EMDR Therapists Offer an Alternative Treatment
“Whether problems are a source of suffering or a source of growth depends entirely on our attitude, both to the problem and to ourselves”
-Richard G. Carston
I read this quote recently and it struck a chord in me. Both the simplicity and the veracity that our perceptions color ideas of self and the world ring true. This simple truth led me to ask what do we do when our attitudes are tinged with guilt, shame, fear, and negative beliefs about oneself and how do we begin to break free from painful memories that seem to permeate our deepest beliefs but manifest in our physical self as well?
Wanting answers to these questions led me to seek training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Experiences in life, especially traumatic ones, inform our reality and block the natural healing process. This means that daily experiences, though mundane, can trigger the memory of past trauma causing one to feel the negative mental and physical sensations in the present. EMDR therapists recognize the connection between trauma, the negative and self-limiting beliefs resulting from the negative event, and the ongoing emotional and physiological suffering. The goal of EMDR is to release these memories that are stuck in the nervous system by challenging the negative and self-limiting beliefs causing distress, and naturally replace them with more adaptive and empowering beliefs.
In my experience, EMDR is not a magic cure. It does, however; provide skills one can use daily to self-regulate stress, fear, anxiety, and worry. It also reduces the distress caused by the negative beliefs (I’m not good enough, I’m not loved, I’m worthless, I’m responsible) and then provides a path for letting go of painful memories. This process, when practiced with trained EMDR therapists, provides hope.
Hope is an important factor in changing your attitude and believing that you can heal. Hope comes in the form of new insight and perspectives on the past as well as seeing yourself as resilient. In the process of healing, the negative influence the past has on the present often fades allowing new resources, perspectives, and more realistic and empowering beliefs to emerge. EMDR therapists are trained to work with the client to heal these past negative influences through an innovative process.
Though EMDR is not for everyone, it certainly helps you gain insight into core self-limiting beliefs that inform how we feel and behave in the world. This change in perspective guides onward on the health journey.
As one of the trained EMDR therapists in Boca Raton, I provide access to this type of treatment if it is appropriate for clients. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional helping people to heal from traumatic and painful events. EMDR has proven effective in alleviating symptoms associated with PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief and many other issues that keep you stuck in old behavioral patterns that no longer serve you. Many have found that it opens the door to hope in the form of new insights as well as deepening understanding of their own resilience. It allows for new resources, perspectives, as well as for more realistic and empowering beliefs to emerge that lead to healing.
If you are interested in learning more about EMDR therapy contact Jody Morgan, LCSW at 561-366-2476 or visit https://morgancounseling.net.
