Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an interactive therapy for mental health challenges. As the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) notes, traditionally, EMDR therapy has offered relief for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions. However, EMDR therapy has evolved to support healing and recovery in a variety of individual and co-occurring challenges. Some of the conditions EMDR therapy has evolved to treat include phobias, anxiety, panic attacks, and trauma-related pain. Furthermore, trauma and trauma-related pain have a strong link to substance abuse. Thus, EMDR can be an invaluable psychotherapy to support dual diagnosis treatment and other comprehensive, evidence-based treatment programs.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,” around 70% of people will have traumatic experiences, but only 5.6% will develop PTSD. Furthermore, the VA notes, around 6 out of every 100 people will have PTSD at some point in their lives. Although 6% may sound like a small number, it represents millions of people living with significant impairment to their well-being. Therefore, access to evidence-based psychotherapy and trauma-informed modality tools is vital to healing and long-term recovery. Yet, what exactly is EMDR therapy?
EMDR therapy is a structured psychotherapy in which patients briefly focus on their traumatic memories while receiving bilateral stimulation. Through bilateral stimulation and recall in a supportive and safe setting, patients can reduce the vividness and emotional distress attached to traumatic memories. Moreover, in EMDR therapy, patients move their eyes in specific ways while they process distressing memories, thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. At Spark Wellness, our EMDR therapy in Portland, Oregon, is a clinically researched and evidence-based treatment method for healing from past trauma and PTSD. Through EMDR therapy, you can process triggers for negative beliefs, emotions, and responses to reduce distress, while promoting sustained recovery.
EMDR therapy is a safe and effective psychotherapy that has been around since 1987. Thus, EMDR therapy has been supporting positive change for healthy life transitions and well-being for almost 40 years. The pain of past trauma and the fear of seeking help are understandably overwhelming, but recovery is possible. Adverse life experiences that contribute to trauma-related symptoms like flashbacks and panic attacks significantly impact your thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. As a result, you can get caught up in an unhealthy cycle of maladaptive coping strategies that impede your well-being.
Unhealthy coping mechanisms from traumatic events leave little room for self-compassion and contribute to low self-esteem, along with other challenges. Thus, when past traumatic experiences are not properly processed, they fester and create issues in your life and relationships long after the traumatic event. Yet, you may question how engaging in specific eye movements supports positive change and lasting recovery from past trauma. Our EMDR therapy in Portland is based on addressing stuck trauma through somatic body sensations. Working with an EMDR therapist, you can gain the tools in EMDR training to heal and thrive in your life.
Whether you are experiencing challenges with PTSD, complex trauma, or nervous system issues from somatic body sensations, you can recover. The WHO notes that up to 40% of people can recover from PTSD within a year with evidence-based treatment and a licensed professional counselor. You can process trauma and learn how to find self-compassion, growth, and healing in our program for EMDR therapy in Portland, Oregon.
EMDR in Portland is an important modality for treatment because past trauma often gets trapped in the body. Stuck trauma can manifest as distressing somatic body sensations and maladaptive coping strategies like substance abuse and eating disorders. Thus, PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms are born out of inadequately processed distressing memories from traumatic experiences. Your unprocessed traumatic memories house the negative beliefs, emotions, thoughts, and somatic body sensations that manifest as distressing trauma-related symptoms. Through EMDR therapy, your EMDR therapist will incorporate the use of eye movements and rhythmic left-right bilateral stimulation, like tones and taps, to help change the way memories are stored in your brain.
When your distressing memories can be properly processed and stored, you can reduce or eliminate distressing trauma symptoms. Moreover, you learn how to pay attention to the back-and-forth movement or sound of bilateral stimulation to effect positive change. For instance, the movement of your therapist's finger, a flashing light, or a beeping tone acts as your focus point. By focusing on the back-and-forth movement or sound, you recall distressing memories without getting overwhelmed by them. When you are not overwhelmed, you can shift the way you experience your traumatic memories and effectively process those memories.
EMDR therapy is a comprehensive psychotherapy that addresses memories, current triggers, and future challenges. Utilizing the structure of the sides of the brain, we can understand how your mind processes information and memories. Understanding how memory is stored in the brain can help reduce the pain and distress of a past traumatic event.
.jpg)
At Spark Wellness, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive and evidence-based care that meets you where you are. Through our holistic in-person and telehealth treatment services, each patient can find the support needed to alleviate symptoms and support positive change in their daily lives. Every member of our care team is licensed or certified in their field and well-versed in trauma-informed care to offer highly skilled and compassionate care in a safe environment.
Our clinicians conduct thorough assessments to understand each patient's specific trauma and needs to heal. Through our comprehensive assessments, we can also place you in the level of care that will best support you. Then we can pair you with an EMDR therapist to ensure a personalized EMDR therapy plan tailored to your unique needs.
Traumatic experiences are understandably overwhelming. As a result, thinking about your traumatic memories can feel unbearable, which makes the thought of talking about distressing memories even more daunting. However, in EMDR therapy, you do not have to speak in great detail about your traumatic memories. Instead, during an EMDR session, more focus is placed on changing the way you feel, think, and respond to your trauma. During your EMDR session, your therapist helps you restore the natural healing process by reprocessing how traumatic memories are stored in the brain to reduce the emotional impact of the trauma.
Yet, how does EMDR therapy help you reprocess distressing memories without having to discuss your traumatic experiences in great detail? Your brain is connected to your body through your nervous system, which acts as a network that relays information to different parts of your body. At the same time, the mind is what is born out of the processes of the physical brain. The mind is the collection of all your thoughts, emotions, experiences, memories, and beliefs.
Your mind relies on your brain's structure of communication networks throughout the body to send, receive, and process information and memories, like how the smell of peach pie reminds you of summers at your grandma's house. Therefore, the traumatic memories in your mind are processed through your brain and sent out to the rest of your body to manifest as somatic body sensations, illness, mental health conditions, and unhealthy behaviors like substance abuse. Through the connection to the senses like sight and sound, you can reprocess traumatic experiences to be recalled like your non-traumatic memories.
EMDR therapy is based on eight phases that occur over several sessions. Each EMDR session typically lasts for 60 to 90 minutes. However, each patient's needs and experiences are unique to them, so your EMDR sessions will be tailored to you. Some patients may need three to six sessions, eight to 12 sessions, or more, depending on their specific needs.
In some cases, EMDR intensives may be appropriate for a patient. EMDR intensives are a concentrated version of EMDR therapy that is designed to support accelerated healing and symptom relief. Through EMDR intensives, a patient may participate in fewer sessions, but for a longer length of time during those sessions. Listed below are the eight phases of treatment you can experience in EMDR therapy and EMDR intensives:
Our dedicated team at Spark Wellness provides ongoing support throughout the trauma therapy process. Through every step of your treatment, we are here to help you navigate your recovery journey. With a wide range of holistic and educational support services like dual diagnosis, telehealth, and alumni services, you can thrive at every stage of recovery. Continuous support is essential for achieving long-term success in EMDR therapy and other treatment programs. Are you ready to transform your life and break free from trauma and substance abuse?
Let us help you spark the healing you need for positive change in your life. Life transitions in general can be daunting, and making the shift from living in a place of trauma to healing can feel like an impossible feat. We are here to remind you that you are not alone in this journey. EMDR in Portland, OR, guided by our compassionate care team at Spark Wellness, will help you achieve lasting transformation. Embrace a brighter future and start your journey to profound healing and recovery now.
EMDR therapy may be a good fit for you if the challenges you experience stem from traumatic experiences. Effective EMDR therapy will not re-traumatize you or leave you feeling overwhelmed by your emotions. However, it is important to evaluate if you are ready to do the necessary work for this type of psychotherapy. Our care team will walk with you on this journey to determine if EMDR therapy is right for you.
EMDR therapy may be a good fit for you if the challenges you experience stem from traumatic experiences. Effective EMDR therapy will not re-traumatize you or leave you feeYes, we accept Anthem, Cigna, CareSource, Aetna, and Tricare. We also offer options for self-pay, financing, and payment plans. During the admissions process, we will help you with a free insurance verification.
Our EMDR therapy in Portland offers individualized treatment plans, tailored to your unique experiences and needs. At Spark Wellness, we are dedicated to providing trauma-informed, holistic, and evidence-based care that addresses primary mental health and dual diagnosis concerns. Are you ready to spark positive change in your life? Call us at (971) 359-4753 to learn how you can start living from a place of healing instead of trauma.
These numbers aren’t just statistics—they’re proof of transformation, healing, and hope made possible through Spark Wellness.
Let these results inspire your own. Get in touch with Spark Wellness and take the next step toward healing. Contact us
Spark Wellness provides evidence-based, client centered substance abuse treatment. Our facility is meticulously designed to produce comfort, relaxation, and freedom from the overwhelming stressors of daily life.
Have a concern about patient safety or quality of care?
You can contact The Joint Commission directly:
Phone: 1-800-994-6610
Email: patientsafetyreport@jointcommission.org
Website: www.jointcommission.org
Mail:
The Office of Quality and Patient Safety
The Joint Commission
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
You may file a concern without fear of retaliation.
Spark Wellness supports your right to speak up for safety.
Posted in accordance with accreditation standards.
