You understand why something affects you. You recognize the pattern and know what you want to do differently. But when it happens again, the feelings still hit just as hard.
If this sounds familiar, you might wonder whether EMDR could help.
What is the difference?
Talk therapy includes many approaches that help you explore emotions, change behaviors, build skills, and work through difficult experiences.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured psychotherapy that uses guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation while you focus on aspects of a distressing memory. It is an established treatment for PTSD. www.ptsd.va.gov
What happens during EMDR?
Your therapist first learns about your history, discusses your goals, and helps you prepare. You do not have to begin processing difficult memories immediately. www.apa.org
EMDR generally does not require describing every detail of an experience. However, difficult emotions can come up, and you can ask to pause. www.emdria.org
Is EMDR better than talk therapy?
Neither is automatically better. EMDR is one of several recommended treatments for PTSD. Your concerns, preferences, and therapist’s assessment should guide the choice. Feeling stuck does not necessarily mean you need EMDR. www.ptsd.va.gov
Ask your therapist: “What approach would you recommend for my concerns, and how will we know it’s helping?”
EMDR Therapy in Tempe
At Empowering You Therapy, we help you explore your options and find care that fits your needs. You do not need to know which approach you want before reaching out.
