EMDR Treatment Centers in Gaithersburg, MD
Successful addiction and alcoholism treatment for those unable to attend residential rehab centers. The Freedom Center is an intensive outpatient program covering all types of drug and alcohol addiction that offers a flexible and affordable solution that has the ability to change the lives of those suffering in addiction. During outpatient treatment, clients receive therapy while continuing other life responsibilities like school, work or family responsibilities; and unlike residential programs, at The Freedom House, the client has the ability to live at home or in a sober living environment. Unlike many traditional rehab centers, our goal is to treat all of the underlying causes of addiction effectively, including trauma and mental health conditions.
Successful addiction and alcoholism treatment for those unable to attend residential rehab centers. The Freedom Center is an intensive outpatient program covering all types of drug and alcohol addiction that offers a flexible and affordable solution that has the ability to change the lives of those suffering in addiction. During outpatient treatment, clients receive therapy while continuing other life responsibilities like school, work or family responsibilities; and unlike residential programs, at The Freedom House, the client has the ability to live at home or in a sober living environment. Unlike many traditional rehab centers, our goal is to treat all of the underlying causes of addiction effectively, including trauma and mental health conditions.
Second Chance Addiction Care is a boutique outpatient addiction center serving Montgomery County, Maryland, and the broader Washington, DC area. We seek to help all patients achieve and maintain healthy lives in our comfortable, safe, and therapeutic environment. Our team has decades of experience in addiction treatment and addiction medicine, including leading government addiction programs. Our professional staff also includes individuals who battled the disease of addiction and now have many years of sobriety. We offer individual and group therapy, and medication to combat addiction, cravings, and related mental disorders.
Second Chance Addiction Care is a boutique outpatient addiction center serving Montgomery County, Maryland, and the broader Washington, DC area. We seek to help all patients achieve and maintain healthy lives in our comfortable, safe, and therapeutic environment. Our team has decades of experience in addiction treatment and addiction medicine, including leading government addiction programs. Our professional staff also includes individuals who battled the disease of addiction and now have many years of sobriety. We offer individual and group therapy, and medication to combat addiction, cravings, and related mental disorders.
TruHealing Baltimore (formerly Foundations Recovery Center) is committed to helping you achieve and maintain long term recovery. We provide outpatient services in an intimate and individualized setting. Our goal is to provide healing to each individual, in a safe, secure environment. We offer a unique perspective in helping individuals heal from the disease of addiction and make a lasting recovery. Our compassionate staff understands where clients are coming from because many on our team are in recovery themselves. Thus, they see the challenges facing clients and can offer them just the right support through our partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs. Our perspectives and professional expertise paired with our comprehensive therapeutic services mean that when individuals come to us, they can heal and change their life for the better.
TruHealing Baltimore (formerly Foundations Recovery Center) is committed to helping you achieve and maintain long term recovery. We provide outpatient services in an intimate and individualized setting. Our goal is to provide healing to each individual, in a safe, secure environment. We offer a unique perspective in helping individuals heal from the disease of addiction and make a lasting recovery. Our compassionate staff understands where clients are coming from because many on our team are in recovery themselves. Thus, they see the challenges facing clients and can offer them just the right support through our partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs. Our perspectives and professional expertise paired with our comprehensive therapeutic services mean that when individuals come to us, they can heal and change their life for the better.
Sandstone Care Teen & Young Adult Treatment Center
Treatment Center
Verified Verified
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Sandstone Care provides substance use, addiction, and mental health treatment for young adults (ages 18 to 30) and adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential Treatment, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming.
Sandstone Care provides substance use, addiction, and mental health treatment for young adults (ages 18 to 30) and adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential Treatment, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming.
Sandstone Care Teen & Young Adult Treatment Center
Treatment Center
Verified Verified
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Sandstone Care provides substance use, addiction, and mental health treatment for young adults (ages 18 to 30) and adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential Treatment, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming.
Sandstone Care provides substance use, addiction, and mental health treatment for young adults (ages 18 to 30) and adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential Treatment, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming.
At Newport Academy, we know that treatment financing can make all the difference in receiving quality treatment. To that end, we promote collaborative relationships with all healthcare payers to optimize the benefit coverage for families in need. We accept all major insurance, and up to 100 percent of our services are covered. Our goal is to partner with insurers to address the adolescent and young adult mental health crisis, by reaching more families and helping them achieve sustainable recovery. If you’re interested in exploring the possibility of treatment at Newport Academy for your loved one’s mental health, behavioral health, or substance abuse issues, we can begin the insurance verification process immediately. Furthermore, we are happy to obtain your insurance policy information and seek verification on your behalf. You can also expedite this process by completing the insurance verification form on our website. There is no obligation to either Newport Academy or to your insurance provider.
At Newport Academy, we know that treatment financing can make all the difference in receiving quality treatment. To that end, we promote collaborative relationships with all healthcare payers to optimize the benefit coverage for families in need. We accept all major insurance, and up to 100 percent of our services are covered. Our goal is to partner with insurers to address the adolescent and young adult mental health crisis, by reaching more families and helping them achieve sustainable recovery. If you’re interested in exploring the possibility of treatment at Newport Academy for your loved one’s mental health, behavioral health, or substance abuse issues, we can begin the insurance verification process immediately. Furthermore, we are happy to obtain your insurance policy information and seek verification on your behalf. You can also expedite this process by completing the insurance verification form on our website. There is no obligation to either Newport Academy or to your insurance provider.
Avenues Recovery Center at Prince Frederick
Treatment Center
Verified Verified
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Avenues Recovery Center at Prince Frederick is a 48-bed residential facility which offers drug and alcohol detox and inpatient rehabilitation services. Newly remodeled, fresh and inviting, our expansive building brings all services under one roof and gives clients a five-star experience as they begin their recovery. Our unparalleled medical and clinical team are on call 24/7 to respond to every need, and consistently provide care in the most dignified and compassionate manner possible. The atmosphere – created by staff and clients alike – is one of acceptance, hope, and healing, and contributes greatly to each client’s recovery.
Avenues Recovery Center at Prince Frederick is a 48-bed residential facility which offers drug and alcohol detox and inpatient rehabilitation services. Newly remodeled, fresh and inviting, our expansive building brings all services under one roof and gives clients a five-star experience as they begin their recovery. Our unparalleled medical and clinical team are on call 24/7 to respond to every need, and consistently provide care in the most dignified and compassionate manner possible. The atmosphere – created by staff and clients alike – is one of acceptance, hope, and healing, and contributes greatly to each client’s recovery.
Sandstone Care Teen Residential Treatment Center
Treatment Center
Verified Verified
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Sandstone Care provides substance use, addiction, and mental health treatment for adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential Treatment, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming.
Sandstone Care provides substance use, addiction, and mental health treatment for adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential Treatment, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming.
Metropolitan Counseling Associates
Treatment Center
Not Verified Not Verified
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Metropolitan Counseling Associates is an interdisciplinary practice that provides comprehensive evaluation, treatment, educational and community based services for children, adolescents, and adults. Our mission is to offer our clients access to a wide range of outstanding mental health and educational services in a single collaborative environment. What began as a shared philosophy of practice is now a thriving mental health system that has helped thousands of individuals and families heal and create sustainable change.
Metropolitan Counseling Associates is an interdisciplinary practice that provides comprehensive evaluation, treatment, educational and community based services for children, adolescents, and adults. Our mission is to offer our clients access to a wide range of outstanding mental health and educational services in a single collaborative environment. What began as a shared philosophy of practice is now a thriving mental health system that has helped thousands of individuals and families heal and create sustainable change.
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The Dorm - Young Adult IOP Treatment Community
Treatment Center, LICSW
Verified Verified
Potomac, MD 20854
The Dorm is an affirming, CARF-Accredited young adult intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) community in Washington, D.C. on a mission to help young people build a life of independence. We serve young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 with immersive day and evening services that include clinical therapies, practical skill-building and community support. We specialize in treating substance use, trauma, anxiety and depressive disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders and supporting with executive function deficits. Personalized treatment plans scale from 3-30+ hours a week following expert assessment. Comprehensive care encompasses 1:1 therapy (licensed clinicians trained in over 11 clinical modalities including DBT, CBT, EMDR and Cognitive Remediation), individualized life skills coaching, group therapy, family therapy, nutritional support with registered dietitians, academic and vocational services, a unique community clubhouse experience with social activities and events as well as holistic health and wellness services (yoga, mindfulness, physical fitness). Supportive housing opportunities and partial residential support available.
The Dorm is an affirming, CARF-Accredited young adult intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) community in Washington, D.C. on a mission to help young people build a life of independence. We serve young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 with immersive day and evening services that include clinical therapies, practical skill-building and community support. We specialize in treating substance use, trauma, anxiety and depressive disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders and supporting with executive function deficits. Personalized treatment plans scale from 3-30+ hours a week following expert assessment. Comprehensive care encompasses 1:1 therapy (licensed clinicians trained in over 11 clinical modalities including DBT, CBT, EMDR and Cognitive Remediation), individualized life skills coaching, group therapy, family therapy, nutritional support with registered dietitians, academic and vocational services, a unique community clubhouse experience with social activities and events as well as holistic health and wellness services (yoga, mindfulness, physical fitness). Supportive housing opportunities and partial residential support available.
We are psychotherapists specializing in gender, sexuality, relationships, and sex therapy. We are committed to doing effective healing work informed by social justice values. We are members of the LGBTQIA2+ community, and many of our clients are, too. A primary focus of our practice is working with clients of diverse sexual, gender, and relationship identities, including (but not limited to) people who identify as: transgender, non-binary, gender-nonconforming, intersex, lesbian, gay, pansexual, bisexual, queer, asexual, kinky, and polyamorous. We operate from an anti-white-supremacy framework and welcome people of color. We recognize that clients’ identities may not be central to the reason they seek therapy. It can help to have a therapist who “gets it” so you can focus on what brings you to therapy.
We are psychotherapists specializing in gender, sexuality, relationships, and sex therapy. We are committed to doing effective healing work informed by social justice values. We are members of the LGBTQIA2+ community, and many of our clients are, too. A primary focus of our practice is working with clients of diverse sexual, gender, and relationship identities, including (but not limited to) people who identify as: transgender, non-binary, gender-nonconforming, intersex, lesbian, gay, pansexual, bisexual, queer, asexual, kinky, and polyamorous. We operate from an anti-white-supremacy framework and welcome people of color. We recognize that clients’ identities may not be central to the reason they seek therapy. It can help to have a therapist who “gets it” so you can focus on what brings you to therapy.
Olney Counseling Center has offered comprehensive mental health care services to youth and adults of all ages. Our team of licensed, certified behavioral health therapists offer a wide array of therapies for individuals, couples, families and groups. Our services are offered at our center in Olney, Maryland. OCC prescribes to an integrative, holistic approach to behavioral health care. We strive to collaborate with our patients’ healthcare team to achieve the greatest outcomes possible. Our services are provided in a supportive, responsive and non-judgmental environment.
Olney Counseling Center has offered comprehensive mental health care services to youth and adults of all ages. Our team of licensed, certified behavioral health therapists offer a wide array of therapies for individuals, couples, families and groups. Our services are offered at our center in Olney, Maryland. OCC prescribes to an integrative, holistic approach to behavioral health care. We strive to collaborate with our patients’ healthcare team to achieve the greatest outcomes possible. Our services are provided in a supportive, responsive and non-judgmental environment.
The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Treatment Center, MS, LMHC, CAP
Verified Verified
Potomac, MD 20854
The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center is a brand new, world-class behavioral health treatment center founded by widely recognized thought-leaders in mental health and substance abuse disorders. We put those who suffer on a path to thriving in all areas of life through uniquely tailored clinical, spiritual, and psychiatric support. We are primarily focused on mental health, while also specializing in addiction treatment. Our co-founders Ben Brafman and Jaime Blaustein are regarded as thought-leaders in behavioral health; they are hands-on experts who combine clinical knowledge and practical experience. Ben Brafman was the CEO and founder of Destination Hope, a premier addiction treatment center in Florida, where he met Jaime Blaustein, an addict who attended Ben's treatment center at 21 years old. Jaime went on to recover at 24 years old, sponsor many men, receive his MBA at Duke University, and enter Wall Street as an investment banker. Our approach is passionate and authentic; our treatment design and dynamic is real and genuine, not a cookie-cutter approach. Lastly, we are small and intimate - focused on family, community, and human connection.
The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center is a brand new, world-class behavioral health treatment center founded by widely recognized thought-leaders in mental health and substance abuse disorders. We put those who suffer on a path to thriving in all areas of life through uniquely tailored clinical, spiritual, and psychiatric support. We are primarily focused on mental health, while also specializing in addiction treatment. Our co-founders Ben Brafman and Jaime Blaustein are regarded as thought-leaders in behavioral health; they are hands-on experts who combine clinical knowledge and practical experience. Ben Brafman was the CEO and founder of Destination Hope, a premier addiction treatment center in Florida, where he met Jaime Blaustein, an addict who attended Ben's treatment center at 21 years old. Jaime went on to recover at 24 years old, sponsor many men, receive his MBA at Duke University, and enter Wall Street as an investment banker. Our approach is passionate and authentic; our treatment design and dynamic is real and genuine, not a cookie-cutter approach. Lastly, we are small and intimate - focused on family, community, and human connection.
Top Rated Residential program on the East Coast! "Your life does not get better by chance... It gets better by change." Upon your arrival, you will quickly be taken to our gorgeous and welcoming facility. You will be greeted by our Intake Specialist, who will welcome you to our treatment family. Immediately you will notice how warm and caring we are, from the residential staff and therapists, and our physicians. Individual, one-on-one therapy is the cornerstone of the Tranquility Woods program. Every patient has an individual treatment plan based on clinical findings, aftercare needs, and demographic information. Clients can benefit from a minimum of 4 to 5 hours of one on one individual therapy sessions weekly. Group therapy is dynamic and fluid, and occasionally, we invite experts in addiction and behavioral health to come in and lead group classes. Our program is perfect for those seeking a smaller, intimate program and is looking for a lot of individual counseling to help manage triggers, cravings, and stressors that contribute to substance abuse.
Top Rated Residential program on the East Coast! "Your life does not get better by chance... It gets better by change." Upon your arrival, you will quickly be taken to our gorgeous and welcoming facility. You will be greeted by our Intake Specialist, who will welcome you to our treatment family. Immediately you will notice how warm and caring we are, from the residential staff and therapists, and our physicians. Individual, one-on-one therapy is the cornerstone of the Tranquility Woods program. Every patient has an individual treatment plan based on clinical findings, aftercare needs, and demographic information. Clients can benefit from a minimum of 4 to 5 hours of one on one individual therapy sessions weekly. Group therapy is dynamic and fluid, and occasionally, we invite experts in addiction and behavioral health to come in and lead group classes. Our program is perfect for those seeking a smaller, intimate program and is looking for a lot of individual counseling to help manage triggers, cravings, and stressors that contribute to substance abuse.
The Scott © is a hybrid U.S. Medical Boards Model, and has been showcased in The Hollywood Reporter & NEWSWEEK Magazine! We are the leader in discreet advanced concierge luxury rehab at home or an exclusive destination of your choice. Do you have a special request? We specialize in sophisticated concierge luxury rehab across the US, Europe, and stunning exotic destinations. You may bow-tie your treatment plans: Medical Des Concierge© Treatment Des Concierge© Treatment Home Healthcare© & Treatment Tourism© Family Des Concierge© Couples Des Concierge© Business Des Concierge©. Our elite medical-clinical multidisciplinary treatment team(s) are the top-flight pros in the industry, are board-certified, licensed, and credentialed. Our experts have invented therapies, led treatment programs, are distinguished addiction researchers, and much more! Our specialties include alcohol use disorder, prescription medication dependency, couples treatment, family treatment, pain management, dual diagnosis, depression, anxiety, brain injury, sleep disorders, gambling addiction, stress, trauma, PTSD, and beyond. Established in 2010, we are a proud Member of WAATME & The Forbes Business Council.
The Scott © is a hybrid U.S. Medical Boards Model, and has been showcased in The Hollywood Reporter & NEWSWEEK Magazine! We are the leader in discreet advanced concierge luxury rehab at home or an exclusive destination of your choice. Do you have a special request? We specialize in sophisticated concierge luxury rehab across the US, Europe, and stunning exotic destinations. You may bow-tie your treatment plans: Medical Des Concierge© Treatment Des Concierge© Treatment Home Healthcare© & Treatment Tourism© Family Des Concierge© Couples Des Concierge© Business Des Concierge©. Our elite medical-clinical multidisciplinary treatment team(s) are the top-flight pros in the industry, are board-certified, licensed, and credentialed. Our experts have invented therapies, led treatment programs, are distinguished addiction researchers, and much more! Our specialties include alcohol use disorder, prescription medication dependency, couples treatment, family treatment, pain management, dual diagnosis, depression, anxiety, brain injury, sleep disorders, gambling addiction, stress, trauma, PTSD, and beyond. Established in 2010, we are a proud Member of WAATME & The Forbes Business Council.
Sandstone Care provides substance use and co-occurring mental health treatment for young adults (ages 18 to 30) and adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming. We utilize evidence-based practices and take an integrated approach to care which is customized for the needs of each individual, addressing not only the substance use or addiction issues, but also any underlying mental health conditions (co-occurring disorders). In addition to substance abuse and co-occurring disorder treatment, we work with the whole ecosystem of an individual by providing academic & vocational support prior to every group session, weekly multi-family group sessions, weekly individual sessions, and participation in community events. Sandstone Care is state licensed and accepts most insurance providers. In addition, Sandstone Care is fully accredited by The Joint Commission for substance abuse and dual-diagnosis treatment. For more information, please visit www.SandstoneCare.com.
Sandstone Care provides substance use and co-occurring mental health treatment for young adults (ages 18 to 30) and adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming. We utilize evidence-based practices and take an integrated approach to care which is customized for the needs of each individual, addressing not only the substance use or addiction issues, but also any underlying mental health conditions (co-occurring disorders). In addition to substance abuse and co-occurring disorder treatment, we work with the whole ecosystem of an individual by providing academic & vocational support prior to every group session, weekly multi-family group sessions, weekly individual sessions, and participation in community events. Sandstone Care is state licensed and accepts most insurance providers. In addition, Sandstone Care is fully accredited by The Joint Commission for substance abuse and dual-diagnosis treatment. For more information, please visit www.SandstoneCare.com.
Recovery Life's mission is to provide a safe, comfortable, and compassionate environment while giving the best therapeutic treatment possible for those suffering from addiction.
Recovery Life's mission is to provide a safe, comfortable, and compassionate environment while giving the best therapeutic treatment possible for those suffering from addiction.
Newport Academy’s Virginia location offers treatment for boys between the ages of 12-17. Our integrated approach treats the trauma and attachment wounds underlying teen mental health and behavioral issues, such as anxiety, depression, & eating disorders. We address these root causes through comprehensive, solution-focused treatment that involves the entire family in the healing process. To support our teens and their families in achieving long-term, sustainable healing, our clinical model takes into account every aspect of a teen’s well-being—physical, psychological, relational, educational, and spiritual—so they can thrive when they return home to their families, schools, and communities. Moreover, we are committed to ongoing research on the efficacy of our treatment. To ensure that our care is truly evidence-based, we track a variety of treatment goals and commission rigorous third-party evaluations of our programming. Data gathered on our outcomes using industry-approved measurement tools shows consistent positive results in measures of well-being, depression, and anxiety, with patients’ improvements, on average, exceeding levels of clinical significance.
Newport Academy’s Virginia location offers treatment for boys between the ages of 12-17. Our integrated approach treats the trauma and attachment wounds underlying teen mental health and behavioral issues, such as anxiety, depression, & eating disorders. We address these root causes through comprehensive, solution-focused treatment that involves the entire family in the healing process. To support our teens and their families in achieving long-term, sustainable healing, our clinical model takes into account every aspect of a teen’s well-being—physical, psychological, relational, educational, and spiritual—so they can thrive when they return home to their families, schools, and communities. Moreover, we are committed to ongoing research on the efficacy of our treatment. To ensure that our care is truly evidence-based, we track a variety of treatment goals and commission rigorous third-party evaluations of our programming. Data gathered on our outcomes using industry-approved measurement tools shows consistent positive results in measures of well-being, depression, and anxiety, with patients’ improvements, on average, exceeding levels of clinical significance.
Sandstone Care Teen & Young Adult Treatment Center
Treatment Center, MD, LPC, LAC, CAC-lll, CSACA
Verified Verified
Rockville, MD 20852
Sandstone Care provides substance use, addiction, and mental health treatment for young adults (ages 18 to 30) and adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential Treatment, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming.
Sandstone Care provides substance use, addiction, and mental health treatment for young adults (ages 18 to 30) and adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential Treatment, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming.
Encore Outpatient Services is an addiction treatment center in Arlington, VA that offers partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and general outpatient treatment for substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and trauma. Encore also offers general outpatient programming for mental health challenges, process addiction, and trauma. Offering these various levels of care at one location and with one dedicated treatment team enables Encore to offer treatment to patients who are in various stages of change and recovery, and supports a fluid transition in the continuum of care as patients transition from one program to another. Encore works with adults of all ages (18+), and we offer flexible programming to address our patients needs and schedules. We have daytime and evening groups, including art therapy, psychodrama experiential groups, psychoed and skills group, and gender-specific process groups. In addition to individual and group therapy, we also offer in-house recovery coaching and medication management services with our medical team. We are focused on highly individualized care and creating opportunities for complete healing and laying a foundation for long term recovery.
Encore Outpatient Services is an addiction treatment center in Arlington, VA that offers partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and general outpatient treatment for substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and trauma. Encore also offers general outpatient programming for mental health challenges, process addiction, and trauma. Offering these various levels of care at one location and with one dedicated treatment team enables Encore to offer treatment to patients who are in various stages of change and recovery, and supports a fluid transition in the continuum of care as patients transition from one program to another. Encore works with adults of all ages (18+), and we offer flexible programming to address our patients needs and schedules. We have daytime and evening groups, including art therapy, psychodrama experiential groups, psychoed and skills group, and gender-specific process groups. In addition to individual and group therapy, we also offer in-house recovery coaching and medication management services with our medical team. We are focused on highly individualized care and creating opportunities for complete healing and laying a foundation for long term recovery.
See more therapy options for Gaithersburg
EMDR Treatment Centers
Who is EMDR for?
EMDR was initially developed as a treatment for individuals with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for whom memories of a deeply distressing experience can be inadvertently triggered by random everyday events. The procedure has since been applied in the treatment of many other conditions. For example, it is used by some therapists to treat anxiety disorders including panic and phobias, depression, dissociative disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and some personality disorders. It is suitable for adolescents and adults.
Why do people need EMDR?
People need EMDR as a way to manage distressing memories that in some way hamper the ability to function in the present. The procedure is believed to target the way memories are stored in the brain. Evidence indicates that past disturbing experiences cause ongoing distress because they were not adequately processed, and when such memories are triggered in the present, they are accompanied by all the emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations as the initial experience.
What problems does EMDR treat?
First and foremost, EMDR is intended as a treatment for PTSD, to defuse distressing memories that intrude on and impair everyday functioning. It is also often used to help those who are subject to panic attacks, phobias, and other forms of anxiety. In addition, EMDR has been used to treat individuals with depression, eating disorders, and personality disorders.
What happens in EMDR therapy?
First the therapist takes an individual’s history, and then the therapist and client decide which distressing experience(s) will be the target(s) of the exercise, delivered via a side-to-side visual stimulus requiring lateral eye movements. The client will be asked to activate thoughts, feelings, and any body sensations related to the troubling experience. The eye movements are said to reduce the emotional charge of the memory, so that the experience can then be safely discussed with the therapist and digested, minimizing its ability to trigger anxiety.