You want to stop suffering.

Isn’t that why you’re considering therapy?

You want to stop hurting, to understand why you hurt and to interrupt the hurtful way you may have related to others.

Simply put, you’ve been hurting too long.

Now may be the time to change the way you’ve dealt with your emotional pain so that you can live the life you long for.

A bit unconventional, but scientifically proven, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) treatment deserves consideration as a therapeutic means to your peace of mind. It is used widely to treat suffering people with much success in short amounts of time. Whether you’re suffering from anxiety, depression, chronic pain or unresolved trauma, research indicates this process can help you make healthy progress toward healing.

Consider these 5 reasons EMDR might be worth your while:

1. EMDR is a complete, direct, and accurate process.

According to the EMDR Network, “The goal of EMDR therapy is to process completely the experiences that are causing problems and to include new ones that are needed for full health. ‘Processing’ does not mean talking about it. ‘Processing’ means setting up a learning state that will allow experiences that are causing problems to be “digested” and stored appropriately in your brain. That means that what is useful to you from an experience will be learned, and stored with appropriate emotions in your brain and be able to guide you in positive ways in the future.”

People who have experienced trauma may find it keeps them stuck in the form of disruptive or intrusive emotions, physical sensation, or inappropriate responses. EMDR allows you to deal with challenges directly with an impressive level of accuracy.

2. EMDR and the brain’s natural inclination to heal work together.

Emotional resistance and cognitive blocks can sabotage healthy mental recovery. One of the most beneficial aspects of EMDR therapy is that healing does not need to be a prolonged process. Once a mental block has been identified, EMDR can relieve your distress in completely natural and sustainable ways. Research shows that EMDR helps re-establish productive thought and cognitive reasoning effectively and does not interfere with other treatments.

3. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to support important mental connections.

Generally, it helps shift and transform your troubling thoughts and memories. Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., EMDR creator and pioneer, describes the participant’s procedure:

“…They need only focus briefly on the disturbing memory during the processing while engaged in the bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps or tones) as the internal associations are made. The client’s brain makes the needed links as new emotions, sensations, beliefs, and memories emerge. All the work is done during the therapy sessions. It is not necessary for the client to describe the memory in detail, and no homework is used.”

Incredibly, recent studies reveal that more than 80 percent of single event trauma victims saw their symptoms improve measurably after investing in just a few 90-minute EMDR sessions.

4. EMDR alleviates the emotional pain connected to trauma

While EMDR is most commonly used to address trauma, it also helps reduce the depression and anxiety some trauma victims suffer, and has been very effective in the treatment of chronic pain. Furthermore, as avoidance is a common coping mechanism in individuals with PTSD, it helps individuals recover without feeling the need to avoid all of the people, places, and things they associate with the traumatic event. Soon, a more positive future outlook emerges, and the ability to feel pleasure and make emotional connections occurs.

5. EMDR triggers immediate relief and ongoing recovery.

Together, you and your therapist can use EMDR sessions to redirect your thoughts and feelings that link to your trauma. The direct, unambiguous nature of EMDR increases the likelihood of relief and self-awareness. In essence, you aren’t as affected by the interpretation of your therapist. EMDR, therefore, is empowering, trustworthy, and comforting to many participants. You may feel more open, receptive, and emotionally attuned. EMDR supports clarity, improved perspective and more logical decision-making. This allows for healthier and more permanent recovery moving forward. Traumatic memories, unresolved emotional pain, stress and trauma can live deep inside you for a long time, holding you hostage.

You deserve to recover. Talk to a Certified EMDR Therapist about EMDR.

Give it a try.

It’s worth the effort if it will help you let go of the past and live well.

Take the first step…

If you are ready to consider EMDR, I would like to help. I have been a Certified EMDR Therapist since 2004, and have helped hundreds of clients benefit from this incredibly useful methodology. Please get in touch with me via voicemail or email so we can discuss how we might work together to change your life for the better as quickly and effectively as possible. I look forward to hearing from you.

Linda K. Laffey, MFT