EMDR Therapy
Difficult or traumatic experiences can continue to affect how you think, feel, and respond long after the experience itself has ended. Certain memories, situations, or reminders may trigger anxiety, distress, or reactions that feel difficult to control.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach designed to help people process distressing experiences and reduce the emotional impact they continue to have.
Avenues of Counseling and Mediation offers EMDR therapy at our Akron and Medina, Ohio counseling offices. Our intake team can help connect you with a clinician who is trained in EMDR and whose experience and availability fit your needs.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a structured psychotherapy approach originally developed to treat trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Unlike some forms of therapy that rely primarily on talking in detail about difficult experiences, EMDR uses a structured process to help the brain reprocess distressing memories and the thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations associated with them.
During portions of EMDR treatment, your therapist may use bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or other forms of alternating stimulation, while you focus on aspects of a distressing memory or experience.
How Does EMDR Work?
When an experience is overwhelming or traumatic, memories of that experience may continue to trigger strong emotional or physical responses even when you are no longer in danger.
EMDR therapy is designed to help the brain process these experiences so that memories can become less emotionally distressing and less disruptive to everyday life.
EMDR follows a structured treatment process that includes learning about your history and symptoms, preparing for memory processing, identifying experiences to work on, and using bilateral stimulation as part of reprocessing those experiences.
What Can EMDR Therapy Help With?
EMDR is best known for its use in treating trauma and PTSD, but clinicians may use EMDR as part of treatment for other concerns when it is clinically appropriate.
Depending on your individual needs, EMDR may be used to address concerns related to:
Trauma and PTSD
Distressing or painful memories
Childhood trauma
Abuse or neglect
Accidents or frightening experiences
Grief and loss
Anxiety related to past experiences
Negative beliefs connected to difficult experiences
Experiences that continue to trigger strong emotional reactions
Your therapist can help determine whether EMDR is appropriate for your concerns and treatment goals.
EMDR for Trauma & PTSD
Trauma can affect people in many different ways. Some individuals experience intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance, anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, or strong reactions to reminders of what happened.
Others may not identify a single traumatic event but recognize that difficult experiences from earlier in life continue to influence their relationships, emotions, beliefs, or responses today.
EMDR can provide a structured way of addressing these experiences without requiring you to simply “get over” what happened or repeatedly retell every detail of an experience.
What Happens During EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is more than the eye movements commonly associated with the treatment. It is a structured, multi-phase therapy process.
Your therapist will first learn about your history, current concerns, and treatment goals. Preparation is also an important part of EMDR and may include developing strategies for managing difficult emotions or reactions that could arise during treatment.
When you and your therapist determine that you are ready for reprocessing, you may be asked to focus on aspects of a particular memory while participating in bilateral stimulation.
Your therapist will guide you through the process and monitor how you are responding throughout the session.
Is EMDR Right for Me?
EMDR can be an effective treatment option for many people, but it isn't necessarily the right approach for every person or every concern.
Your therapist will consider your symptoms, history, current circumstances, treatment goals, and readiness before determining whether EMDR may be appropriate. Some clients use EMDR as their primary treatment approach, while others incorporate it into a broader course of therapy.
You do not need to know whether EMDR is right for you before contacting us. Our intake team can help connect you with an EMDR-trained therapist who can discuss your concerns and treatment options with you.
EMDR Therapy in Akron & Medina, Ohio
Avenues of Counseling and Mediation has clinicians trained in EMDR at both our Akron and Medina counseling offices.
Clinicians with a specialty in EMDR
EMDR Therapy in Akron, Ohio
Our Akron counseling team includes clinicians who incorporate EMDR into treatment for trauma, PTSD, and other appropriate mental health concerns.
View Counseling Services in Akron
EMDR Therapy in Medina, Ohio
EMDR therapy is also available at our Medina counseling office. Availability varies by clinician.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR
Is EMDR only for PTSD?
EMDR is strongly associated with the treatment of PTSD and trauma. Clinicians may also incorporate EMDR into treatment for other concerns when appropriate based on an individual's symptoms, experiences, and treatment goals.
Do I have to talk about every detail of my trauma?
EMDR does not necessarily require you to describe every detail of a traumatic experience aloud. Your therapist will explain what information is needed and help you understand the process before beginning reprocessing work.
Is EMDR just eye movement?
No. Eye movements are one possible form of bilateral stimulation used during portions of EMDR treatment. EMDR itself is a structured psychotherapy approach involving multiple phases, including assessment, preparation, reprocessing, and evaluation.
How many EMDR sessions will I need?
There isn't one standard number of sessions that is appropriate for everyone. Treatment length can depend on your history, symptoms, treatment goals, the experiences being addressed, and other individual factors.
Learn More About EMDR
Want to better understand EMDR and how it may help with trauma and distressing experiences? Explore our educational resources:
EMDR: How The Heck Can Eye Movement Help Trauma?
Interested in EMDR Therapy?
If trauma, distressing memories, or past experiences are affecting your emotional well-being or everyday life, our intake team can help you explore whether EMDR may be an appropriate treatment option.
Contact Avenues of Counseling and Mediation to learn about EMDR therapist availability in Akron or Medina and find a clinician who fits your needs.