Post-traumatic stress disorder can rob you of your sense of safety, freedom, and empowerment, profoundly affecting your quality of life. At our PTSD retreat center, our experienced clinicians use a proven treatment technique called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, an effective and evidence-based approach developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987.

How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR emulates REM sleep – the stage when your brain integrates memories. Mirroring this process while you are awake lets you process a high volume of information. During EMDR sessions, your therapist will ask you to recall the traumatic event while directing you to make specific eye movements. Sounds, touch, and other stimuli can also be part of EMDR treatment.

While many other therapies revolve around understanding the distressing event, EMDR focuses on changing the emotions linked with what you went through.

What to Expect During EMDR Therapy

Amend Wellness’ clinicians structure EMDR therapy sessions to ensure they are sensitive to your emotional needs and personal history.

Preparation: We ensure you feel safe and grounded before starting EMDR, teaching you relaxation techniques if necessary to manage any anxiety or tension you feel.
Assessment: Your therapist will ask you to recall the traumatic memory and identify negative beliefs associated with it while gauging your distress level.
Desensitization: Your clinician will guide your eye movements while you focus on the memory. This stage aims to lessen the emotional impact of your trauma.
Installation: You’ll work to replace negative beliefs with positive ones, such as changing “I am powerless” to “I am in control.”
Closure: Each session ends by bringing you back to a state of emotional equilibrium.
Reevaluation: Subsequent sessions will include checking the progress you’ve made to ensure you maintain positive results.

The Benefits of EMDR Therapy

Though the thought of revisiting traumatic memories might seem intimidating, remembering distressing events can be less upsetting when there is something else going on to distract you. Over a series of sessions, EMDR can reduce intrusive thoughts and flashbacks, decreasing your distress and helping you find inner strength and peace.

While EMDR is non-invasive and has fewer side effects than prescription medications, you may experience intense emotions and even vivid dreams as you begin to process your trauma. It’s essential to approach therapy with an open mind and a commitment to healing, even when the process feels challenging.