Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a psychotherapy method that has been clinically proven time and time again to be effective in the treatment of trauma and other mental health conditions. EMDR therapy is a short-term, focused treatment that can help people to heal from traumatic experiences, and it often helps people make significant progress in therapy faster.
EMDR therapy was developed in the 1980s by Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist who was working with veterans of the Vietnam War. Dr. Shapiro noticed that when she asked her clients to focus on a traumatic memory while tracking her finger back and forth in front of their eyes, they would often start to have emotional and physical reactions. However, after a few minutes of this eye movement, they would also start to feel better. It was a breakthrough in trauma therapy.
Dr. Shapiro eventually developed EMDR therapy as a way to help people process traumatic memories in a safe and effective way. EMDR therapy is now an evidence-based treatment for trauma, and it is also being used to treat other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It’s one of the most requested types of therapy from our therapists in Denver.
How EMDR Therapy Works
EMDR therapy works by helping people to process traumatic memories in a safe, effective, and powerful way. During EMDR therapy, you will work with a therapist to identify a specific traumatic memory that you would like to work on and get relief from. You will then focus on that memory while the therapist helps you to track their finger back and forth in front of your eyes from left to right.
As you focus on the memory, you may experience a variety of emotions, such as sadness, anger, stress, or fear. You may also have physical sensations, such as racing heart or shortness of breath. It is important to let your therapist know the feelings that you are experiencing during EMDR therapy.
As you continue to focus on the memory and track the therapist’s finger, you will start to process the memory in a new way. You may start to have new insights about the memory, or you may start to feel different emotions about it. You may also start to remember things that you had forgotten about the memory that you normally don’t remember.
EMDR therapy is a safe and effective treatment for trauma. It can help you to heal from traumatic experiences and to move on with your life. If you are interested in learning more about EMDR therapy in Denver, please contact a therapist near you who is trained in this type of life-changing therapy.
EMDR Therapy in Denver
There are many therapists in Denver who are trained in EMDR therapy. If you are looking for an EMDR therapist in Denver, you can use the following resources to find a therapist who is a good fit for you:
- The National EMDR Association (EMDRIA) has a directory of EMDR therapists who are certified by EMDRIA. You can find the directory on the EMDRIA website.
- The American Psychological Association (APA) also has a directory of therapists who are certified by the APA. You can find the directory on the APA website.
- You can also ask your primary care doctor or a mental health professional for a referral to an EMDR therapist.
You should feel comfortable with your therapist and you should feel confident that they can help you to heal from your trauma. Collectively, our therapists have seen thousands of clients and have helped them heal from trauma using EMDR and other proven therapy methods.
Here are some questions you can ask potential EMDR therapists:
- How long have you been practicing EMDR therapy?
- What is your experience with treating trauma?
- What is your approach to EMDR therapy?
- What are your fees?
It is also important to find a therapist who is willing to work with you at your own pace. EMDR therapy can be a powerful tool for healing, but it is important to be patient and to allow yourself time to heal.
