Our dedication to offering efficient and accessible behavioral health services is unwavering in a world where having access to high-quality healthcare is essential. Our Banyan Telehealth program is proud to present our virtual EMDR treatment as part of our behavioral health services. This recovery method can be experienced from the comfort of anywhere of your choosing. Whether you're someone who needs trauma-focused therapy or a college student navigating the challenges of campus life, our team is committed to your healing. Your mental health is important to us at Banyan, and we're here to help you get the support and treatment you need to live a happier, more fulfilling life.
What Is EMDR?
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is called EMDR. This method of psychotherapy was first created in the late 1980s by Francine Shapiro. Although it has also been used to address several other mental health concerns, EMDR is primarily used to assist people in processing and overcoming traumatic experiences.
The basic tenet of EMDR is that the patient concentrates on upsetting memories, ideas, or feelings while the therapist leads them through a series of bilateral stimulations, which are frequently expressed as side-to-side eye movements. It is thought that by facilitating the brain's natural information-processing mechanisms, these bilateral stimulations aid people in integrating upsetting memories in a less emotionally charged and more adaptive manner.
- Treatment history and planning: The therapist learns about the client's past and pinpoints specific memories or problems that need to be processed.
- Preparation: The therapist assists the client in creating coping mechanisms to manage distress and explains the EMDR process.
- Assessment: The client lists the positive beliefs they would like to adopt as well as the negative beliefs connected to the target memory.
- Desensitization: During bilateral stimulation, the client concentrates on the target memory. The goal of this stage is to lessen the emotional impact of the recollection.
- Installation: The negative beliefs connected to the target memory are replaced with stronger positive beliefs.
- Body Scan: The client reports experiencing physical symptoms associated with the desired problem.
- Closure: The therapist makes sure the patient is stable and offers coping mechanisms for any unresolved anxiety.
- Reevaluation: Discussing any unresolved issues and reviewing progress may be part of later sessions.
Not only has EMDR been used extensively in the treatment of PTSD, but it has also been used to treat anxiety, depression, and phobias. Research has shown that EMDR is effective, and organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA) accept it as an evidence-based treatment for trauma.
Can EMDR Be Done Virtually?
Yes, you can do EMDR virtually. Although EMDR is typically administered in person, with the client being guided through bilateral stimulations by the therapist, there have been several modifications made to the protocol to enable its delivery remotely.
EMDR sessions in telehealth usually require a video conferencing platform. Clients may be instructed to use a light bar, follow the therapist's hand movements on the screen, or perform self-guided bilateral movements (like tapping on their knees alternately) in place of receiving bilateral stimulation in person.
A variety of factors, including the client's familiarity with technology, the therapist's capacity to modify EMDR techniques, and the specifics of the trauma or issue the client is seeking treatment for, can affect how effective virtual EMDR therapy is. To guarantee the security and confidentiality of the telehealth sessions, additional ethical and privacy considerations need to be made.
When in-person sessions are not practical or convenient, many mental health professionals have effectively integrated EMDR into their telehealth practices, providing people with the option to receive this evidence-based therapy remotely. Telehealth options for different psychotherapy services, including EMDR, are expected to develop and become more widely available as technology advances.
Who Is a Good Candidate for EMDR?
While EMDR is commonly used to treat individuals who have experienced trauma, individuals who would also benefit from or who would be considered good candidates for EMDR include individuals struggling with:
- Addictions
- Anxiety
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Complicated grief
- Depression
- Dissociative disorder
- Disturbing memories
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Pain disorders
- Panic attacks
- Performance anxiety
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Sexual disorders
- Sleep
- Stress reduction
However, not everyone is a candidate for EMDR. An individual's suitability for EMDR therapy – especially doing EMDR therapy online - depends on several variables, such as their unique needs, degree of therapy readiness, and type of mental health issues. Before anyone can begin telehealth for addiction or mental illness at Banyan, our specialists conduct an assessment to ascertain whether treatments such as EMDR are suitable interventions for the individual.
EMDR Online With Banyan Treatment Centers
Because Banyan Treatment Centers recognizes the value of offering affordable and efficient mental health services, we provide EMDR virtual therapy to suit each client's individual needs. Through safe and private telehealth platforms, our skilled and certified therapists are trained to provide eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
Our virtual EMDR program is made to help anyone who needs trauma-focused therapy in the convenience of their own home, be they busy professionals or college students. Our therapists lead clients through the EMDR process in virtual sessions, assisting them in processing and reframing upsetting memories, overcoming trauma, and moving toward healing.
This online rehab program guarantees a private and safe setting for therapy sessions, enabling clients to participate without having to meet with us in person. Our virtual EMDR treatment is one of many ways that our addiction treatment facilities aim to meet the various needs of individuals seeking healing and recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. We are committed to providing high-quality mental health care that is affordable.
At Banyan, we put your health first and are always modifying our offerings to make residential and online mental health treatment more accessible. Our online EMDR therapy is intended to provide the life-changing advantages of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in a private, secure online setting.
