If you are an adult living with anxiety, you know that it can be a difficult condition to manage. You may have tried different forms of therapy and counseling without finding solutions that work for you. One therapy option available to adults with anxiety is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This type of psychotherapy aims to help patients process unresolved feelings and memories to reduce symptoms of anxiety. Read on to learn more about how EMDR works, what the treatment involves, and how it can help adults with anxiety.
What Is EMDR?
EMDR is a type of psychotherapy that uses eye movements or other kinds of bilateral stimulation (such as tapping) in order to help the patient process traumatic events or emotions from their past. The goal is for the patient to become more aware of the underlying causes of their distress and develop new coping strategies in order to reduce symptoms of anxiety. It is important to note that while EMDR has been found effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as other mental health conditions such as depression, panic disorder, and phobias, there is still not enough research on its effectiveness in treating adults with anxiety specifically.
The Treatment Process
Before beginning EMDR sessions, a therapist will first assess your situation and develop a treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs. During each session, the psychotherapist will guide you through a series of eye movements while thinking about different aspects of your experience related to your feelings or memories around the traumatic event(s). As this happens, the therapist will make observations about how you are feeling during these exercises so they can adjust the intensity accordingly if needed. The goal is for you to become desensitized from any negative feelings associated with trauma or memories from your past in order for them to no longer have power over you.
How Can EMDR Help Adults With Anxiety?
For adults dealing with anxiety due to unresolved issues from their past, EMDR can provide relief by addressing these issues directly rather than avoiding them altogether. By allowing yourself time for processing these events in a safe environment with the guidance of a trained professional, you can learn new strategies on how best to manage any stressful situations that arise in your daily life without relying on self-destructive coping mechanisms such as avoidance or substance use disorders. Additionally, by developing healthier ways of managing stressors related to past trauma or experiences, adult sufferers of anxiety can begin engaging in activities they may have once avoided due to fear or discomfort from these experiences.
What Can An Adult With Anxiety Expect From EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) psychotherapy is a powerful tool used by therapists to assist adults with anxiety. This type of counselling differs from traditional psychotherapies as it uses cognitive behavioural therapy along with eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation. The therapist works closely with the adult suffering from anxiety to determine which type of EMDR would be most beneficial for their situation. Once a treatment plan is established, the counsellor may use this type of psychotherapy to help reduce overall stress levels, decrease negative thoughts and behaviours, and promote healthy emotional regulation. Through EMDR, adults struggling with anxiety can begin to heal and make positive changes in their life.
What Are The Benefits Of EMDR For An Adult With Anxiety?
EMDR psychotherapy is a technique used by counsellors to help adults with anxiety. By implementing eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), psychotherapists can assist their clients in processing distressing memories, managing emotions, and reducing physical symptoms of anxiety. During treatment, the counselor will guide the client through regulated eye movements while they bring up difficult memories in order to fixate on an anxiety-triggering event and make connections during the trauma. The benefits include engaging in healthier relationships, decreased fear of triggers, improved concentration, and elevated moods. In conclusion, psychotherapy with EMDR is a powerful tool for adults to cope with anxiety and move towards a life of well-being and resilience.
How Long Will EMDR Take To Work For An Adult Suffering/Dealing With Anxiety?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) psychotherapy is quickly gaining traction as a beneficial therapeutic approach for adults struggling with anxiety. It has grown in popularity due to its ultra-fast effects, often achieving tangible results in just a matter of weeks. An individual’s response to EMDR will depend on their own timeline and needs, so it’s important to work closely with a psychotherapist or counsellor to monitor your progress throughout the treatment process. The therapist can make appropriate adjustments according to the patient’s needs, allowing for an individualized approach that leads to successful outcomes for adults suffering from anxiety.
How Do I Know If EMDR Is The Right Treatment For An Adult With Anxiety?
To determine if EMDR psychotherapy is the right treatment for an adult with anxiety, it is important to consult a qualified psychotherapist or counsellor. A therapist can evaluate the individual’s needs and history to recommend the best approach for their particular circumstances. Schedule a consultation visit and discuss the pros and cons of EMDR psychotherapy with your psychotherapist or counselor. Ask questions about the type of help being offered and how it can specifically benefit your current mental health needs. Ultimately, you need to trust that your psychotherapist is well-informed and has your best interests in mind when prescribing treatment options like EMDR psychotherapy. Finding the right therapy treatment will be an important step toward managing anxiety symptoms successfully.
In conclusion, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has been found effective for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, panic disorder, and phobias—and may also be beneficial for adults living with anxiety who are looking for an alternative form of psychotherapy outside traditional talk therapy methods alone. By providing patients with an opportunity to process unresolved issues from their past in a safe setting while utilizing eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation approaches tailored specifically towards their individual needs—EMDR can help adults suffering from stressors associated with unresolved trauma find relief without having resorting self-destructive coping mechanisms such as avoidance or substance use disorders when faced with stressful situations arising within their daily lives. If you are interested in learning more about how this approach could benefit you personally please consult your doctor or mental health professional today!
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Sarah Jackson, BBA, MACP, RP (Qualifying), or another Kitchener psychotherapist at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
