EMDR Therapy Near You in North Carolina
Take the first step towards healing
When something happens that shocks or overwhelms the body’s nervous system, the brain doesn’t always process the experience as a “normal” memory. Instead, the memory might get stuck and continue to trigger intense emotional responses, even long after the experience occurred. For a lot of people living with trauma, any reminder of the experience—no matter how subtle—can result in feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, panic, and dysregulation. EMDR “unsticks” those memories.
What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy, also known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a type of therapy that helps clients process and heal from distressing memories. Initially developed as a trauma-focused approach to help people struggling with acute symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), EMDR can also be useful in the treatment of:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief and loss
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Chronic Pain
- Any form of trauma or distress, including relational issues, chronic stress, and challenging life transitions
At Wake Counseling, we have multiple therapists on staff who specialize in EMDR. Whether you’re new to therapy or are interested in going deeper than conventional talk therapy, we are confident that EMDR can offer you the healing approach you’ve been looking for.
How Does EMDR Treatment Work?
EMDR works by gently recalling a traumatic event while simultaneously implementing back-and-forth visual, physical, or auditory movement, which is also known as bilateral stimulation. Through bilateral stimulation, a traumatic memory loses some of its sharp edges and can get reprocessed more peacefully. While EMDR doesn’t “erase” memories, it is highly effective in making those memories feel less intense and upsetting.
Is EMDR Therapy Effective?
EMDR is the most effective treatment for PTSD when done alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). [1] And when compared to medication use for symptoms of PTSD, close to 90 percent of clients no longer met the criteria for PTSD after eight sessions of EMDR, as opposed to 58 percent using medication alone. [2]
There has been a lot of research done on this therapy since its development in the 1980s. Many internationally renowned psychological organizations, including the American Psychological Association (APA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), recognize EMDR as a safe and effective treatment for a range of mental health concerns.
Furthermore, EMDR is generally quicker than conventional talk therapy. While approaches like CBT are helpful for “thinking through” challenges, EMDR targets stress in the nervous system, leading to faster results. In some cases, only 3 to 6 EMDR sessions were necessary for facilitating deep, lasting relief. [3]
Contact EMDR Counselors Near You in North Carolina Today
Our therapists began pursuing advanced training in EMDR because we saw firsthand the significant benefits it offered to clients on their healing journey.
We understand how intense it can be living with trauma; sometimes, it’s too overwhelming and vulnerable to find words for a painful experience. EMDR is a safe, gentle way to approach those memories without having to recount everything out loud or in specific detail. Along the way, you are likely to develop lifelong coping and regulation skills, foster more positive self-beliefs, and gain deeper insights into your patterns.
It is possible to work through stuck trauma, anxiety, and harmful patterns in a way that’s both efficient and curative. As a therapy that rewires how you think, feel, and respond to distressing memories, EMDR can improve your life from the inside out.
Relief is Possible with EMDR Psychotherapy in NC
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the therapy approaches used at Wake Counseling to help clients process stress and trauma. For more information about EMDR or to get scheduled with one of the EMDR therapists available through our practice, contact us.
Resources
[1] https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003388.pub3/full
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Find An EMDR Therapist in North Carolina Today!
Ellen Kuehl
LCSW, LCAS
Call or Text: 984-777-8786, HOLLY SPRINGS
Echo Blum
LCSW, LCAS
Call or Text: 984-205-9971, Holly Springs
Rebecca Reed
MS, NCC, LCMHC
Call or Text: 984-204-7158, RALEIGH
Alexis Schulman
MS, LCMHC - Team Lead
Call or Text: 984-833-3274, Raleigh
Daija Edwards
MS, LMFTA
Call or Text: 984-204-6459, Raleigh, Wake Forest
Ambri Williams
NCC, LCMHCA - Team Lead
Call or Text: 984-833-2384, Cary
Caitlin Searl
MSW, LCSWA - Peer Support
Call or Text: 984-205-2332, Cary, Holly Springs
Lisa Wilsey
LCSWA
Call or Text: 984-789-5430, CARY & HOLLY SPRINGS
Lloyd Osterhout
LCMHCA
Call or Text: 984-204-6360, CARY, HOLLY SPRING
Samuel Collis
LCMHCA
Call or Text: 984-208-2517, RALEIGH, WAKE FOREST
Madi Blais
MS, LCMHCA, NCC
Call or Text: 984-204-6388 ext. 736, Raleigh
Warren Gibbs
LCSWA
Call or Text: 984-328-5987 CARY, MORRISVILLE
Caroline Cody Irving
MSW, LCSWA
Call or Text: 919-647-4600, RALEIGH & WAKE FOREST
Noelle Shimazu
LMFTA
Call or Text: 984-333-5936, RALEIGH & MORRISVILLE
Kevin Varner
LCMHC
Call or Text: 984-789-3173, RALEIGH & WAKE FOREST
Kaitlyn Thompson
MSW, LCSWA
Call or Text: 984-777-8291, WAKE FOREST & HOLLY SPRINGS
Samuel Franklin
MSW, LCSWA
Call or Text: 984-202-8067, CARY & HOLLY SPRINGS
Katelyn J. Stephenson
MSW, LCSWA
Call or Text: 984-205-4534 HOLLY SPRINGS & CARY
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