EMDR Therapy San Diego | San Diego Coastal Mental Health

EMDR therapy in San Diego at San Diego Coastal Mental Health is one of the latest mental health treatment options available. This evidence-based treatment is designed to help individuals who are struggling with trauma, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Our skilled therapists help clients process their distressing thoughts and experiences while learning healthier coping mechanisms. We strive to support our clients on their journey of healing and improved mental well-being with a caring and compassionate approach personalized to their specific needs.

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What Is EMDR Therapy?

Dr. Fracine Shapiro discovered EMDR therapy in 1989 and designed it to help people heal from unresolved traumatic experiences and PTSD. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy helps clients process their traumatic thoughts and experiences in a controlled and safe environment and alleviates any emotional distress associated with their memories.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulations, such as eye movements, light, and hand-tapping, to help activate specific areas within the brain where traumatic memories are stored. The idea is to stimulate the brain to enter the REM (rapid eye movement) stage, usually experienced during deeper stages of sleep that trigger dreams. REM and dreaming are how our brain processes events and help resolve distress and trauma when it is too difficult to process while awake.

EMDR therapy is a non-invasive and painless treatment option. Most people report experiencing a reduction in symptoms after a few sessions, including reduced nightmares, flashbacks, and anxiety.

How Does EMDR Therapy in San Diego Work?

EMDR therapy in San Diego uses various methods based on which ones work best for each individual. Our therapists could use hand taps, lights, or direct eye movements while talking to individuals about the trauma that has impacted their mental health and well-being. Their therapists will guide them during each session to replace negative feelings and emotions with positive ones. This helps reduce anxiety, stress, and other emotions tied to the traumatic event.

Phases of EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy consists of eight distinct phases as follows:

History-taking and treatment planning: The therapist gathers information about the client’s history and current symptoms to develop an individualized treatment plan.
Preparation: The therapist works with the individual to teach them coping strategies and relaxation techniques to use when processing their traumatic memories.
Assessment: Working collaboratively, the therapist and individual identify specific events, memories, or other issues to target during EMDR sessions.
Desensitization: This is the core component of EMDR therapy. This phase involves reprocessing traumatic memories while focusing on alternating bilateral stimulation.
Installation: In this phase, positive beliefs or reaffirming self-statements are incorporated into the memory reprocessing to strengthen adaptive coping skills.
Body scan: Individuals are guided to notice any physical sensations they are experiencing as related to the targeted memory being processed. This helps them further process any lingering effects of the trauma.
Closure: Each EMDR session concludes with learning stabilizing techniques to ensure the individual feels grounded before they leave therapy.
Reevaluation: While the individual is practicing their stabilizing techniques, their therapist inquires about any changes they have experienced, such as lowered stress and anxiety levels associated with the traumatic memory. They also help the person identify other targeted memories and issues to focus on during future sessions.

What Mental Health Disorders Can EMDR Therapy Help?

EMDR therapy was initially developed to help people address trauma and PTSD. People who have unresolved traumatic experiences or PTSD often relive the event over and over. Whether through nightmares or flashbacks, they experience a wide range of negative emotions, such as fear, worthlessness, sadness, shame, guilt, and self-blaming.

People with these conditions who have received EMDR often notice their symptoms have reduced significantly after several sessions. For some people, continued sessions help them achieve total symptom cessation. Other mental health disorders EMDR therapy can help include:

Anxiety Disorders: EMDR can be beneficial in treating a wide range of anxiety disorders and helps reduce anxiety levels and associated stress.
Depression: EMDR has been found to help people uncover negative emotions and thoughts that are contributing to their depression and process them for a reduction in symptoms.
Dissociative disorders: People with dissociative disorders can benefit from EMDR to improve their sense of self-integration.
Substance use disorders: EMDR is beneficial in treating substance use disorders to help uncover triggers and other issues contributing to addiction.
Phobias: EMDR can help individuals desensitize their fear responses associated with specific phobias through memory reprocessing techniques.

In addition, EMDR is beneficial in treating chronic pain, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, grief and loss, personality disorders, and physical and sexual abuse.

How We Incorporate EMDR Therapy in Our Mental Health Treatment Programs

At San Diego Coastal Mental Health, we incorporate EMDR therapy into our personalized and comprehensive mental health treatment programs. Here is what you can expect when you include EMDR in your treatment plan:

Initial assessment: A thorough evaluation will be performed to determine if EMDR could benefit your mental health treatment needs and goals.
Treatment planning: Based on the initial assessment, a personalized care plan is created that includes EMDR to address trauma, distressing memories, or other mental health issues and concerns.
Skills development: Prior to an EMDR session, the therapist works with you to develop effective skills to be used during sessions when processing memories.
Target identification: With your therapist, you will identify specific targets or memories to work on during sessions.
EMDR sessions: You will then start your EMDR sessions under the guidance of our licensed and trained therapists.
Ongoing monitoring and adjustments: Progress in EMDR is monitored, and adjustments are made that best fit your treatment goals and objectives.
Integration with other therapeutic modalities: Your comprehensive treatment plan will include other therapeutic modalities that benefit your healing and recovery.

Begin EMDR Therapy in San Diego Today

Take the first step toward healing and improved mental health with EMDR therapy in San Diego. At San Diego Coastal Mental Health, our caring and compassionate therapists work with you to help you resolve trauma and other negative thoughts and behaviors in a safe and supportive environment. Visit our admissions page today to begin your transformative journey and path to a brighter future.

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