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How EMDR Therapy Can Prevent PTSD (Rather Than Treat It)
Something happened. Maybe it was a car accident. A medical emergency. A sudden breakup. A traumatic birth. A natural disaster.
You keep thinking about it.
Your body feels jumpy. You’re not sleeping well. You replay certain moments. Loud sounds feel louder. Your nervous system feels… off.
And you might be wondering: Do I just wait this out? Or is there something I can do now?
There is.
EMDR therapy, when used early and strategically, can help prevent acute stress from becoming long-term PTSD.
Does EMDR Therapy Work for Everyone?
EMDR therapy is often described as transformative. And for many people, it is. It’s gained a solid reputation for helping with trauma, anxiety, and distressing memories. But you might be wondering: Does EMDR therapy work for everyone?
EMDR Therapy for Trauma: Why the Body Holds More Than the Mind
You understand what happened. You can tell the story clearly. You know it was not your fault. You’ve read the books. You’ve done the insight work.
And yet.
You still have reactions that don’t fit the situation you’re in. Logically, you know you are safe. Your body does not.
This is one of the most confusing parts of trauma: the mind can move forward while the body remains vigilant. And this is why EMDR therapy can be so powerful.
What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Medical Trauma And How EMDR Therapy Can Help
When we hear the word "trauma," we often think of acute events: car accidents, assaults, natural disasters. But trauma also happens in examination rooms, hospital beds, and waiting areas. It happens quietly, often without language to name it. Medical trauma is real, complex, and far more common than we talk about.
Am I Doing EMDR Therapy Wrong?
If you’ve ever sat in an EMDR therapy session wondering, “Am I doing this right?” you’re in good company. This is one of the most common concerns people bring up, especially early on in the therapy process.
What Else Can EMDR Therapy Be Used For Besides Trauma?
When most people hear about EMDR therapy, they think of trauma recovery, and for good reason. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) was originally developed to treat PTSD and has decades of research supporting its effectiveness in healing trauma. But that’s not all EMDR can do.
Why EMDR Therapy Works So Well for Teenagers
We’ve seen something remarkable in our work offering therapy for teenagers: many of them respond to EMDR therapy incredibly quickly. We call clients whose brains seem to rapidly make sense of and heal from difficult experiences during EMDR therapy "super-processors." And teens seem to do this at higher rates than older therapy-goers.
Do You Have to Process Every Trauma in Your Life with EMDR Therapy To Feel Better?
Most trauma isn't simple. We often experience a series of related traumas, or experiences that are thematically linked. These themes may be loss, death, abandonment, or something more nuanced like realizing the adults taking care of you were not doing a good enough job. These themes create complex trauma networks. When considering EMDR therapy, clients often wonder if they need to process every traumatic event in their life with EMDR to feel better. The answer is simple: no, you don’t have to process everything. Here's why.
Does EMDR Therapy Work For Complex Trauma?
Complex trauma is pervasive and requires a skilled therapist to heal. From attachment wounds to emotional reactivity to nervous system dysregulation, it's a tough lot. EMDR therapy has proven time and again to be effective for trauma, but most research has explored how it works for single incident traumas. So does it work when the trauma is complex?
What We Want Everyone To Know About EMDR Therapy
It's easy for us to be enthusiastic about EMDR therapy. As a staff, we have over 10 years of experience using it, and we see radical transformations every day. But what might seem second-nature to us often isn't to our clients. Here's what you should know about EMDR therapy if you're considering it.
Will EMDR Therapy Be Too Intense for Me?
EMDR therapy should be adapted to fit your comfort level. A skilled EMDR therapist will always prioritize your safety and well-being. Here’s how EMDR therapy can be made manageable and safe, even if you’re feeling apprehensive.
Your Brain On EMDR Therapy: Tapping Into Your Own Natural Healing Power
Our brains have an inherent ability to heal themselves. But after experiencing trauma, they sometimes need a little extra help to get back to “normal.” For trauma, this is where EMDR therapy comes in. EMDR is a powerful, non-invasive, and drug-free method that supports the brain's natural healing process.
Does EMDR Therapy Look the Same for Everyone?
EMDR therapy is a powerful and effective method for treating trauma and other mental health issues. But some people are concerned that it might be too rigid or impersonal to work for them. Does EMDR look the same for everyone? Can a structured and standardized protocol really heal our most personal traumas?
How to Identify Trauma: The Mind-Body Gap
Have you ever felt like there's a disconnect between what you logically know is true and what your body believes? This is a common experience for trauma survivors. Trauma is as diverse as the people who experience it, making a common definition difficult, but when there's an inconsistency between what you logically know is true and the signals your body is sending, that's a clue you've got trauma.
Are You Managing Your Trauma Symptoms or Healing Them?
Trauma can leave a wide array of symptoms in its wake. It's very common for people who have trauma to white-knuckle it through life, thinking this is as good as it will get. But true relief can come with healing it. It's absolutely possible; we've seen it happen hundreds of times. But what does it mean to heal trauma? And how do you know which one you're doing?
Online EMDR Therapy: How Remote Sessions Can Provide Powerful Healing
Our preferred trauma treatment, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, has proven to be just as effective online as it is in-person. It comes with some serious benefits outside of trauma treatment, too.
EMDR Therapy for Phobias: Taking the Power Out of What Scares You
Phobias and fears can seriously impact our lives. They limit our ability to enjoy activities, pursue opportunities, or feel comfortable in our surroundings. But with EMDR therapy, it doesn't have to be that way.
How to Prepare For Your First EMDR Therapy Session
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a powerful and effective treatment for processing trauma and reducing distress from traumatic memories. If you're considering any kind of trauma therapy, you probably want it to go as well as it can. Here's a guide to help you get ready.
Trauma Therapy Floatbacks: Why Your “Biggest” Trauma May Not Be Your EMDR Target
Let's explore why your biggest trauma may not be your EMDR target and how floatbacks play a crucial role in unraveling the complex web of trauma memories.
The Most Important - And Often Overlooked - Part of EMDR Therapy
If you've looked into EMDR therapy, you've likely heard about the different phases involved. Phase 2 often flies under the radar. Yet this phase lays the groundwork for effective trauma processing. In fact, we would argue it can be the most important phase. Let's explore the benefits and necessity of Phase 2, see some case examples, and potential ways to build resources.
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We offer individualized teletherapy for a wide range of mental health and relational issues. Our San Francisco & Los Angeles therapists can help with anxiety, trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, LGBT gay and lesbian therapy issues, holistic therapy, enneagram therapy, therapy for lawyers, couples therapy, therapy for burnout, and therapy for teenagers. We serve many people in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Los Angeles, as well as throughout California and Florida. Our team is anti-racist, body positive, LGBT and trans affirming and sex positive. You deserve to feel good!