Maybe it's snakes. Or flying. Or needles. Or public speaking. Or getting sick. No matter the specifics, 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.

Our intense reactions often stem from past experiences that have been stored in the brain in a way that triggers a powerful fear response. Others come hard-wired. No matter the origin, EMDR therapy can help. EMDR is a research-proven treatment that helps people overcome phobias and fears by reprocessing distressing memories or associations. When successful, it cuts the connection between the scary thing and your body's physical response to it.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy is a proven therapy initially developed to help people with PTSD. It works by helping the brain reprocess traumatic memories and reduce the emotional charge they carry. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR therapy doesn’t require you to share detail about your experiences. Instead, it uses bilateral stimulation (side to side movement) to activate the brain's natural healing process. This helps the brain reprocess traumatic or distressing memories, allowing them to be stored like most of your other memories.

We know it sounds crazy. Side to side movement heals trauma? Yeah, sure.. But we've seen it work far too often to be skeptical anymore. (It's fine if you are, though)

How Does EMDR Help with Phobias and Fears?

Phobias often develop due to a specific incident or series of incidents that the brain associates with danger. It doesn't matter if that danger isn't rational. Someone with a fear of flying may have experienced a turbulent flight, which the brain has stored as a highly distressing memory. When thinking about flying, the brain triggers a fear response to protect from perceived danger. EMDR helps to address these responses by reprocessing the original memory.

Identifying and Targeting Specific Triggers

The first step in using EMDR for phobias is identifying the specific triggers associated with the fear. Don't worry, your EMDR therapist will help with this. In fact, don't try to do it yourself.

If someone has a fear of public speaking, EMDR therapy would help identify any past experiences, such as a bad public speaking experience or criticism from peers, that may contribute to the current fear. By pinpointing these memories, EMDR can target and reprocess them.

Desensitizing the Fear Response

Your EMDR therapist will guide you to recall the distressing trigger while engaging in bilateral stimulation. This desensitizes the fear response, reducing the intensity. Over time, the distress linked to the memory diminishes, allowing you to approach the feared situation without getting overwhelmed.

Reprocessing and Reframing the Experience

As the trigger or memory is reprocessed, you begin to see the trigger from a more adaptive perspective. Someone with a fear of driving may reprocess a memory of a car accident and start to view it as a past event that no longer poses a threat. This mental shift reduces the emotional charge of the memory, making it less likely to trigger a fear response in the future.

Examples of Phobias Treated with EMDR

EMDR For Fear of Flying

Many people with a fear of flying have experienced a specific incident, such as severe turbulence, that caused intense fear. It can also come hard-wired as a fear of not being in control. For others, it may be a trauma response to 9/11. EMDR helps to reprocess these memories or triggers, reducing the anxiety associated with flying. We've seen some people who used to be fearful of flying get confidently on a plane after about ten sessions.

EMDR For Fear of Heights

People with a fear of heights may have experienced a traumatic event involving falling or being in a precarious position. It can also be genetic. EMDR targets thes physical experience of the fear, helping to desensitize the response and making it possible for you to feel more at ease in high places.

EMDR For Fear of Public Speaking

Fear of public speaking is one of the most common fears. It often stems from past experiences of embarrassment, ridicule, or criticism. EMDR helps reprocess these memories, reducing the anxiety and fear of being judged or making mistakes in front of others. After EMDR for fear of public speaking, many people are able to speak confidently in public.

EMDR For Fear of Needles

Listen, needles aren't supposed to be in our skin. Sometimes they hurt. The fear makes sense! But we also need to be able to get immunizations and have blood drawn for medical tests without getting totally overwhelmed. With EMDR, that's possible. We're not saying you'll be happy to be a human pin cushion, but you can stop sweating your annual flu shot.

Why Choose EMDR for Phobias and Fears?

EMDR therapy offers several advantages for treating phobias and fears:

• Faster Relief. EMDR can lead to quicker relief from phobia-related anxiety compared to traditional talk therapy. It does sometimes still take time. Unfortunately there's no magic bullet. For simple, straight-forward phobias, you might see results in as little as eight sessions.

• Non-Invasive. EMDR does not require medication or extensive exposure to feared situations. Instead, it focuses on reprocessing memories and altering emotional responses.

• Effective for a Range of Phobias. EMDR has been shown to be effective for various phobias, from specific fears like flying and heights to social anxieties such as public speaking.

EMDR For Phobias In California

Living with phobias and fears can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to define your life. EMDR therapy offers a powerful, evidence-based approach to help you overcome the fears that hold you back. By working with a trained EMDR therapist, you can begin to desensitize your fear responses and take steps towards conquering what scares you.

If you're ready to take the first step in overcoming your fears, book a consultation to see how EMDR can help you regain control.