You may be wondering, is EMDR therapy provided virtually the same as EMDR therapy that is provided in person? The short answer is, YES!
Studies show therapeutic outcomes remain the same, no matter if you drive to an office or log onto your computer. No matter where you meet, your EMDR-trained therapist makes the same effort to help you feel safe, and secure, and protect your privacy.
The only difference you may notice is that you are interacting over a secure video conferencing system in the comfort of your own home vs. your therapist’s office. We all have preferences for how we like to receive care but know that EMDR provided in a virtual therapeutic setting has the same empirically supported outcomes and treatment success just as it has in office over the past 30+ years.
Traumatic memories can be triggered
To recap, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a therapeutic technique originally developed to treat PTSD and trauma. It has been shown to also effectively treat eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. The purpose of doing EMDR is to accelerate progress or get “unstuck” when other treatment modalities do not seem to be working for you. EMDR is designed to protect clients from retraumatization because you will not reiterate the details of the trauma. Instead, it helps you to remember the event or events without the strong emotional charge it once had.
We know that when a person experiences an overwhelming event the brain does not process properly. The memory can become fragmented and distorted. This is a function of your mind attempting to protect you from mental anguish, however, a negative consequence is the traumatic memory can be triggered without notice and cause ongoing emotional distress and disruptions in your life. Eating disorder behaviors often begin as a way to avoid or numb oneself to unwanted thoughts and feelings associated with past trauma and painful memories. After a time, disordered eating behaviors can become a ritual that is hard to change, and before you know it the eating disorder becomes a default way of being and you find yourself stuck.
What to expect
EMDR utilizes the natural process of the body through eye movement. Just like the eye movements that occur during REM sleep, EMDR uses bilateral motion to stimulate both hemispheres of the brain to create new neural connections. Your therapist may use hand movements or a light bar device and instruct you to visually follow the movements to create the necessary bilateral stimulation. This would be the same process if you were in-office or in virtual therapy. EMDR does not bring up all the details of the trauma but rather, you and your therapist will set up a guided learning state that allows these experiences to be stored appropriately in your brain
An advantage of using EMDR virtually is that feeling secure in your space is vital to beginning the process. Many clients feel most safe and secure in their own homes. If you are feeling stuck with disordered eating, virtual EMDR therapy may be right for you.
Kindful Body has several therapists trained to provide EMDR in Orange County, CA for your unique needs.
Are you struggling with an eating disorder, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or past traumas? EMDR therapy can help. Experience the transformative power of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing from the comfort of your own home. Our team can help you via online therapy, making treatment easily accessible for you. With the support and guidance of our team at Kindful Body, you will improve your well-being and mental health. Take the first step towards healing by following these steps:
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Connect with one of our clinicians today by calling our texting (415)323-6755.
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Meet with a caring therapist or dietitian
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Start receiving support from where is most convenient for you!
Other Services Offered With Kindful Body
Our team understands you may experience more than one mental health concern at a time. This is why we offer multiple mental health services in addition to EMDR treatment. We are happy to also offer support for low self-esteem issues, anxiety treatment, and body image. We also offer trauma therapy and grief counseling. When you’re ready, we are here to help you with your eating disorder recovery. We also offer eating disorder treatment in Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland/Berkeley, Walnut Creek, San Mateo, Orange County, CA, or anywhere online in California. Learn more about us by checking out our blog and FAQs page!
