EMDR Therapy
Are you struggling with trauma and unsure what type of therapy can actually help you recover and move forward in your life?
You Don't Have to Continue Feeling Stuck
Traumatic experiences can have a deep and lasting impact on your mental health throughout your life. This includes ‘big T’ traumas – often associated with violence or disasters – as well as ‘little T’ traumas, which can be any event or series of events that caused significant distress and impact on your life or who you are. Experiencing trauma affects your sense of self, how you interact with others, the way you approach challenges, your physical and mental well-being, and more.
It can feel difficult or even impossible to heal from trauma. You may feel stuck, like you’re unable to process what has happened to you or move forward in your life. This is because your brain switches into ‘survival mode’ during the trauma, which disrupts the brain’s normal information- and memory-processing system. The memories then stay unprocessed and ‘stuck,’ causing them to remain emotionally charged in a way that is different from other memories that are fully integrated into your memory system. Which leads you to feeling stuck in that same moment, unable to process the trauma and move forward from its impacts.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Our brains have a natural healing mechanism that works to help us process our memories and experiences as we go through life. However, sometimes the brain gets ‘stuck’ and unable to complete that process after suffering trauma or series of traumas. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, sounds, and tactile sensations to activate this healing system in order to integrate isolated traumatic memories into our adaptive memory networks. EMDR can be used to process both single-event traumas, big or small, as well as complex or ongoing traumatic experiences.
Applications for EMDR Therapy
EMDR can be used to treat PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), panic attacks, phobias, depression, anxiety, grief, and loss, self-esteem and self-worth, negative beliefs and thought patterns, as well as other emotional challenges. In addition to processing trauma, EMDR can also help you develop adaptive coping skills, such as grounding, resources, coping ahead, and developing positive beliefs about yourself.
EMDR can be particularly advantageous if you are already engaged in other modalities of 'traditional talk therapy,' like CBT, DBT, IFS, or ACT. If you are in DC or Virginia and working on your self-esteem in individual therapy but wish to address a specific trauma, experience, or belief that remains ‘stuck’, EMDR therapy in Washington, DC, and Virginia can serve as an excellent supplemental tool.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR is a step-by-step therapy that allows us to process traumatic memories safely. EMDR uses ‘bilateral stimulation,’ visual, auditory, and tactile side-to-side movements. This bilateral stimulation allows our brains to re-experience the memory while reducing the emotional charge and other averse trauma responses. Otherwise known as reprocessing, it helps to reduce the distress and triggers related to a traumatic experience.
The goal of EMDR treatment is for the trauma and related trauma responses to gradually become less emotionally charged and impactful on your life. By providing you with tools and insight, you will become more able to integrate the memory in all stages: past, present & future. EMDR can help to reduce intrusive thoughts and flashbacks, as well as create a healthier relationship with the past.
How Can EMDR Therapy Be Beneficial?
EMDR is primarily known and used to address trauma, but it can also be effective in treating anxiety, depression, grief, negative beliefs, and thought patterns, as well as phobias. By targeting memories, thoughts, and beliefs that are causing distress, EMDR can help heal the root of the problem, rather than just treating the symptoms. This allows for lasting change in how we perceive and react to our environment.
Other ways EMDR can help include:
Facilitating insight and understanding of the cause of present distress.
Enhancing a sense of control over emotions and reactions.
Increasing self-acceptance and fostering a positive attitude towards oneself.
Developing new, healthier coping strategies for the future.
Reprocessing memories that may have been previously overwhelming to manage.
At The Sterling Group, we understand that healing from trauma is a daunting and difficult journey. Count on us for unwavering support and guidance as you make strides in processing the past and stepping into your future. Whether you're a first-time therapy seeker or have been on a healing path for a while, our experienced and compassionate EMDR therapists are here to assist you every step of the way!
The Sterling Group's Approach to EMDR Therapy
At The Sterling Group, our team of therapists get what you’re going through and have been where you are. We understand today's unique demands and pressures of being a young adult, and we are here to support you through the healing process. Our expertise is in helping you get unstuck and helping you process the trauma of the past in order to create a more balanced, fulfilling life.
At our Washington DC practice, and online in Virginia, we will help you identify traumatic memories, target associated emotions, beliefs, and sensations, and reprocess them in a safe, adaptive way. We are here to empower you to take control and move forward with your life. We help our clients by providing both virtual and in-person EMDR so that you can choose the best setting for your individual needs.
How EMDR Therapy Can Help You Move Forward
Our skilled EMDR therapists want to support you in moving forward in life. EMDR can help you reprocess and heal from trauma, allowing you to gain insight, better understand past memories and experiences, and develop new positive beliefs about yourself. You will develop skills to build self-acceptance, gain control of your emotions and reactions, and cope with challenging situations.
We understand the importance of finding a safe space where you can heal. Our team is dedicated to supporting you on your journey as you work towards improved mental health and well-being. If your sole therapy focus is not on processing trauma, EMDR therapy in Washington, DC, and online in Virginia can still be an excellent supplemental therapy. As an example, even couples in couples therapy have benefited from one or both partners working with our EMDR therapists. Partners can process their “stuck points” in individual EMDR sessions, allowing for the couple to move forward in the relationship.
Begin EMDR Therapy in Washington, DC, and Online in Virginia
Are you ready to embark on a transformative healing journey? Our compassionate EMDR therapists understand that overcoming trauma can feel overwhelming, but rest assured, we're here to walk alongside you throughout the process. Together, we'll create a personalized plan with practical steps and interventions customized to your specific goals and needs. Let's take that initial stride toward healing together with EMDR.
Schedule a consultation with us using our contact form.
Meet with one of our EMDR therapists.
Release Yourself from Feeling Stuck and Move Forward with EMDR Therapy
Other Therapy Services at The Sterling Group
At our Washington DC-based therapy practice, we understand that trauma often manifests in various aspects of your life. With EMDR therapy, we can address these underlying issues and provide the help you need. However, there may be other areas of your life that need attention. That’s why we offer a multitude of services to support you. Our individual services include therapy for relationship challenges, therapy for developing identities and self-esteem, depression treatment, therapy for stress & anxiety, as well as executive function support. We also offer couples therapy for those that are looking to grow in their relationships. We would love to chat with you today about the ways we can support your growth at our counseling practice serving the Washington, DC area and Online in Virginia!