EMDR Therapy

EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy in Tampa is a relatively new therapeutic method that can have lasting benefits for those struggling with substance use disorders. In previous eras, medical experts assumed that severe emotional pain could only be healed over time. EMDR therapy suggests that the mind can in fact heal itself from trauma associated with substance abuse less gradually. Fortunately, Gulf Coast Recovery Center is proud to offer EMDR therapy as part of its Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and our Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a therapeutic approach designed to help people process their most traumatic experiences and distressing memories.

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of EMDR therapy in Tampa involves something called bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation occurs through eye movements, hand taps, or auditory tones, all of which mimic the natural processing that occurs during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.

Because EMDR is not a medication, its side effects are mild but unpredictable. That said, it is recommended by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Many medical professionals point to EMDR therapy as a safe alternative to prescription medications.

However, the side effects of EMDR therapy are like those of other forms of psychotherapy. They include heightened emotions or physical sensations during therapy sessions and possible lightheadedness. Fortunately, such side effects tend to resolve themselves as treatment progresses.

What Does Our EMDR Therapy in Tampa Treat?

EMDR therapy in Tampa is an extensively researched and effective psychotherapy method. Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR therapy has since gained international recognition for its effectiveness in treating symptoms of trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), childhood abuse, and life-threatening accidents. It has also been shown effective in the treatment of substance use disorders.

How Can EMDR Help Addiction?

EMDR therapy has been used to treat addiction by targeting the underlying traumas that contribute to substance abuse. Just as EMDR helps an individual work through a traumatic event, it can help the patient focus on their addictive behaviors and the emotions behind those behaviors.

Over time, the patient starts to let go of the intense or negative feelings associated with their memories of alcohol and drug use. They also start to learn effective coping mechanisms for dealing with and overcoming their personal addiction triggers.

By reprocessing these traumatic memories and examining their triggers, patients experience a reduction in the frequency and severity of cravings, promoting an easier path to recovery.

How Can EMDR Help Mental Health?

In addition to substance use disorder, EMDR therapy is known to be effective in the treatment of the following mental health disorders:

When administered by a trained therapist who can tailor the therapy to the patient’s individual needs, EMDR therapy in Tampa treats mental health disorders by facilitating the processing and healing of distressing memories.

The ways in which EMDR helps with mental health are:

What To Expect During an EMDR Therapy Session

During an EMDR therapy session, which typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes, a trained therapist guides the patient through a series of procedures. EMDR therapy traditionally follows an eight-phase approach, which includes:

Benefits of EMDR Therapy

The main benefit of EMDR therapy is that it can help people reprocess their traumatic memories so that they grow less distressed in reaction to them, thus reducing the impact of these memories on their daily lives. Another benefit is that more positive beliefs are introduced, replacing the negative ones associated with trauma.

Some of the additional benefits of EMDR therapy include:

How We Offer EMDR Therapy at Gulf Coast Recovery Center

At Gulf Coast Recovery Center, EMDR therapy is offered as part of our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Our compassionate therapists utilize proven methods to help our patients focus on specific adverse events while learning to relax. Once the patient focuses on a single part of their trauma, the therapist employs different techniques to help them deal with the issue.