What We Treat

EMDR Therapy in Arlington

Trauma, whether from the past or present, can affect every aspect of your life. It can leave painful scars that can be hard to heal by yourself, making it seem as though you’re trapped in a constant cycle of reliving that traumatic event over and over again, especially when something you see, hear, or smell takes you back to those terrifying moments.

We understand that it can be very hard to carry the burden that comes from going through an unwanted and painful experience. That’s why we offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to adults, adolescents, and children living in Arlington, VA.

Our trauma therapists use the research-backed method of EMDR to help you reprocess the traumatic memories stored in your brain, helping you heal from the symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety that come from any kind of past traumatic experiences such as violence, sexual assault, or childhood trauma.

With the help of EMDR Therapy, your life will no longer be ruled by trauma. Your relationships will start to improve, those memories will no longer bother you, and you will finally find relief from unwanted thoughts and feelings.

If you’re ready to close the door on your past and open up a new door for your future, the Counseling Center of Virginia® is here to help.

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How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR therapy is an 8-phase treatment modality, each designed to help you move past trauma and emotional pain.

Here’s how each step will support your healing process:

History-Taking: In this phase, you get to know your therapist and share your past memories and current struggles you’d like to work through. This happens in a safe and non-judgmental space.
Preparation: Your therapist will introduce you to the EMDR process and equip you with the tools and techniques for active healing during and between sessions.
Assessment: Here, you and your therapist will identify the specific event, thought, or feeling associated with the negative memory you’d like to reprocess.
Desensitization: EMDR therapy uses a simple yet powerful technique to help you heal. Using bilateral stimulation techniques such as auditory, visual, and tactile stimulations, we’ll help you process the memory, significantly reducing its emotional impact and hold over you.
Installation: This is where you’ll learn how to replace traumatic memories with new positive beliefs.
Body Scan: During this phase, you’ll be asked to scan your body and share how your body feels while thinking about the traumatic event and the positive belief you’re working on.
Closure: After reprocessing, your therapist will ensure you’re feeling grounded and present. This is your time to reflect on the progress you’ve made, acknowledge your feelings about the traumatic event, and recognize the physical sense of peace you’ve achieved.
Reevaluation: At the start of each new session, we review your progress to see how far you’ve come and adjust our approach if needed. Afterward, we plan our next steps together on your healing journey.

Our EMDR therapists in Arlington, VA, are here to guide and support you as you move toward a future free from the weight of your past traumas. If you have any questions about the therapy process, feel free to reach out!

Do You Need EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy was initially developed for treating PTSD and trauma but has been found effective for a variety of symptoms.

Consider EMDR if you’re experiencing any of the following:

Anxiety
Depression
Grief and Loss
Negative Self-Beliefs
Fear
Eating disorders
Addiction and Substance Abuse
Phobias
Chronic Pain
Panic disorders
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
And much more!

While EMDR therapy has a wide range of applications, it’s important to note that it may not be suitable for everyone. EMDR isn’t recommended for individuals who have active thoughts of self-harm or suicide, are experiencing symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations or delusions, or are experiencing derealization or depersonalization.

We recommend you consult with one of our professional therapists in Arlington, VA, to find the treatment that’s right for you. You might start with other forms of therapy and then later move on to EMDR when it’s more appropriate for your situation.

How Can EMDR Therapy Help Me?

EMDR therapy can help you move forward rather than being stuck in the past by transforming the way your brain processes memories and emotions.

This process significantly reduces the emotional impact of these memories, which leads to a decrease in symptoms like anxiety, stress, and depression. Essentially, EMDR helps in rewiring the brain’s reaction to past traumas, since trauma often causes the signals between the different parts of your brain to stop working properly. The tools and strategies we give you will help your brain process traumatic memories in a healthier and less stressful way.

Beyond mental health, EMDR can also positively affect your physical health. Issues like chronic pain and tension are often linked to psychological stressors. By addressing these emotional issues, EMDR can help you ease physical symptoms, which will lead to an overall improvement in your quality of life.

Most importantly, it will help you find relief from the unwanted thoughts and feelings that seem overwhelming or unmanageable.

Each EMDR therapy session in Arlington, VA, is tailored to meet your unique needs. With each session, you’ll find yourself gaining strength and resilience, as you learn to process your experiences in new ways.

We will help you overcome trauma and PTSD so that you can live the life you truly deserve.

Anxiety, Panic Attacks & Phobias: Break free from the invisible barriers holding you back.
Eating Disorders: Reclaim your relationship with your body.
Pain: Address the emotional component of chronic pain for a fuller, more comfortable life
Personality Disorders: Gain deeper self-understanding and healthier ways of relating to the world.
Trauma & PTSD: Release the grip that past events have on your present and future.
Depression and Other Mood Disorders: Lift the clouds and find your joy again.
Substance Abuse and Process Addictions: Discover the underlying issues and gain control.
Attachment Wounds: Heal the relational hurts that affect your ability to connect with others.
Shame: Transform your inner critic into your own best supporter.

Booking an Appointment for EMDR Therapy in Arlington, VA

Don’t let the past hold you back any longer.

What We Treat

EMDR Therapy in Arlington