Understanding EMDR Therapy: A Comprehensive Approach to Healing Traumatic Experiences in Calgary
For those in Calgary struggling with anxiety and other mental health concerns, understanding available therapy options like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is crucial for effective treatment of anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions. At Living Well Counselling Services in Calgary, we recognize the paramount importance of mental well-being. As such, we provide individual therapy and couples therapy administered by our esteemed team of Registered Psychologists, Social Workers, and Experienced Counsellors, all of whom have specialized training in trauma and various therapeutic approaches.
Over the past few years, EMDR Therapy has become somewhat of a buzzword in the world of psychotherapy. But what is EMDR, and what is it used for? Here is a description of what EMDR Calgary is and answers to some frequently asked questions about it.
How Does EMDR Therapy Work?
EMDR is based on the premise that performing bilateral movements, such as lateral eye movements, while processing distressing memories leads to a reduction in the intensity of emotions related to these incidents. Bilateral stimulation can be performed in various forms, such as eye movements from right to left or vice versa, alternating sounds, or alternating tactile stimulation. This process helps to desensitize and reprocess traumatic memories, thereby reducing emotional distress, psychological stress, and the emotional impact of past events.
There are various theories that support the effectiveness of EMDR. One theory suggests that bilateral eye movements mimic the eye movements that we perform during REM sleep. REM (Rapid Eye Movement) is a stage of sleep where information processing occurs. Once information is processed, it gets consolidated into long-term memory. Therefore, by activating our information processing system, we have the ability to re-process our experiences in ways that are more adaptive or useful, integrating positive beliefs and reducing the emotional charge of distressing experiences.
Another theory involves the Ego State, where different parts of the self are addressed to heal unresolved trauma and complex emotions. By utilizing bilateral stimulation, EMDR can help integrate these ego states for a more cohesive sense of self.
Later, it was found that bilateral stimulation of various forms also led to a reduction of distressing symptoms and overwhelming feelings. These could include tapping your arms alternating between right and left, tapping your knees, or feeling a vibration back and forth from right hand to left. Performing these actions while processing through disturbing memories could reduce distress and help alleviate the effects of stress on the body and mind.
What Does an EMDR Treatment Session Look Like?
An EMDR therapy session can vary from session to session, as there are several stages to EMDR treatment. In the beginning, sessions may focus on information gathering and learning emotion regulation strategies. Similar to other forms of therapy, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy, it is important to have a good understanding of the how, what, when, and why. We adopt a collaborative approach to therapy, ensuring that your needs and goals are central to the process. We want to know what brought you to therapy and what you wish to achieve from it.
We also want you to learn how to cope with emotional distress and physical sensations quickly if they arise during your appointment. Some examples of emotion regulation strategies are deep breathing, visualizing your peaceful place, acupressure, and mindfulness-based techniques. These strategies help manage the body’s reactions and body sensations associated with distressing events.
During subsequent sessions, we may determine the string of experiences you have had throughout your lifetime that share similarities to your presenting concern. The assumption is that sometimes our adverse life experiences, including adverse childhood experiences, build on top of each other to create a mountain of unresolved trauma that becomes hard to manage. In order to feel complete relief, the entire mountain must be addressed. Whether or not we work on the entire mountain will depend on how many sessions you’re willing and able to have and whether you wish to tackle the incidents that created the mountain. It’s okay if you’re not ready or able to go that far. We can also feel relief by tackling some layers of the mountain, addressing the most pressing psychological issues.
What Will I Gain from the EMDR Process?
The goal in treatment is to be able to perceive your past, present, and future life experiences more adaptively and through a lens that is more accurate. When we experience distressing events or trauma, sometimes the negative beliefs that get internalized aren’t useful or even true, leading to negative memories. Here is an example:
You get into a car accident during a snowstorm. You’re so shaken up because your car is totaled, and the driver you collided with has sustained some injuries. You think to yourself, “I’m such an idiot; I should have been more careful. It’s my fault they’re hurt.” Our brain tends to look for information that’s consistent with what we believe is true; as such, we might add more “files” over the years into the “I’m an idiot that hurts people” folder. EMDR can help to integrate more positive beliefs into experiences like this one so that when you think back to it in the future, you think to yourself, “I care about people’s well-being. I do the best that I can, and I can accept appropriate responsibility.” This shift in perspective contributes to improved emotional well-being and reduced emotional pain.
What Conditions Can Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Treat?
EMDR can be useful for just about any symptoms as it targets distressing emotions in general, like trauma. It is most commonly used to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions; however, it can also be useful with anxiety, depression, childhood trauma, anger, addictions, panic, chronic pain, grief therapy, and mental health issues such as dissociative disorders, personality disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
If you’ve had some painful experiences in your life and you find yourself trapped behind the conflict between one part of you that says, “I know I’m lovable, worthy, competent, etc.” versus another part that says the opposite, EMDR therapy could be useful for you. It can be beneficial to address past traumas, present stressors, as well as future worries, such as, “I won’t be able to cope with losing my job.” Any painful emotions, really, be it in the past, present, or future. EMDR offers a holistic viewpoint of healing, integrating both body sensations and cognitive processes.
Our Therapeutic Approach
At Living Well Counselling Services, we adopt a client-centered and trauma-informed therapy approach. Our therapists have specialized training in trauma therapy and utilize evidence-based therapies such as EMDR, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness-Based Techniques. We also offer art therapy and child attachment therapies. Our therapeutic approach is sensitive and tailored to each client’s needs, providing a supportive environment for clients to explore their mental health challenges, emotional distress, and issues of grief.
We recognize that everyday events can sometimes trigger past traumas, leading to distressing symptoms and overwhelming feelings. By understanding the impact of trauma and the effects of stress, we can help clients navigate their healing journey. Our therapists incorporate concepts from the Polyvagal Theory, which explains how the nervous system responds to stress and trauma, affecting body reactions and emotional charge. By understanding these physiological responses, we can better address the effects of stress and promote healing.
We offer online therapy options for those who prefer the convenience of virtual sessions. Our services cater to individuals dealing with adverse childhood experiences, unresolved trauma, interpersonal issues, and various forms of anxiety, including generalized anxiety and illness adjustment.
Meet Our Team
Our team includes Registered Psychologists, Experienced Counsellors, and Social Workers who are committed to providing compassionate therapy. With extensive training in trauma and specialized training in various therapeutic modalities, our therapists are equipped to handle a wide range of mental health concerns and psychological issues. We believe in a collaborative approach to therapy, working together with clients to achieve their goals.
Administrative Details
We understand that accessing mental health services can be challenging, so we strive to make the process as smooth as possible. We offer direct billing to many insurance providers to reduce the financial burden on our clients.
Book a Consultation In Calgary
If you’re interested in EMDR or any of our other adult therapy services, go ahead and book a consultation with our therapist or one of Living Well’s other Calgary EMDR therapists. We would be happy to assist you on your journey towards healing and improved mental well-being.
Living Well Counselling Services
4803 Centre St NW #4, Calgary, AB T2E 2Z6
403-695-7911