Trauma isn’t always what it appears to be.
Sometimes it is plain to see. A serious accident, an assault, the sudden loss of a loved one or some other frightening event may leave a person shaken long after the event itself is over.
But trauma can be a lot more subtle as well.
You may be managing work, caring for your family and staying up with the day to day, and yet feeling anxious, disconnected, easily overwhelmed or uneasy in situations that remind you of something in the past.
Why am I experiencing this? You may wonder.
If that sounds like you, talking to an EMDR therapist in Adelaide could be an option worth exploring. Some individuals find EMDR useful for helping them process disturbing memories and experiences in a structured therapeutic setting.
At Adelaide Hills Psychotherapy Services, we are interested in the person behind the experience and in providing support that is tailored to the needs of the individual.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing is a structured form of psychotherapy usually employed when there are ongoing emotional consequences from traumatic or distressing experiences.
You might have heard of EMDR, which has something to do with eye movements. Guided eye movements are one aspect of the therapy, but not the sole aspect. While undergoing EMDR, you will learn about your history, prepare for treatment, identify memories and the beliefs you associate with them, and process distressing experiences with the help of a therapist.
The point is not to erase a memory.
What happened to you is part of your story. The aim is to help you process the experience, so that remembering it does not cause the same level of emotional distress.
How Does Trauma Continue to Impact You?
Guided eye movements during an EMDR therapy session.
One of the confusing things about trauma is that you can know something is over and still feel like it’s happening.
For example, a person who was in a car accident may know that they are safe when they drive today, but their heart may still race when they get close to a certain intersection.
If you’ve been in a bad relationship you may know that it’s over but still have a hard time trusting people.
Sometimes a smell, sound, place or conversation can bring up a memory that can be too much for someone to handle.
These reactions don’t mean you are weak, or that you can’t move forward. They can be ways your mind and body have learned to respond to difficult experiences.
When to see EMDR Therapist?
You don’t have to wait for life to become unmanageable before reaching out for help.
If you notice that a past experience is impacting your life in any of the following ways, it may be worth speaking to a therapist:
- Repeated upsetting memories
- Nightmares or sleep interference
- Feeling on edge or on the alert
- Avoiding specific people, places or situations
- Intense responses to past reminders
- Struggles with trusting others
- Feeling emotionally flat or disconnected
- Anxiety that persists after a difficult experience
- Difficulty concentrating or relaxing
- Changes in relationships or activities of daily living
Not everyone who goes through these struggles has PTSD, and not everyone needs EMDR. A good therapist can help you understand what may be going on and discuss appropriate options.
What does EMDR do for hard memories?
It’s one of the questions people ask most often.
If something frightening or overwhelming happens the memory may be linked to strong emotions, physical sensations, beliefs, or reactions.
You may not imagine the event each day, but an incident can bring back the same anxiety, anger, despair or sense of risk.
EMDR offers a structured method of processing these memories.
During the processing phase, your therapist may ask you to focus on parts of a disturbing memory while applying some form of bilateral stimulation, such as following guided eye movements. You are aware of what is happening, and your therapist guides you through it.
With time, the memory may become easier to think about without the same overwhelming response.
What to Expect on Your First Visit
If you have never been in therapy before you may not know what to expect.
Your first appointment is usually about getting to know you and why you have come to have support. We can talk about what’s been going on and how it’s affecting your life and what you would like to change.
You won’t necessarily be asked to describe the worst thing you’ve ever experienced straight away.
Your therapist may first explain how EMDR works and help you develop tools to manage difficult emotions. This preparation can be an important part of feeling comfortable with the process.
A good therapy experience should be a collaborative experience. You should be given an opportunity to ask questions and understand why a particular approach is being recommended.
What if the trauma happened years ago?
A supportive therapy session focused on understanding and emotional wellbeing.
It’s a common assumption, ” I should be done with this by now.”
But there is no timetable for recovery.
What happened to you in childhood, a prior relationship, an accident, an incident at work or another hard time can still impact what you feel years later.
Sometimes people cope for a long time and then notice that their symptoms become more apparent following another stressful event.
That doesn’t mean you haven’t dealt.
It may just be something unresolved screaming for attention.
In talking with an EMDR therapist, you can explore whether those earlier experiences are still influencing your life today.
EMDR is not only good for PTSD.
EMDR is most well-known for treating trauma and PTSD, but therapy doesn’t always have to be limited to those with a formal PTSD diagnosis.
There are many reasons people seek professional help. You could be dealing with a painful memory, anxiety over something that occurred previously, or emotional responses you don’t understand.
But EMDR is not automatically a suitable therapy for everyone.
When giving advice on an approach a therapist should take into account your situation, history, current difficulties and goals. In some cases, another type of psychotherapy may be more appropriate.
The important thing is to find a treatment that suits the person, not to make the person fit the treatment.
How to Find an EMDR Therapist in Adelaide
The right therapist can make a difference in how comfortable you are with the process.
Qualifications and proper training are important, but so is the relationship you build with your therapist. You should feel free to discuss your concerns and feel listened to and respected.
At Adelaide Hills Psychotherapy Services, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy.
We discuss therapeutic options with regards to your experiences, concerns and goals. Where appropriate EMDR may be part of your treatment along with other suitable approaches.
The goal is to create a place where you can process hard stuff without the pressure of judgement or time.
What does it really mean to recover from trauma?
Healing is not forgetting.
It doesn’t mean you won’t ever think about what happened again.
For many, healing means arriving at a place where the past no longer holds the same power over the present.
It might mean to drive post-accident without the same fear. Being in a relationship without always expecting to be hurt. Sleep more peacefully. Or even just being able to hold something hard in your head without feeling totally overwhelmed.
Your way of recovery could be different.
The important thing is to understand what you have been through and to find ways to live with more freedom and confidence.
Take Your Time with the First Step
Choosing to go to therapy can be uncomfortable, especially if you’ve been handling things on your own for a long time.
You don’t need to be sure what you want to make an appointment.
A first conversation can be an opportunity to explain what has been happening and ask questions about your options.
If you are struggling with trauma, anxiety or difficult memories that affect your day to day life, an EMDR therapist in Adelaide may be able to help you find out if EMDR is right for your situation.
At Adelaide Hills Psychotherapy Services, we put an emphasis on providing compassionate, individualised support and assisting you in moving toward improved emotional health at a pace that feels manageable.
Common Questions
1. Is EMDR for everyone?
No. EMDR can be very helpful for many people struggling with trauma-related issues but it’s not necessarily the right approach for everyone. A therapist can work through your situation and give you some options.
2. Do I need to have a diagnosis of PTSD before trying EMDR?
Nope. You don’t have to have a formal diagnosis of PTSD to seek help from a professional for upsetting memories, anxiety, or hard experiences. A therapist can help you process your worries.
3. Do I need to share the details of my trauma?
Not necessarily. Your therapist can explain the process and work at a pace that feels manageable to you. You’re welcome to ask questions and discuss any concerns you have.
4. Duration of EMDR Treatment
There is no magic number of sessions. How long therapy lasts depends on your situation, what you are working on, your goals and your progress.
5. Can EMDR help with trauma from long ago?
“Yes. Just because something happened years ago doesn’t mean it can’t still affect you. If an old experience is still affecting how you feel or how you live your life day to day, then it might be worth getting some professional help.”
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