point in EMDR parallel what we know about rapid eye movement (REM). This is what occurs during sleep. Researchers say REM may connect with biological mechanisms of memory processing. If so, then EMDR therapy also harnesses these connections. EMDR can support a person to transform their counter-productive stress management behaviors. EMDR can help create positive and productive self-regulation habits.

How Can EMDR Therapy in Wake Forest, NC Help My Marriage? 

EMDR can help with your relationships and how you communicate at every level in your life. Imagine experiencing trauma from a disturbing experience in a past relationship or event. That emotional disturbance now lingers in the back of your mind—always at the ready to lash out or shut down. Why? Because you may be basing your present interactions on those past experiences.

Now, imagine the likelihood of stressful social interactions spiraling out of control. Especially when people are in distress. In some cases, it can be difficult or impossible for a person to regain a foothold on returning to a state of calm. If you’re suffering emotional disturbances from past experiences, you cannot manage successful decision-making in the present. This is based on what’s going on in the situation in the present. You're also experiencing a state of upset or alarm from an experience at the same time. Thus, causing decision-making to be difficult.

EMDR therapy is the process through which you end the emotional disruptions due to past experiences. You regain your focus on the present so that you can manage the present with emotional clarity.

Begin EMDR Therapy in Wake Forest, NC

Strengthening your relationship starts with personal healing. Our caring therapists would be honored to support you in overcoming past trauma. We can provide support from our Wake Forest, NC-based therapy practice, or anywhere in the state of North Carolina with online therapy. To start EMDR therapy, follow these simple steps:

1. Book your initial therapy session

2. Meet with a caring EMDR therapist

3. Start healing from the past and creating a better future

Other Services Offered At My Therapist

EMDR therapy isn't the only service offered at our Wake Forest, NC-based practice. We offer a variety of services to support your relationship. This includes couples intensive therapy, couples workshops and retreats, and foundations of lasting love. We also provide family therapy, individual therapy for relationship issues, and AMFT & LMHC-approved supervision. Feel free to visit our blog or team page for more helpful information!

Learn more about EMDR Therapy in Wake Forest, NC.

Sources:

https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/

https://centerfordiscovery.com/understanding-actually-happens-emdr-therapy/

https://lindaklaffey.com/5-ways-emdr-can-benefit-your-relationship/

https://maibergerinstitute.com/healing-attachment-trauma-with-emdr-therapy/