You have probably tried CBT for anxiety. You’ve probably tried medication for depression. You’ve probably tried working out, going out, changing jobs, medication, apps on your phone, etc. You may have even tried an “uh huh, tell me more” kind of therapy.
But they aren’t working or aren’t working well enough. And whose fault is that?
IT IS NOT YOURS! It is the therapist’s for not helping you manage these symptoms better. Yes, it takes time but when therapists don’t offer EMDR therapy for anxiety and depression, they are not serving you well.
DCNE offers EMDR Therapy. Our Director has the highest level of certification available. We know how to use EMDR effectively.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can help adults with anxiety and depression effectively manage their symptoms. EMDR has shown positive results in treating various mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, by facilitating the processing of traumatic memories and promoting emotional healing.
Here are five ways EMDR Therapy can specifically benefit adults in Washington, DC, who are dealing with anxiety and depression.
Five Ways EMDR Therapy Helps with Anxiety
- Targeted Approach: EMDR focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of anxiety, such as traumatic events or distressing experiences. We will use it to process specific memories or triggers that contribute to anxiety symptoms. This allows you to process and reframe experiences effectively.
- Stress Reduction: EMDR incorporates bilateral stimulation techniques, such as eye movements, taps, or sounds, which have been found to alleviate stress and promote relaxation. By using these guided movements during therapy sessions, you are likely to quickly decrease your anxiety. You’ll also learn how to manage stress more effectively.
- Cognitive Restructuring: EMDR helps you reframe negative thoughts and beliefs associated with your anxiety. By engaging in guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation techniques, you can disrupt the automatic negative thought patterns and replace them with more positive and adaptive thoughts. This cognitive restructuring can contribute to a reduction in anxiety symptoms and enhance overall well-being.
- Emotional Regulation: EMDR helps you develop skills to regulate emotions effectively. Through the therapeutic process, you can learn to identify and manage overwhelming emotions associated with anxiety, such as fear, panic, or restlessness. This improved emotional regulation enables you to navigate your professional and personal lives with greater resilience and stability.
- Self-Empowerment: EMDR can empower you by providing you with a sense of control and mastery over your anxiety symptoms. By actively participating in the therapy process, you can gain a deeper understanding of your anxiety triggers. You will also develop strategies to manage your symptoms. This sense of self-empowerment fosters confidence and a more positive outlook on your ability to overcome anxiety.
Five Ways EMDR Therapy Helps with Depression
- Processing Traumatic Events: EMDR can help you if you’re struggling with depression. It does this by providing a process for addressing traumatic events or negative life experiences. By reprocessing these memories, you can reduce the emotional distress associated with them. This leads to a decrease in depressive symptoms and an improved overall mood.
- Enhancing Self-Awareness: EMDR gently encourages you to explore the underlying causes of depression. It also helps identify patterns or triggers that contribute to your symptoms. Through this heightened self-awareness, you can gain insights into your emotional states. It also helps you develop strategies to effectively manage and cope with depressive episodes.
- Building Positive Coping Skills: EMDR equips you with valuable coping skills to navigate the challenges associated with depression. By engaging in guided bilateral stimulation techniques during therapy sessions, you can develop healthy strategies for regulating emotions, managing stress, and promoting self-care. These skills are necessary at work and in relationships.
- Improving Self-Esteem: EMDR can help boost your self-esteem if depression takes that away from you. By addressing negative beliefs about yourself that contribute to low self-worth, EMDR therapy promotes the development of a more positive self-perception. This improved self-esteem can lead to increased motivation, greater resilience, and a more optimistic outlook on life.
- Promoting Emotional Healing: EMDR facilitates emotional healing by enabling you to process and release negative emotions associated with depression. Through the therapeutic process, you can experience a reduction in feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and emptiness. This ultimately leads to an improved mood and an enhanced sense of well-being.
Begin EMDR Therapy in Washington, DC
Don’t settle for “over-the-counter” therapy for anxiety and depression. Contact us today for your free anxiety consultation. We show you we are trustworthy by giving away free consults, even if you decide not to work with us. You can book your consultation on our website, by texting us at 202-998-ADHD (2343), or by emailing [email protected]. Untreated or under-treated anxiety and depression are hard enough. Let us make this easier for you.
Other Services Offered by The Center for Neurocognitive Excellence in Washington, DC
EMDR therapy for anxiety and depression is only one of the services we offer. We also provide counseling for ADHD and Neurofeedback Training. We also provide mental health assessments if you need a diagnosis or aren’t ready to start counseling. Neurofeedback is also a great option if you don’t want to try medications.