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There are many types of therapy available. As more and more information comes out about best treatment practices for different mental health conditions, there are now a variety of methods to choose from.
While most people benefit from talk therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR therapy is growing in popularity. At Steps For Change, we utilize various techniques and treatments to individualize treatment approaches. To learn more about our EMDR therapy in Minnesota, continue reading or contact us today.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing or EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that is also considered as a type of exposure therapy. It draws upon Francine Shapiro’s model of Adaptive Information processing (AIP).
However, it doesn’t function in the same way that many more traditional styles of exposure therapy do because EMDR allows the brain to heal.
During EMDR therapy in MN, the patient would be able to think about those memories without feeling the distressing emotions that normally come alongside them. They’ll be able to approach the memories with their logical brains and tuck them away without them resurfacing with triggers.
EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation to bring up and reprocess traumatic experiences or negative emotional memories. It relies on the idea that memories that cause distress are actually unprocessed memories. Our brains may be unwilling to process these memories as a method of self-preservation.
When a traumatic or distressing memory is “raw,” it may continue to trigger sensory reactions, prolonging the amount of time that it will take to process it. This can result in feeling triggered, and it’s possible that those triggers will go away once healing has started.
In EMDR sessions, therapists use various methods of bilateral stimulation.
Your first EMDR session isn’t too different from any other therapy session. Think of it as a consultation where you and your therapist will get to know each other and you’ll start working together on a treatment plan.
You’ll answer general questions about the current state of your mental health. With that, your therapist may ask you to help them create a map for your therapy process.
EMDR is a short-term therapy, so once the map is over, your sessions are complete (though there is some wiggle room if something new comes up).
During this session, your therapist may ask you general questions about events that distress you. They may go chronologically or from least distressing to most distressing.
With this information, they’ll create your treatment plan. They may also ask you about which method of EMDR bilateral stimulation that you’d prefer.
Research suggests that EMDR is an efficient and effective method for healing trauma-related conditions. If you or a loved one have experienced a traumatic event in your life EMDR can help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex trauma. Many researchers believe that past trauma, no matter how small, is the root of many mental health disorders.
EMDR can also be used for certain mood disorders like bipolar disorder and a wide variety of other mental health issues.
Your therapist can help you figure out if your specific concern or mental health disorder is a good fit for EMDR. If you’ve already tried other forms of exposure therapy, it’s a good choice.
If you already see a therapist, ask them if they think EMDR therapy would be effective for you. Millions of people have seen amazing results from this exposure therapy approach.
Traumatic memories that cause excessive distress can be debilitating. EMDR might be able to help.
If you’re looking for EMDR therapy in Minnesota, we can help. At Steps for Change, our experienced and compassionate mental health professionals want to help you heal. Contact us for more information or book an appointment today.
Brooklyn Center Outpatient Office
6040 Earle Brown Dr. Suite 420
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
Edina Outpatient Office
7401 Metro Blvd. Suite 495
Edina, MN 55439
Steps For Change (SFC) is using the information provided by credible sources, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Red Cross, to guide our approach to the virus. Currently, SFC’s offices remain closed to clients/families, guests, and non-essential personnel. SFC is still accepting new referrals and teletherapy appointments are being offered through Zoom to new and pre-existing clients. Our goal is to continue to provide good customer service to all our visitors and ensure all staff are employing best practices.
For more information please refer to the Steps For Change Preparedness Plan: SFC Covid-19 Preparedness Plan Effective 6.15.2020
When entering into a Steps For Change location, please abide by the following Safety Precautions: COVID19 Safety Precaution Policies 6.15.20 (COVID19 Safety Precaution Policies – Spanish 6.15.20)
