EMDR Therapy | What is It & How Does it Work?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a dynamic tool that is helpful for many different concerns. EMDR therapy can help those who have suffered past traumas. It can also address persistent thoughts that are getting in the way of your goals and happiness. The EMDR Peak Performance Protocol can even help you maximize your performance and push beyond your current limits. In short, EMDR helps you rewire your brain so that you can more easily reach your goals – whatever they may be.

What makes EMDR therapy in Texas work?

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing or EMDR is a technique that allows the brain to rewire the way it thinks and perceives memories. Most often, this is in response to a traumatic event or a series of repeated traumas. When our bodies encounter something traumatic, our fear response is triggered. Then, when the fear response is on, the amygdala turns on and we react in one of three ways: fight, flight, or freeze. During these moments, our memories become jumbled and the brain has a tough time distinguishing the dangerous memories from the safe ones.

When our brain processes the traumatic memory and everything is jumbled. The memory and anything else associated with it will become a trigger for the emotions we are experiencing during the event. This is why our body can have such a visceral response to certain memories. Once the memory has been stored, the body doesn’t discriminate – whether you are recalling an awkward moment from 6th grade math class or a traumatic event, the body will remember and experience emotions that are in line with the way it was processed the first time.

EMDR therapy works by eliciting these memories and utilizing eye movement to reprocess the memories. You can do this with eye movements, tapping, or other less-visual methods. Over the course of each session, the mind will respond less and less to the memory or the thought. You are essentially re-learning how to think about and process memory.

EMDR allows the brain to untangle the original memories and associated emotions/beliefs. This untangling allows the person to remember the experience without re-triggering old survival responses.

EMDR will change the experience of the memory itself.

How do we know EMDR works?

EMDR is heavily researched and studied. Since its creation by psychologist Francine Shapiro around 1989, over 20,000 practitioners have been trained to perform EMDR. The American Psychological Association has a great collection of case studies demonstrating the efficacy of EMDR. At the Well House, many lives changed have been as a result of the EMDR protocols.

Who are the best candidates for EMDR Therapy in Southlake, TX?

Depending on your situation, you can use EMDR in conjunction with traditional talk therapy or in place of talk therapy. Many EMDR studies have been with individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Since its inception in the 1980s, therapists use many treatment protocols to treat a variety of needs beyond PTSD. EMDR can help with:

• Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
• Chronic Illness and medical issues
• Depression and bipolar disorders
• Dissociative disorders
• Eating disorders
• Grief and loss
• Pain
• Performance anxiety
• Personality disorders
• PTSD and other trauma and stress-related issues
• Sexual assault
• Sleep disturbance
• Substance abuse and addiction
• Violence and abuse

Another use for EMDR Therapy: Peak Performance Protocol

EMDR for performance works in your mind to identify and reprogram the negative emotions and beliefs that are holding you back. The EMDR for Peak Performance protocol takes these principles and applies them towards amplifying your performance potential. Whether you are an athlete looking to get an edge on your competition or an entrepreneur looking to maximize your mind, EMDR therapy in Texas is a great way to do so. Emotions can hold us back in ways that we never even knew.

If you struggle with performance anxiety or have difficulty speaking in front of any large group of people, you likely have some negative beliefs running in the background of your mind. The EMDR for Peak Performance protocol can help you break down the fears and resistance to public speaking. Your counselor will walk you through a process that begins with identifying the negative beliefs and fears that are holding you back.

When finished with the peak performance protocol, you will have a new way of seeing yourself.

You will feel confident and no longer fear public speaking and will be able to perform at your best no matter the situation.

For athletes, past injuries can lead to hesitation and can get in the way of you performing at the highest level. When you get to a certain level in your sport, the difference between good and great often comes down to your mental game. The Peak Performance protocol will strategically target the areas that are holding you back. By working with an EMDR therapist, you will begin to think differently and perform better.

What do we offer for Online EMDR Therapy in Texas or at our office in Southlake?

The counselors at The Well House are trained to work with you using EMDR therapy techniques for anything from trauma recovery to peak performance EMDR therapy. We partner with you to help you overcome your past and to create your future. With the right support, anything is possible. Learn more about us today and contact us via text, phone call, or email to get you started on the path to better living.

If you’re dealing with performance anxiety or trauma, then working with a caring EMDR therapist can help you.  Our Southlake, Texas counseling group has caring therapists who specialize in online EMDR Therapy in Texas, or in-person in our Southlake, TX office. To begin your counseling journey, follow these simple steps:

1. ​Text, call or email The Well House
2. Meet with one of our skilled therapists
3. Start living your life in a more fulfilling way free from anxiety and healing from trauma!

Other Mental Health Services at The Well House

EDMR Therapy in Texas isn’t the only service we offer in our South Lake, TX counseling group. Other services include therapy for moms, parent coaching, EMDR for peak performance, therapy for teens, postpartum support for moms, academic coaching, career coaching for young adults, marriage counseling and couples therapy, young adult therapy, and for LPC Interns and Associates looking to complete their licensure requirements we offer clinical supervision in Texas. All of our services are offered via online therapy in Texas and we have limited in-person options. When you’re ready, begin therapy and start living in a healthy and more fulfilling way.