When faced with traumatic experiences it can be hard to move on from them. You may have tried to forget about what occurred or suppress your emotions at first. But you must process your tough memories and feelings in order to actually feel better.
One of the most efficient methods to achieve this is through EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
EMDR is a type of psychotherapy that is used to alleviate the symptoms of trauma. Francine Shapiro created the EMDR approach to alleviate the suffering associated and persistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it has gone on to be used for a variety of mental conditions and issues.
Furthermore, in certain situations, this treatment can help individuals heal more quickly as compared to traditional talk therapy.
On the other hand, unlike many other traditional therapies, EMDR does not force individuals to reveal excessive information about their history or to complete homework.
EMDR focuses on how the brain reacts to unprocessed traumatic memories. Emerging neuroscience supports the brain’s ability to regenerate neuroplasticity. In other words, appropriate treatments can alter how the brain comprehends and processes information.
The timeframe for EMDR varies from person to person, just as each experience is unique. The therapy plan mostly consists of one to three months of weekly sessions lasting an hour or more.
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EMDR Therapy Online Session Procedure
Online EMDR therapy is divided into eight steps that allow clients to gradually become desensitized to their targeted content. Hence, you will have to go to several sessions. Commonly, 9 to 12 sessions are required for treatment.
The equipment which you will need for EMDR online therapy is either a desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet along with a stable internet connection.
Furthermore, it is also a plus if you have headphones. As with any treatment appointment, make sure you will not be disturbed and that you are in an environment you feel safe in.
Step 1: History and Planning
Individuals can sign up for online EMDR treatment at a reputable virtual company like BetterHelp. BetterHelp is a well-known virtual therapy website that assists people from around the world with the help of their professional therapists.
Furthermore, individuals can start it on their first appointment. The therapist will commence the first few steps of EMDR by taking the client’s history, organizing the treatment, and preparing the client for the task.
Also, talking about your trauma and finding potential painful experiences to treat particularly are all part of the evaluation step.
Step 2: Preparation
In this step, the therapist will next assist you in learning a variety of coping mechanisms to deal with the emotional or psychological stress you are dealing with. On the other hand, deep breathing and mindfulness are two stress management approaches that can be used.
Step 3: Assessment
During the evaluation step of EMDR treatment, your therapist will pick the specific memories that will be treated, as well as all of the relevant components for each target memory.
Step 4 to 7
During the fourth to seventh stages, the therapist will begin treating your specific memories using EMDR treatment procedures.
The therapist will ask you to do precise eye movements at the same time as you discuss the trauma and its implications. Depending on your situation, the bilateral stimulation may also comprise taps or other motions.
Furthermore, following the bilateral stimulation, the therapist will urge the client to relax and pay attention to the thoughts and feelings that arise. The therapist may use their fingers to guide eye movement, for online therapy, they may use a virtual bilateral stimulation tool.
Furthermore, when you have recognized these ideas, your therapist may invite you to think about one traumatic memory or go on to another. Finally, if you become aggravated, your therapist will help you return to the present before moving on to another traumatic memory.
Step 8: Evaluation
The EMDR treatment method may resurface emotions that were present at the time of the trauma, making clients more sensitive for a brief time until the symptoms subside.
As a result, before starting therapy, therapists prefer to make sure that their clients have adequate coping skills and supporting resources.
Furthermore, qualified therapists will spend time assisting the client in preparing for EMDR by testing for these coping abilities and teaching new coping skills in the early stages of the therapy to ensure the client’s success with the therapy.
After these sessions, you will be asked to evaluate your progress in the final step. Simultaneously, your therapist will do the same.
Benefits of Online EMDR Therapy
EMDR was created as a way to deal with traumatic memories in a traditional therapy setting. However, online EMDR is still a useful approach to help individuals recover from trauma.
Preliminary research suggests that EMDR might also be used to aid with other concerns, for instance, anxiety, eating disorder, depression, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), addiction, and chronic pain.
You can find a therapist near you or use BetterHelp’s 24/7 customer support if you have any questions about how EMDR could assist you with your individual issue.
The main advantage of EMDR is that it allows individuals to overcome their past. Online sessions are secure, efficient, and confidential.
Many people attended treatment over the phone or via video chat even before the Covid-19 outbreak. It has been proved in several studies to be suitable and beneficial for a variety of conditions.
Virtual treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been studied in depth. In-person and distance treatment produced similar results, and both forms provided long-term advantages.
Furthermore, online EMDR can provide flexibility in terms of scheduling, commuting, and mental health advantages.
EMDR has been demonstrated to be an effective technique to help people process traumatic events and emotions. On the other hand, being able to join sessions from the comfort of your own home can help you open up more. You can get therapy in the comfort of your own home with online EMDR.
Moreover, you will not have to worry about stumbling into someone you know in the waiting area or having to travel somewhere.
Bilateral stimulations can be accomplished in EMDR online sessions easily by moving your eyes, physically tapping your shoulders or legs with your hands, or listening to right and left auditory tones using headphones.
Bottomline
Using online EMDR therapy with platforms such as BetterHelp to treat OCD, PTSD, and other anxiety disorders is becoming popular. It provides a convenient option to get high-quality, evidence-based therapy from any place.
EMDR is much more than just a trauma treatment. It is a technique for reshaping one’s inner world. Moreover, it can help clients go from a reactive to a cognitive state, and from defeating self-beliefs to a positive self-image.
On the other hand, online EMDR treatment takes less time to achieve these goals in certain circumstances. Also, online EMDR treatment is a fantastic technique to heal from trauma, anxiety, and a variety of other issues.
If you are still unsure about whether EMDR is suitable for you or not, fear is definitely holding you back. You may be concerned that bringing those memories back to the surface would exacerbate the situation.
But let’s face it, you have already been through the worst of it and come out on the other side. Now, all you have to do is get your brain and body on the same page. This will help to stop triggers due to past traumatic events. Moreover, it will help to feel more safe and confident in your life and relationships.
