The opened emotional wound is transformed into a scar of strength.ĮMDR therapy includes focusing on the past traumatic experience, its present-day triggers, and its associated emotions. Instead of feeling unease or fear of the past event, the individual will feel a sense of strength for overcoming such a traumatic event. This rapid eye movement approach allows new internal associations to form so the individual can process memories and disturbing feelings on an emotional level where empowerment and strength replace the fear and anger. The individual visually tracks the therapist’s hand as it moves horizontally back and forth across the individual’s field of vision. The therapist determines which traumatic memory to trigger first and asks the individual to hold this specific memory and associated symptoms in mind. EMDR includes brief, interrupted exposures to the traumatic event, eye movement tracking, and recall of feelings and emotions associated with the traumatic event. Educating individuals on normal reactions to traumaĮye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an eight-phase treatment technique that is used by therapists.
Teaching individuals how to breathe in order to manage anxiety and stress.Exposure therapy, a technique where the individual is exposed to the fearful traumatic trigger without any danger in order to overcome their distress.Common elements of cognitive behavioral therapy include: Relaxation techniques are taught during the sessions and homework is assigned to the individual so they can practice confronting their triggers of anxiety outside their therapy sessions.
Through a series of multiple sessions, the individual is asked to imagine and describe the traumatic event and its consequences and to focus on the negative associations until they subside overtime. These can then be replaced with more accurate and less negative thoughts. This initial cognitive process allows the individual to acknowledge the events and their symptoms and, through behavioral modifications, work to release irrational feelings regarding the traumatic event. This technique begins by educating the individual about their symptoms and teaching them to recognize the rationale behind these symptoms. Reduce behaviors that restrict daily life and impair functioningĬognitive behavioral therapy targets the negative thoughts associated with the traumatic experience-and the associated negative feelings-in order to desensitize the individual to the trauma-related triggers.