Anxiety can affect nearly every part of your life. You may find yourself constantly worrying, anticipating the worst, feeling on edge, or reacting strongly to situations that seem manageable to other people. While traditional anxiety therapy can be very effective, some people benefit from approaches that address the experiences and memories contributing to their anxiety. EMDR therapy is one treatment that may help.
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, was originally developed to treat trauma and PTSD. Today, therapists also use EMDR to help people process distressing experiences that may contribute to anxiety, fear, and other emotional difficulties.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is a structured form of psychotherapy that helps the brain process distressing memories and experiences. When difficult experiences are not fully processed, reminders of those experiences can sometimes continue to trigger intense emotional or physical reactions.
During EMDR therapy, a therapist helps you identify distressing memories, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations associated with them. You then engage in bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements or alternating sounds or taps, while focusing on aspects of the experience.
The goal isn’t to erase a memory. Instead, EMDR can help reduce the emotional intensity associated with the memory so that you can remember what happened without feeling as though you are experiencing it all over again.
How Can EMDR Help With Anxiety?
Anxiety doesn’t always come from one obvious traumatic event. Sometimes anxiety develops after repeated stressful experiences, difficult relationships, childhood experiences, loss, accidents, or other events that shaped the way you view yourself and the world.
For example, someone who experienced unpredictable or frightening situations growing up may become highly alert to potential danger as an adult. Even when they are safe, their nervous system may continue responding as though something bad is about to happen.
EMDR may help address some of the experiences underlying these patterns. By processing distressing memories and the beliefs connected to them, therapy may help reduce the intensity of emotional responses to current triggers.
Some people notice improvements such as:
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Less intense fear or worry
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Reduced emotional reactions to specific triggers
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Greater sense of safety
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Fewer distressing memories or images
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Improved ability to regulate emotions
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Increased confidence and self-trust
What Types of Anxiety Can EMDR Help With?
EMDR may be particularly helpful when anxiety is connected to a specific experience or pattern of experiences. It may be used as part of treatment for anxiety related to trauma, panic, phobias, relationship experiences, medical experiences, grief, or other distressing events.
EMDR is not necessarily the right treatment for everyone with anxiety. A therapist can help determine whether EMDR, traditional talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or a combination of approaches makes the most sense for your individual needs.
What Happens During EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy typically begins with preparation rather than immediately asking you to process a traumatic memory. Your therapist will learn about your history, current concerns, symptoms, and treatment goals.
You will also learn strategies for managing difficult emotions and staying grounded during treatment. Once you and your therapist determine that you are ready, you may begin processing specific memories or experiences.
You remain in control throughout the process. You do not have to share every detail of an experience for EMDR to be effective, and your therapist will work with you at a pace that feels appropriate.
Is EMDR Right for Your Anxiety?
If anxiety is interfering with your relationships, work, sleep, or everyday life, therapy can help you understand what’s contributing to your symptoms and develop healthier ways of responding.
For some people, anxiety is primarily focused on present-day concerns. For others, current anxiety may be connected to experiences from the past that continue to influence how they feel and respond today. Understanding that connection can be an important part of treatment.
At Clear Mind Therapy, we provide trauma-informed therapy for adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, and other emotional challenges. Our therapists work collaboratively with clients to understand the underlying causes of their symptoms and develop an individualized treatment approach.
If you’re wondering whether EMDR could help with your anxiety, speaking with a qualified therapist is a good place to start. You don’t have to figure out on your own why you’re feeling anxious or what type of therapy is right for you. Please call or text us today (720) 515-3551 to schedule a free consultation call.