Eye Movement Therapy in Irvine

Eye movement therapy, also known as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, is a tool to help people battling a wide range of mental health disorders. It’s especially helpful for those seeking to break free from the hold of past trauma. The process encourages a person to focus on a trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (eye movements). This type of therapy aims to reduce the intensity of the memories. The process is more complex in that each session requires the same controlled eye movements. Research indicates that using eye movement therapy like this can break the memory’s hold on a person, giving them some relief from what they experience.

Over the course of 6 to 12 sessions (sometimes more), a person will work through this process. The goal is often to provide a way to break that link to the trauma a person feels. A person does not do much more than move their eyes back and forth to the left and the right or gently tap their arms or legs in left and right motions. Over some time, this helps the brain learn how to reprocess the memories it is feeling. As a result, the memories do not cause as much discomfort, anxiety, or pain.

Eye Movement Therapy Uses

The most common use of eye movement therapy is for reducing post-traumatic stress disorder. This is a condition in which a person experiences intense reactions to stimuli that reminds them of some type of traumatic event. At the time of the traumatic event, the brain did not process or work through that trauma in a meaningful manner. As a result, the individual now feels overwhelmed and even debilitated when that memory resurfaces.

In addition to this, EMDR therapy may also help in other situations. That includes situations where a person has intense anxiety about specific memories or experiences. For many people, changing the way the brain processes these events can make a big difference in a person’s quality of life.

Help from Lisa Eaton Therapy and Coaching

Learn more about how you can move beyond the pain and limitations you feel today. Meet with a dedicated and experienced therapist who can make a big difference in your future—contact us today!