If you’re researching addiction treatment options, you may have come across EMDR therapy. What is EMDR therapy? EDMR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a form of psychotherapy. Used since the late 1980s, EMDR can help people with a range of mental health issues, including addiction. Here at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®, we offer EMDR therapy for women with an addiction history who are looking for an effective way to address their trauma and move forward in sobriety. To learn more about EMDR therapy options, contact us at 855.773.0614 today. Our EMDR therapy treatment program helps clients address traumatic memories and learn to cope with difficult situations in a more functional way. We focus on providing trauma-informed care that helps our clients identify triggers and unhealthy behaviors and learn how to move forward in recovery.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
What is EMDR therapy? EMDR helps patients process traumatic memories and reduce the distress associated with those memories. It was developed by clinical psychologist Francine Shapiro in 1987 and has since gained widespread acceptance within the mental health community. It is considered one of the most effective treatments available for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other traumas. In addition, it can also be used to treat:
- Phobias
- Grief
- Performance anxiety
- Depression
- Panic attacks
EMDR can also help with symptoms related to substance abuse disorders, such as cravings or triggers.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR works by stimulating both sides of the brain simultaneously through eye movements or tactile stimulation (such as hand tapping). This bilateral stimulation is thought to help “unblock” stuck memories so they can be processed more effectively by the brain’s natural healing mechanisms. During treatment sessions, patients recall their traumatic memory while focusing on either external or internal stimuli provided by their therapist—typically a sound or light—which help keep them grounded in the present moment. After each set of stimuli is presented (usually 8–12 sets), patients are asked to report on any changes they noticed in their level of distress or any new images or thoughts that arose during the exercise. As these sessions, progress over time—usually between 3 and 12—patients become better able to view their traumatic experiences without feeling overwhelmed by negative emotions or sensations associated with them.
The Benefits of EMDR Therapy for Women With Addiction Histories
At our women’s addiction treatment center in Asheville, NC, we have seen firsthand how beneficial EMDR can be for women struggling with addictions due to unresolved trauma from past events or relationships. By helping them address these underlying issues head-on in a safe environment free from judgment or stigma, patients can begin to heal from their past pain so they can move forward in recovery without fear of relapse due to unresolved emotional issues or triggers related to past traumas. Additionally, because EMDR does not require medication use like some other forms of therapy do (like cognitive behavioral therapy), it provides an alternative option for those seeking relief from trauma without relying on potentially dangerous drugs that could cause further harm down the road if abused recreationally or taken incorrectly (or both).
Discover EMDR Therapy for Women at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®
EMDR therapy offers an effective way for women with addiction histories who are dealing with trauma-related issues to work through their emotions without having to resort to potentially addictive medications or therapies that might not provide lasting results long-term when addressing deep-seated psychological problems such as PTSD and other forms of unresolved trauma stemming from past relationships or events. At The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®, we understand how important it is for individuals who are struggling with addictions due to unresolved traumas from their pasts to get effective treatment options like EMDR therapy that will help them find peace and healing on their journeys toward long-term sobriety and a healthier life overall. If you’d like more information about our program here at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®, please reach out today at 855.773.0614.
