EMDR therapy Austin Texas
Sexual assault leaves deep scars — often invisible to everyone else but never to the victim, who’s constantly aware of the gaping hole in her safe space.
Once the forbidden memory pops up, everything else goes blank. It doesn’t matter that the vehicle’s moving at 85 mph on Highway 130.
The memory after a sexual assault, for a woman, is ever disturbing. It’s crippling, in fact. If you’re a woman living in Austin, Texas, and these words feel uncomfortably familiar to you, you’re experiencing trauma — and you need to heal.
Of the many ways, one really stands out. It stands out because its ability to speed up trauma recovery in cases like this is virtually unmatched.
That way is called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. It’s a therapy technique purpose-built for trauma cases.
How does EMDR work
“Bilateral stimulation” is the core of EMDR’s approach. There are several ways to activate bilateral stimulation, but eye movements are the most popular.
During an EMDR session, the therapist guides the client to shift their eyes from side to side—a process that is a bit like hypnosis but also very different.
The goal of moving the eyes is to activate both sides of the brain as you remember the sexual assault. But, rather than be overwhelmed by the trauma, the two sides of your brain communicate better, working to integrate the memory in a less distressing way.
These eye movements reduce the emotional intensity of the memory so you can remember the assault without feeling intense distress. This explains the reprocessing and desensitization bit.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR taps into your brain’s natural healing processes. It helps you process traumatic memories without reliving the intense emotions.
Think of it as a gentle nudge rather than the immense emotional waves that come with traditional talk therapy. Unlike conventional therapy, EMDR does not require you to talk deeply about traumatic experiences. EMDR’s style is more sensory and emotion-based. A measured path, really.
As you’d expect, more women find it less overwhelming than other therapies. There’s just something about letting your brain do all the work through guided instructions.
Talk therapy wants the therapist to trigger healing and remain active throughout the process. EMDR therapy wants your body and brain to heal themselves while the therapist plays the role of guardian.
Why EMDR therapy might be a better treatment option
If you’ve been a victim of sexual assault and are struggling to overcome the pain of this traumatic memory, I think you should consider EMDR therapy.
It’s got several significant benefits:
Works for trauma
EMDR is very effective for treating trauma and PTSD. Its ability to facilitate memory reprocessing works well to absorb negative emotional impact.
Doesn’t require as much talk
There are many reasons why anyone hates to talk about a traumatic experience in detail. EMDR gets that in ways that traditional talk therapy doesn’t.
Structured process
EMDR has a strategy that works. It follows a structured eight-phase approach:
- History taking and treatment planning
- Preparation
- Assessment
- Desensitization
- Installation
- Body scan
- Closure
- Reevaluation
Faster results
Although this isn’t always guaranteed, more people experience pacier results with EMDR compared to other therapy techniques.
Virtual EMDR Austin
The experience of a sexual assault is horrid, to say the least. Many survivors feel isolated and often quit social interactions altogether. Others are unfairly blamed and have to carry the stigma like a sign on the forehead.
Not to mention the insomnia, chronic pain, and a dozen other uncomfortable physical sensations.
You, or anyone else for that matter, shouldn’t have to go through pain like that for a second longer than you need to.
Of all the therapy techniques, I truly believe EMDR therapy is best positioned to help your body and mind heal fast. It’s an effective tool for teaching your body to release the pain.
If the thought of using EMDR inspires hope in you, reach out to me for a free consultation. I am a licensed EMDR therapist with years of experience using this technique.
On a final note, I want you always to remember that healing is possible. EMDR is an effective path to making recovery possible for you.
