What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. The TLDR about this is that we use back and forth movements (could be your eyes, sounds, or taping side to side) to help your brain get into a reprocessing mode. This brings our brains to a mindful state that allows for reprocessing and desensitization of negative emotions. EMDR is likely unlike any other type of therapy that you have ever heard of because you do not speak very much. It’s not talk therapy, it’s well reprocessing therapy. That said, your therapist will check-in on you from time-to-time and ask you what you are noticing. This is just to make sure that you are processing effectively and not getting stuck or anything. During processing you may notice memories, thoughts, feelings, and body sensations all of this is normal and helps to reprocess.
What does reprocessing look like? Well, usually clients describe a strong sense of a new belief that emerges without therapist intervention. Others describe the negative memories fading away or becoming easier to look at. After EMDR many describe feeling more confident, less burdened, and have a reduction in anxiety, trauma and depression symptoms. In some rare cases EMDR may not work for you or you may dissociate and you will need to work with an EMDR therapist that specializes in dissociation. Audrey Meacham is an EMDRIA Approved EMDR Therapist and is currently under supervision to become EMDRIA Certified. Audrey’s EMDR specializations include dissociation, complex trauma (C-PTSD) and sexual assault.
In Florida and ready to learn more? Reach out to Audrey Meacham, LCSW at audrey@willowtherapyframework.com for a free consultation.
What is DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an effective and evidence based therapy that originated in the 80’s and 90’s by Marsha Linnehan. DBT has 4 sections including Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance skills.
Each of these sections work together to create a foundation that prepares you to tackle any emotional problem. Including taking on your personal demons.
Mindfulness is the first section for a reason. DBT is founded on the idea that you are coming from a place of intentional and balanced point of view. Sometimes it can be tempting to make decisions from pure emotion or all logic and this can be problematic.
From there DBT can help with strengthening your relationships. This can look like setting boundaries, having hard conversations or even just keeping your own self-respect.
The next DBT section is Emotion Regulation, these skills can help you to recognize your emotions, learn when you’re responding to the current situation or from a past one and then decide how to respond mindfully.
The final DBT section is Distress Tolerance and this can help with those moments of total overwhelm when nothing else will help. These skills can help with panic attacks, meltdowns and impulsive behaviors. The other thing that is discussed her is acceptance and that sometimes things just suck and that this is not a disaster.